Our Coaches
Steelhead Water Polo coaches all have a deep passion for water polo and working with athletes. Our goals are to continue growing the Olympic sport of water polo and to share our water polo knowledge with young players while helping them to become confident, disciplined, and competitive athletes.
John Sfingi
Club Founder, Co-Director, & High School Boys Head Coach
Background:
John grew up in Indio, California. At an early age he had a love for animals and the water. He began competitive swimming at the age of 6 and was introduced to the game of water polo as an 8th grader.
Water Polo Position:
Attacker
High School Water Polo Achievements:
1st team CIF 3A All American
2nd team All Southern Calif honors
15U Junior Olympic Champion
NISCA High School All American
Senior Athlete of the year
Collegiate Water Polo Achievements:
Played 4 years at Division II UC Davis
UC Davis Team Captain 3 years
Received 3 Sacramento Hall of Fame Awards
1st team selection at the Western Regional Championships
NCAA All-American
Inducted into the UC Davis Athletic Hall of Fame - 1993
Coaching Career:
Over 15 years coaching experience at both High School and Collegiate levels
Introductory to Water Polo summer camps for kids 6-10 years old
Outside of Water Polo:
John graduated from UC Davis with a B.S. in Animal Sciences and received a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Ross University. John went on to practice Veterinary Medicine in Idaho for 34 years. He continues to be a force in the pool as a 6 time US Masters National Champion and with 2nd and 3rd place finishes in US Masters Open Water Championships.
Lauren Todd
Club Founder, Co-Director, & Development Head Coach
Background:
Lauren grew up in Northern California where she started swimming on a local recreation summer league team at 5 years old. At 11 years old, Lauren’s summer league swim coach introduced her to water polo.
Water Polo Position:
Two-Meter
High School Water Polo Achievements:
2 time second-team All-American
3 time first-team All-League
2 time North Coast Section MVP
North Coast Section Champion Runner-up - 1997, 1998
North Coast Section Champion in 1999
2000 USA National Youth Team member
Class of 2001 Female Athlete of the Year at Marin Catholic College Prepatory High School
Collegiate Water Polo Achievements:
Recruited to play at Division I UC Berkeley
Was a team “Starter” at Two-Meter
Team Captain - Senior Year
Graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in Integrative Biology with a focus in Kinesiology.
Outside of Water Polo:
Lauren has a passion for teaching and was a private Academic Coach/Consultant and SAT/ACT Tutor for 8 years.
Scott Decker
Club Founder & High School Girls Head Coach
Background:
Scott has a wide range of experiences and accomplishments in the Aquatics world! Having been a successful leader in Aquatics for 30 years, Scott brings immense experience to Steelhead Water Polo.
Water Polo Position:
2-Meter
Collegiate Water Polo Achievements:
Played Division II Water Polo at UC Davis.
Coaching Career:
Scott began coaching in 1984 as the assistant Women’s Water Polo Coach for UC Davis.
In 1987, Scott became the Head Coach for the Men’s Water Polo and Men’s and Women’s Swimming at El Camino High School in Sacramento. There, Scott tallied over 200 wins in 10 years for the water polo team.
In 1994, Scott became the Head Coach of Women’s Water Polo at Sierra College. Two years later, Scott added to his role the title of Head Coach for Women’s Swimming and Diving. While Head Coach for both Water Polo and Swimming and Diving, Scott led Sierra College to:
Swimming and Diving
15 Conference Championships
3 finishes in the Top 3
10 time 2nd place finishes at State Swim and Dive Championships
State Champions - 2017
Over 230 Community College Swimming and Diving All-Americans
3C2A Team Scholar Award (2 Times)
Water Polo
Overall Record of 546-284-3
15 Conference Championships
8 Northern California Regional Championships
22 State Tournament Appearances
State Championship Game - 2017, 2018
CCC Women’s Water Polo State Champions - 2018
78 Community College Women’s Water Polo All-Americans
State Player of the Year - 2018
3C2A Team Scholar Award (3 Times)
Awards:
Capital Athletic League Coach of the Year - 1991, 1995
Conference Coach of the Year Awards - (Multiple)
California Community College State Coach of the Year Award - 2009, 2017 (Swimming and Diving)
Big 8 Conference Coach of the Year - 2016
CCC State Coach of the Year - 2018 (Water Polo)
4CA Coaching Achievement Award- 2026
Travis Gamble
Background:
Travis has many years experience as a coach and player. He started playing water polo at 9 years old.
Water Polo Position:
2-Meter Defense
High School Water Polo Achievements:
3 time Varsity captain
3 time first-team All-League selection
Coaching Experience:
Travis has 8 years high school water polo coaching experience as both a Head Coach and an Assistant Coach. Beyond water polo, Travis has coached multiple sports, including baseball, volleyball, track and field, and swimming.
Outside of Water Polo:
Travis studied at Sacramento State where he graduated with a BA in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Kinesiology. Travis has been certified as a Personal Trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine for over 15 years.
Development Coach