40 Ransom Everglades LOG FALL 2026 RE The Ransom Everglades boys’ water polo team concluded a historic season with a 28-3 record and appearance in the Florida High School Athletic Association Boys’ Water Polo State Championship on April 25. Despite falling short to St. Thomas Aquinas by a 14-12 score in the title game, the Raiders collected a host of impressive achievements during the 2026 season: • The team reached No. 1 in the nation in the high school water polo rankings for boys. • Attacker Jack Merrick ’26 earned Boys’ Water Polo Player of the Year honors from the Miami Herald for his 113 goals, 14 assists and 45 steals. • Coach Eric Lefebvre, who announced his retirement from coaching in August, won Boys’ Water Polo Coach of the Year. • The Raiders won the Class 1A District 14 championship, defeating Belen Jesuit 19-17. They also won the prestigious Ian Supra Memorial Tournament. • RE defeated the defending state champion Westminster Academy, 13-12, in the state semifinal at Belen Jesuit School in overtime on a dramatic no-look goal by Merrick. The Raiders outscored their opponents 458-269 while accruing 310 assists and 326 steals. Lincoln Broad ’26, Oliver Friedland ’26 and Aston Gould ’27 each contributed more than 60 goals and 50 assists. The incredible season put Ransom Everglades’ athletics in the spotlight throughout the spring. The season was a career highlight for Lefebvre, who won 10 state championships (eight with the girls’ team, two with the boys’ team) in 19 years coaching at Ransom Everglades. Pool Dominance Ransom Everglades boys’ water polo achieves top national ranking Sports All-State Scholar-Athletes Only 24 graduating seniors from across the state earned a place on Florida’s all-state team for scholar-athletes, and two Ransom Everglades seniors made the prestigious list. Sophia Linfield ’26 and Lucas Jaffee ’26 were named to the 32nd Annual Florida Dairy Farmers Academic All-State Team on April 22. The students’ selection highlights their commitment to excellence in academics and athletics. Linfield and Jaffee, both straight-A students, each received a $1,700 scholarship. Jack Merrick ’26 Sophia Linfield ’26 Lucas Jaffee ’26 Eric Lefebvre
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