In a season that easily could have been classified a “rebuilding year” for the Lindbergh High School water polo team, the Flyers impressed their fans and stunned many of their opponents.

The Flyers (15-11, 6-0 Suburban West) went undefeated in conference play en route to a Suburban West Conference champion-ship.

“We were a pretty young team and knew that we would have some up-and-down times,” head coach Tim Lombardo said. “But midway through the season, we went on a roll to win the conference. So overall, I thought we had a very good year.”

Lindbergh’s season ended in the quarterfinals of the state championships when the Flyers dropped a 7-5 decision to Marquette (20-7, 5-1 Suburban West).

The Flyers fell behind 1-0 after the first quarter, but battled back in the second quarter as Marquette held a 2-1 lead at halftime.

“I thought that we kind of came out a little flat,” Lombardo said. “I don’t know if it was flat or just our inexperience. We just could never get over that hump against them.”

Lindbergh’s Parker Finlinson finished the match with three goals and one assist. The junior driver finished the season with 63 goals, 24 assists and First-Team All-Conference honors.

“Parker is one of those guys that likes to be that go-to guy,” Lombardo said. “We needed some goals and he was definitely willing to step up in that game.”

The Flyers also received a goal and an assist from junior two-meter man Kyle Schnoring. He finished the season with 74 goals, 40 assists and a First-Team All-Conference selection.

“Kyle’s played strong for us all year long,” Lombardo said. “I wished that at times he would just take over the game be-cause he has that ability. He and Parker have to be that kind of guy for us.”

Senior driver Arvin Karibasic also scored one goal in the match for his 13th goal of the season.

“Arvin’s been a role player for us this year and he always finds a way to get a goal for us,” Lombardo said. “The first time he goes down the pool he rattles a shot off the crossbar. He’s always right in the middle of it all the time.”

With Karibasic as well as Amar Jassarevic and Teddy Key being the only seniors on this season’s team, Lombardo is looking forward to the 2009 campaign.

“I think that we’ll be strong next year,” he said. “We’ve got some young guys that can contribute from the junior varsity team and we’ll have six of our seven starters back for next season. So I think that the prospects are good for next year.”