Train with purpose. Grow with support. Compete at the highest level.

Established in 2005, Stevenson’s girls water polo program welcomes both day and boarding students of all skill levels while achieving competitive excellence at the highest level. With over 25 Upper Division participants, we’ve built a program – not just a team – that supports year-round development in a positive, inclusive environment.

Girls water polo

Meet the Coach

Jon Burke has been coaching water polo throughout Northern California for the past 25 years and in that time has established himself as one of the most successful coaches in the sport.

As a high school head coach he has developed 18 All-Americans, 8 section MVPs, dozens of all-section and all-league recipients, and has helped more than 50 girls achieve their goal of playing NCAA water polo for the top programs in the country.

Jon Burke joined the Stevenson girls water polo program as the new head coach in the fall of 2020 taking over from longtime coach Jim Fannin. He has been coaching water polo throughout Northern California for the past 25 years and in that time has established himself as one of the most successful coaches in the sport.

The 2024 USA Water Polo, Pacific Zone – Scholastic Coach of the Year, the 2017 California Girls Water Polo Coach of the Year, and the 2016 Northern California Girls Water Polo Coach of the Year, Burke’s teams have won 12 CIF section championships, 1 CIF NorCal championship, and 14 league championships. He is part of an elite group of coaches to have won CIF section championships at two different high schools (Sacred Heart Prep & Stevenson School) and between 2022-2024 he led Stevenson to 3 consecutive CIF NorCal finals appearances, a CIF NorCal championship, and back to back CIF section championships in 2022 & 2023.

From 2006-2018, Burke was the head coach at Sacred Heart Prep where the Gators captured 10 consecutive CIF section championships, a CIF record in girls water polo, 9 West Catholic Athletic League titles, and the 2016 & 2017 scholastic team championship awards. In 2015 he was recognized as the CCS Girls Water Polo Honor Coach.

As a high school head coach he has developed 18 All-Americans, 8 section MVPs, dozens of all-section and all-league recipients, and has helped more than 50 girls achieve their goal of playing NCAA water polo for the top programs in the country.

Burke is a familiar face throughout USA Water Polo as well. From 2016-2021, he was a member of the USA National Goalkeeper staff and has held various Olympic Development Program (ODP) head coaching positions, including head coach of the Pacific Zone girls cadet team that captured gold at the 2015 ODP National Championships. He has coached two Olympic champions (KK Clark & Melissa Seidemann) and national team players from the USA, Great Britain, and the Philippines. In 2006 he was recognized as the USA Water Polo, Central Zone – Development Coach of the Year. That same year he led the USA Men’s Maccabi team to the gold medal at the 2006 Pan American Maccabi Games. Burke has coached in Argentina, Canada, Spain, Croatia, and Hungary.

Burke served as an assistant coach for the UC Davis Men’s & Women’s water polo teams from 2002-2006, where he was a student-athlete and men’s team captain, scoring 17 girls in his senior season. As the women’s assistant coach, Burke helped the team capture the Western Water Polo Association championship in 2006, earning an automatic bid to NCAAs, where the team finished 5th nationally, their highest finish in program history.

Jon burke water polo

Championship Success

Team Honors: Three consecutive CIF Finals, 2022-2024; two back-to-back CIF section champions, 2023 & 2024.

Collegiate Excellence: Our athletes continue their careers at top programs including Stanford University, Cal State Long Beach and UC Davis.

  • Sienna Cimoli, 2025 – San Jose State University
  • Emmerson Ferriera, 2025 – UC Santa Barbara
  • Miranda Salinger, 2025 – UC Santa Barbara
  • Sofia Bozzo, 2023 – UC Davis
  • Olivia Garley, 2022 – Long Beach State
  • Kate Morgan, 2022 – Stanford
  • Christine Winge, 1983 – UC Berkeley
  • Carli Harman, 1994 – Colorado College

Training Advantage

At Stevenson, reliable coastal weather and an on-campus pool provide the ideal environment for consistent training — helping our athletes advance, refine and reach new levels every day.

Our structured approach develops athletes at all levels, with varsity and JV teams practicing together weekly to build program unity and mentorship opportunities.

Girls water polo

Become a Pirate

Are you a driven student-athlete with a passion for your sport? Inquire and learn more about how you can become a part of Stevenson’s legacy of success.