By day, Charlie Cutelli is known to students as a Biology, Anatomy and Physiology teacher. In the afternoons, he plays the role of varsity water polo and girls’ cross country coach.  However there is more to his story.

During Cutelli’s junior and senior years of high school, he helped Parkway South High School claim the Water Polo State Championship titles.

“I started playing [water polo] in eighth grade and played all of high school,” Cutelli said.

Cutelli was a swimmer, but his friends suggested he try the water polo.

“I like water polo because it requires a high IQ.  It’s physically challenging and it is a good team sport,” he said.

It turns out he liked it so much he continued playing even outside of the school season. Later Cutelli joined a year round club, Daisy Water Polo, to continue training.

“My debut [on the varsity team] was during my sophomore year,” Cutelli said. “I played a little bit then.”

Due to the small size of the team, Cutelli was not surprised when he was asked to play up. Despite the fact the team gradually grew, their biggest rival remained MICDS.

“The [MICDS] coach was our club coach and we knew a lot of the kids from the Daisy club,” he said.

Not only was MICDS their biggest rival, but they also played them in the second hardest game of Cutelli’s high school water polo career – the Water Polo State Championship game of 1999. The final score was 4-3 in favor 0f South.

“The hardest game I ever played in was against SLUH in the State semifinals. The final score was 6-5, us, but it was a real nail biter!” Cutelli said.

That year Parkway South won the State Championship for a second time in a game against Ladue. The final score was 10-6.  Despite the fact that it was Cutelli’s last game, he opted to remain involved with water polo.

“I wanted to coach because I liked the sport, and I had a lot of experience,” he said.

Cutelli’s love for the sport has yet to die. He still gets into the games through his animated antics on the pool deck, especially the ones against South. His old coach is still coaching, and Cutelli admits to feeling a bit of pressure during these games.

“I hate to lose to them!” he said.

Despite the fact that Cutelli hates losing to South, he does not feel that they will be Parkway West’s biggest rival in the coming season.  Instead, he has his eyes looking at another opponent.

“SLUH has always been a tough team to beat.  All of their team plays club,” Cutelli said.

Despite the ability of their opponent, Cutelli is optimistic about their chances.

“We have a pretty good team this year. I’m hoping for a top two finish, maybe a possible state title,” he said.

To any in-coming water polo hopefuls, Cutelli had some advice.

“We get so many new players with good potential, but it doesn’t help if they can’t swim well,” Cutelli said.