VOLUME 22, NUMBER 2, OCT/NOV 2007

15th Annual Speedo Cup Preview What’s Inside...

WATER POLO VOL. 22, NUM. 2, ® OCT/NOV ‘07 FLIPTURNS ON THE cover . . USA Water Polo National Office ® 2124 Main Street, Suite 210 A collage from the 2007 Letter from the CEO...... 2 The new Water Polo Flipturns . It’s fl ippin’ awesome. Huntington Beach, CA 92648 FINA Men’s Junior World (714) 500-5445 business (714) 500-5449 membership Championships. (714) 960-2431 fax Cover photos by: Jean Gould Calendar of Events...... 2 USA WATER POLO NATIONAL TRAINING CENTER 11360 Valley Forge Ave. Water Polo Times ...... 4 Los Alamitos, CA 90720 UI
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1SFWJFX (562) 799-8506 business (562) 799-8508 fax National Team Updates...... 6 WEB SITE www.usawaterpolo.org In the Club...... 18 Chief Executive Officer Christopher Ramsey Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer In the Zone...... 26 Chelsea Johnson Director of Finance and Administration Marti Torres Director of Event Production and Promotion Also In This Issue... Susan Warner Hopkins Director of Marketing and Communications Speedo Cup Preview. . . . 8 Christine Bird Manager of Marketing and Communications Greg Mescall Speedo Top 40...... 14 Director of Regional Sport Development (East) Liz Grimes 5 Meters...... 20 States include: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, North Carolina, pg Hot Shots...... 23 South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. 10 FINA Men’s FLIPTURNS® FEMALE WATER POLO SUIT FABRIC CONTENT // 85% Polyester/15% Xtra Life Lycra ® Director of Regional Sport Development (Central) Junior World Joe Linehan College Recruiting . . . . 24 States include: Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Championships Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Indiana, Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming. Tunnel to Tower ...... 28

National Teams Manager Nikki Jost Membership Services Coordinator Look Ahead... Drew Willems Next Issue Board of Directors Bradford Bowlus, Ed Reynolds, Lynn Kachmarik > Recaps and photos of the Michael Graff, Rachel Scott, William Smith Speedo Top 40, Speedo Cup, and Holiday Cup EDITOR Greg Mescall Contributors Darcy Couch, Paulo Cesar, Todd Clapper, Chris Oeding, FLIPTURNS® MALE WATER POLO SUIT Jason Lynch, Mary Sprague, Jim Cullingham, Mary Pat Robinson, Joan Gould, FABRIC CONTENT // 85% Polyester/15% Xtra Life Lycra ® Ed Haas, Greg Mitre, Lisa Reyes, Carroll Vaughan, James Lathrop, Summit Photography, Sally Olds, Jeff Shewmon, Tracy Birdsell, Kevin Burke, Anderson Family, Pete Snyder, Fotos FPN, Fotos Hugo Rocha, Mirko Seifert, Rise Wendt, Michael Duffy, Holy Kiki, Gwen Golub, Michael Machnik, George Stransky, Mike Miller, Arjan Ligtenberg, Marilyn Sagehorn PRINTING Publication Printers pg16 2001 S. Platte River Dr., Denver, CO 80223 | 303-936-0303 AGolf Preview of the 5th Annual USA Water CREATIVE Adrenalin, Inc. Polo Golf Tournament and Silent Auction 54 West 11th Ave., Denver, CO 80204 303-454-8888 | goadrenalin.com

USA Water Polo Skip Shot Magazine (ISSN# 00431311) is published four times per year by United States Water Polo, Inc., located at 2124 Main Street, Suite 210, Huntington Beach, CA 92648. Periodicals postage is paid at Colorado Springs, CO 80901-9998 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Skip Shot Magazine, United States Water Polo, Inc., 2124 Main Street, Suite 210, Huntington Beach, CA 92648 usawaterpolo.org 1

57756_USAWTRPOLO.indd 1 7/18/07 6:22:12 PM letter from the CEO

USA WATER POLO CHRISTOPHER RAMSEY

It is the duty of USA Water Polo, like its fellow National Governing Bodies in American sport, to struggle against gravity – encouraging our athletes to ascend the pyramid of competition. Selection to our Olympic teams and accepting the honor of representing our country in international competition, symbolically tied to scaling Mt. Olympus itself, has always represented the pinnacle of achievement in our sport.

Yet, with the 2008 Olympics now less than a “The most important thing in the Olympic the USA Water Polo web site and in this maga- year away, USA Water Polo recognizes the need Games is not to win but to take part, just as the zine on page 15. to flow with gravity as well as resist it. Led by the most important thing in life is not the triumph Finally, November brings us two great tourna- conviction of our men’s and women’s Olympic but the struggle. The essential thing is not to ments sponsored by Speedo – the Speedo Top 40 team coaches, we recently affirmed our orga- have conquered but to have fought well.” in Los Alamitos and the Speedo Cup in Colum- nization’s highest priority: development and Everyone at USA Water Polo is committed to bia, Missouri. Speedo Top 40 has become one of expansion of water polo for all ages across our fighting for more pool time, for more training our hottest tourneys, filling up in record time. nation. for our coaches and officials, and for more play- The Speedo Cup marks its 15th anniversary this In practical terms, this means a greater com- ing opportunities for all of our members. We year, and on this auspicious occasion, I would mitment to introductory water polo programs hope to unveil plans to achieve these goals at our like to acknowledge the work of our eleven zone for children, to high school and collegiate annual meeting in Ventura, California. chairs, who arranged the qualifying tourna- ments to choose this year’s Speedo Cup partici- programs, to our Masters program, as well as The character of the annual meeting has pants. I would particularly like to single out Stan new initiatives that will encourage exciting and changed with the transformation of our new Sprague, a champion of this event, Rick Marsh, innovative recreational leagues. This com- governance structure, and last year’s meeting our Midwest Zone chairman and his collegues, mitment means we will migrate the collec- received high marks from attendees. The new who host of this event. Thanks especially to Rick tive knowledge our national teams down the approach to our annual gathering combines and his team for their splendid work putting to- pyramid to our zones and local clubs, infusing practical workshops with open forums on a vari- gether this tournament year after year – they have our sport with the very best in teaching, train- ety of issues. In many ways, the annual meeting made it one of USA Water Polo’s crown jewels. ing and competition. is becoming a laboratory to offer and test fresh In this mission, we dedicate ourselves to the ideas for our sport, as well as an opportunity to Olympic Creed of Baron Pierre de Coubertin: talk about areas that are not working and how to Christopher Ramsey FIERCE improve them. Registration information for the Chief Executive Officer You deserve the best. Accept no imitations. Colorado Time Systems is the leader in aquatic sports timing and scoring Annual Meeting, January 25-27, is available on systems, and has been for over 30 years. We are committed to providing you with innovative training tools, unsur- passed competitive equipment, state of the art displays and excellent customer service. Our team of professionals is here to help you customize a training, competitive, scoring and display package for your facility and your team.

2007-08 For more information on our complete line of timing systems and scoreboards, call (970) 667-1000 or (800) 279-0111 CALENDAR OF EVENTS or visit www.coloradotime.com. Shop online at: http://secure.coloradotime.com. USA WATER POLO WATER USA Nov. 2-4, 2007 Dec. 5-9, 2007 Dec. 14, 2007 Women’s Speedo Top 40 Festival Holiday Cup 5th Annual USA Water Polo Golf Los Alamitos, Calif. Long Beach, Calif. Tournament Mission Viejo, Calif. Nov. 9-12, 2007 Dec. 6-9, 2007 Speedo Cup PACE International Coaches January 25-27, 2008 THERE’S NO REPLACEMENT FOR THE ORIGINAL. Columbia, Mo. Conference at Holiday Cup USAWP Annual Meeting Making Time Count Long Beach, Calif. Ventura, Calif. Dec. 1-2, 2007

Men’s NCAA Championships The display division of Colorado Time Systems

Colorado Time Systems is proud to sponsor United States Water Polo as the official scoring and timing system supplier. 2 © 2005, Colorado Time Systems News Briefs

USA WATER POLO WATER POLO TIMES USA WATER POLO ANNOUNCES TECHNICAL COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS USA Water Polo announced appointments Water Polo and he has also served as the sports June. He had previously served as an assistant for its newly formed Technical Committee psychologist for the Women’s National Team. coach since 2006. Dr. Schroeder is considered one of water polo’s all-time stand-out players. which, as its principal mission, will oversee the Jim Cullingham (National Referee Committee He captained the national team from 1983-1992 consistent interpretation and application of Chair) – Cullingham is chairman of the Na- and has coached Pepperdine University’s men’s water polo rules at all USA Water Polo sanc- tional Referees Committee. A past FINA referee, team for 20 years. Schroeder was inducted into tioned events. Cullingham has been involved with water polo the USA Water Polo Hall of Fame in 1998 and The USAWP Technical Committee will work for 30 years as a player, official and administra- was recently inducted into the International closely with the National Referee Committee tor. Swimming Hall of Fame. toward the standardization of a comprehensive Bill Frady (USA Representative, FINA TWPC, Andy Takata – Takata is a retired FINA Referee training, certification and evaluation program Chair ASUA TWPC) – Frady, a former Olympic who was selected to officiate at the 2000 Olympic while developing a plan for the improved re- and World Championship referee and member Games in Sydney, Australia. He has been active cruitment, education and retention of referees. of the U.S. Water Polo Hall of Fame, is currently for more than 30 years not only as a referee, but The group will also be charged with providing involved in the administration of the sport at he has also been instrumental in the training open and regular communication about these the international level. He is a member of the and education of referees. Takata continues to programs to all members of USA Water Polo. FINA Technical Water Polo Committee, where serve as an administrator at the collegiate level. Members of the Technical Committee have he also serves on the three-person FINA Water been appointed to two-year terms by USA Wa- Polo Referees School Committee. He is also the Ex-officio Position ter Polo Chief Executive Officer Christopher Chair of the UANA Technical Water Polo Com- The Technical Committee’s first order of busi- Ramsey. Certain members, such as USA Water mittee, which is responsible for all international ness is to establish governance guidelines, elect a Polo national team coaches, are appointed ex- competition in the Americas. chairperson and review current USA Water Polo officio by virtue of their position, and as such Megan Hernandez (USA Representation, referee instructional and training materials. are not subject to term limits. UANA TWPC) – Hernandez currently repre- The committee has been charged with pre- The appointees to the USA Water Polo Tech- sents USA Water Polo as a member of the UANA senting a detailed plan of action to accomplish nical Committee are: TWPC. A former national team player and past its stated goals at the USA Water Polo annual chair of the Women’s International/National Guy Baker (Women’s National Team Head meeting in Ventura, Calif., in January, 2008. Committee, Hernandez has been involved with Coach) – Guy Baker has been the head coach of water polo as a player, coach, official and ad- the Women’s National Team since 1998. In eight ministrator for more than 25 years. Christine Bird years time, Baker turned the national team pro- gram into one of the most decorated women’s Ken Lindgren – Lindgren comes to the TWPC Hired as Director water polo programs in the world. His accom- with years of experience as a coach, mentor and plishments include two World Championship administrator with both collegiate and USA of Marketing and titles (2007 & 2003), a silver medal at the 2000 Water Polo National Team programs. He has Communications Olympics in Sydney, Australia, and a bronze been on the coaching staffs of both the Men’s USA Water Polo is happy to announce the medal at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece. and Women’s National Teams and most recently hiring of Christine Bird as the director market- was on the staff of the silver medal women’s Loren Bertocci – Bertocci has been involved ing and communications. team in 2000. Lindgren has been invaluable in with water polo for more than 30 years, having the education and training of not only numer- Bird has a combination of marketing and been a player, coach, referee and administrator. ous athletes, but coaches and referees as well. project planning expertise in world-class in- At the level of the National Governing Body, he ternational sporting events, including most has been a region and zone head referee, a region Ed Reed – Reed has been involved in the sport recently the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in chair and a zone chair, a member of the Board of for 37+ years as a coach and administrator. He Torino, Italy. Having worked for three Olympic Governors and Board of Directors, chair of the has served as president of the American Water Games (1996, 2004, 2006) and two FIFA World Finance Committee and chair of the National Polo Coaches Association and as a member of Cup organizations (1999, 2003), she is a supervi- Referees Committee, and was the founding the NCAA Rules Committee. Reed was on the sor skilled at integrating and guiding multiple chair (in 2005) of the USA Technical Water Polo Men’s National Team staff from 1993 through client groups. As marketing director for the Bay Committee. Bertocci has whistled more than the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. Area’s WUSA team, she developed the inaugural 150 international matches, including the 2001 Rachel Ruano – Ruano is the current athlete launch of the team’s logo, name, ticketing plan World Championships. He created content for representative on the USA Water Polo Board of and the league’s most successful merchandise the first Referees Manual published by USA Wa- Directors. She is a former national team athlete line. Her past sponsor relationships with the U.S. ter Polo in 2000, and is currently the referee and and assistant coach. Ruano has been involved Soccer Federation include working with top in- event administrator for the Northeast Zone. with water polo for 18 years as a player, coach ternational companies such as Nike, Coca-Cola, Robert Corb – Corb is a current FINA referee and administrator. and Philips. who has been officiating for for more than 30 Terry Schroeder (Men’s National Team Head years. Corb is a former chair of the National Coach) – Schroeder, Ph.D. was named Head Rating and Listing Sub-Committee for USA Coach of the Men’s National Team this past

4 6 USA WATER POLO MEN’S &WOMEN’SMEN’S NATIONAL TEAMS National Team Update Marymount) (Loyola Stevens Andrew (USC) Artukovich Anthony Women (France), Peter Hudnut (Spain), Jeff Powers (Italy), Jesse Smith Smith (Italy). Wright Adam and (Italy) Jesse Varellas Peter (Croatia), (Italy), Powers Jeff (Spain), Hudnut Peter (France), World Championships (see page 10 for more information). After After information). more for 10 page (see Championships World William Hindle- William The teams participating are Australia, Russia, Canada Canada Russia, Australia, are participating teams The California. The teams participating in that will be be will that in participating teams The California. Chay Lapin (UCLA) Lapin Chay #9 Netherlands (recently secured Olympic bid via bid via Olympic secured (recently Netherlands #9 Canada #6 Italy #5 Russia #3 Australia #2 States United #1 January, many players on the training roster are already in the the in already are roster training the on players many January, Joint Forces Training Base and will train their leading up to the the to up leading their train will and Base Training Forces Joint (Pepperdine) MacDonell JP Olympics. In between that time the squad will take part in various various in part take will squad the time that In between Olympics. European Olympic Qualification) Olympic European other invited or selected player. or selected invited other championships. da Four Nations Cup from November 29-December 2. 2. 29-December November from Cup Nations Four da (USC) Sagehorn Matt which will bring together the senior and junior team as well as as well as team junior and senior the together bring will which will ready to host the Holiday Cup in Long Beach, Beach, Long in Cup Holiday the host to ready will immediate horizon starting with the Speedo Top 40 (see page 14) page (see Top 40 Speedo the with starting horizon immediate midst of workouts here in the United States or part of professional of professional or part States United the in here of workouts midst matches and tournaments. There are three notable events on the the on events notable three are There tournaments. and matches mates won’t have to wait long to meet again, however, as many of many as however, again, meet to long wait to won’t have mates are Tony Azevedo (Italy), Ryan Bailey (Serbia), Layne Beaubien Beaubien Layne (Serbia), Bailey Ryan (Italy), Azevedo Tony are season and may also meet come early December for the NCAA NCAA the for December early come meet also may and season some of the world’s top ranked including: world’s topranked of the some USA. and pic Games. While the team will not begin full-time training until until training full-time begin not will team the While Games. pic leagues overseas. Among those playing professionally overseas overseas professionally playing those Among overseas. leagues the 2008 Olympics. Team USA is is headquartered out of the the of out headquartered is is USA Team Olympics. 2008 the regular the during do battle now for they compete will colleges the team The season. college own his began member roster every that, M M The men’s senior team now begins its focus on the 2008 Olym 2008 the on focus its begins now team men’ssenior The h wmns eir em a bgn eieta tann for training residential begun has team senior women’s The Junior the at competition up wrapped recently team junior The Upon their return to the United States, Team USA Team States, United the to return their Upon Following that the team will take part in the Cana the in part take will team the that Following en en ’ ’ s J s S ’ unior T enior T s S K (Stanford) atel enior T eam eam eam Spencer Warden (Cal- Spencer (USC) Sardo Nico (USC) Rappel Justin Arjan Ligtenberg (USC) Ligtenberg Arjan Scott Davidson (UCLA) Davidson Scott JW K JW Berkeley) rumpholz (USC) rumpholz -

Junior National Team this past summer. past Team this National Junior Melissa Wheeler who plays collegiate water polo at Cal participated with the Women’s the with participated Cal at polo water collegiate plays who Wheeler Melissa - - Amber Oland, Stanford ‘11 Stanford Oland, Amber Women

‘09 UCLA Tanya Gandy, 2004. During her time the team garnered two Olympic medals medals Olympic two garnered team the time her During 2004. Cup gold medals for the USA. A legend as a coach and player. and acoach as Alegend USA. for the Cup gold medals Calif., featuring: Calif., Grace Reynolds, Cal ‘10 Cal Reynolds, Grace Jillian Stapf, Cal State Northridge ‘10 Northridge State Cal Stapf, Jillian Forel Davies, USC ‘10 USC Davies, Forel ih h Jno Wrd hminhp i Pro Prua. Fol Portugal. Porto, in Championships World Junior the with rest of group is playing for the following schools: following for the playing is of group rest women’s the for training in participate to 2007-2008 shirting red P.A.C.E Coaches Conference from December 6-9 in Long Beach, Beach, Long in 6-9 December from Conference Coaches P.A.C.E including gold at the 2004 Olympic Games. April was a player for player a was April Games. Olympic 2004 the at gold including k ‘10 Cal Schnugg, Stephanie senior national team as they prepare for the 2008 Olympics. The The Olympics. 2008 the for prepare they as team national senior season. lowing the summer, the majority of the roster began their college college their began roster the of majority the summer, the lowing the first World Cup team in 1991 that won the first of two World of first the won that 1991 in team Cup World first the Adam K Adam April Heinrichs USA Women’s Soccer Head Coach at the 2000- the at Coach Head Women’sUSA Soccer Heinrichs April International the be will Cup Holiday the to bonus added An The summer season was completed for completed was women’sthe season The summer team junior Guy Baker: USA Women’s Baker: Guy Coach Head Greg McFadden: Australian Women’s Coach Head Australian McFadden: Greg Robin van Galen: Netherlands Women’s Coach Head Netherlands Galen: van Robin K ameryn Craig (USC) and Jessica Steffens (Stanford) are are (Stanford) Steffens Jessica and (USC) Craig ameryn rikorian: UCLA Women’s UCLA Men’s and Coach Head rikorian: 2000 and 2004 Olympic medalists Olympic 2004 and 2000 Champion World 2007 Championship and 2003 European Olympic Qualification Champion Qualification Olympic European 2007 World Championship silver medalists silver World2007 Championship World Cup Champion 2006 5 Women’s titles NCAA ’ s J unior T Phoebe Champion, Princeton ‘10 Princeton Champion, Phoebe Melissa Wheeler, Cal ‘09 Cal Wheeler, Melissa ‘10 Cal Anderson, Darby ‘09 Stanford Silver, Lauren eam im K im rueger, Stanford ‘11 Stanford rueger, - SELECTION OF SELECTION Men’s Suits from Suits Men’s from Suits Women’s CHOOSE FROM WIDE SELECTION FROMWIDE CHOOSE POLOSUITS OF CLOCKS & SCOREBOARDSCLOCKS& OF S LARGEST SPORT & R srsport.com CHECK OUT OUR LATESTATSPECIALSOUR OUT CHECK $14.95 $33.95 Copyright 2007 S & R Sport. All Rights Reserved.Rights All Sport. R & S Copyright2007

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Throughout the Speedo Cup’s water polo leagues during the fall season. It will also provide for Girls and Boys duration, some of the best on education, technical and organizational support for new clubs both the girls’ and boys’ sides have and leagues through local water polo committees and regional Girl’s Resident Camps BHFT
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 the game in other areas of the country – and the Midwest in Joe Linehan, the regional director of sport development for particular – when it comes to the Speedo Cup. Intermediate/Beginner Co-ed Day Camp BHFT
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TDSJNNBHFT Kansas City for all teams coming from across the country. The or call (650) 725-9016 interest in the aquatic sports and provide incentive for the devel- University of Missouri has a world-class indoor facility, which opment of new water polo clubs and the creation of age-group only heightens the experience for all involved,” he concluded. Speedo Cup Time Capsule Speedo Cup I - 1993 The inaugural Speedo Cup was won by the squad Speedo Cup IV – 1996 Speedo Cup VI – 1998 Speedo Cup VIII – 2000 Speedo Cup X – 2002 Speedo Cup XIII – 2005 from Tustin, Calif. Jordan Hewko, Robbie Arroyo, In what proved to be the most thrilling champion- For the first time ever, all of USA Water Polo’s Bill Meripol’s game-winner over Tustin helped Tustin’s boys took home gold for the second Tustin earned the gold for the fourth straight year Matt Flesher and Nick Ellis helped Tustin to a ship game to date in the Speedo Cup, San Diego zones were represented in the boys’ field. Long Long Beach to its fourth boys’ title at the Speedo straight year, while San Diego and North Hol- in the boy’s division, defeating Carlsbad, 13-5. 6-0 record, which included an 8-1 trouncing of and Tustin went into sudden death to decide Beach won the boys’ gold with a four-goal win Cup. Clovis thumped Carlsbad, 12-12, in a high- lywood won silver and bronze, respectively. Rancho Palos Verdes had a close match against a Brenda Villa-led Commerce (Calif.) squad in who’d take home the 1996 title. Tustin’s Blake over Annapolis, while the bronze was taken by octane, bronze-medal game. San Diego took gold Commerce, San Diego and Tustin again dominated Stanford to earn the bronze medal, 13-12. In the the championship game. San Diego secured the Seymour touched the net with the winning goal San Diego via a win over Quebec. The bronze on the girls side with a 14-11 win over Long the top of the standings in the girls’ division. girls’ gold medal game, Diablo edged out Tustin bronze medal with an 11-7 win over Michigan. 1:27 into the sudden death frame, giving his continued San Diego’s streak of medal runs at Beach and Annapolis notched the bronze. for the gold, 7-6. In the bronze-medal game, a Boys’ Gold – Tustin, Boys’ Silver – San Diego, Gold – Tustin, Silver – Commerce, squad the gold, its second in Speedo Cup history. the Speedo Cup. On the girls’ side, Mission Viejo strong Santa Barbara team beat Miami. Boys’ Gold – Long Beach, Boys’ Silver – Tustin, Boys’ Bronze – North Hollywood Bronze – San Diego Long Beach captured the bronze medal with a powered past Chicago, while San Diego bumped Boys’ Bronze – Clovis Boys’ Gold – Tustin, Boys’ Silver – Carlsbad, decisive 11-3 victory over Mission Viejo. Tustin for the bronze. Girls’ Gold – Commerce, Girls’ Silver – San Diego, Boys’ Bronze – Rancho Palos Verdes Speedo Cup II – 1994 Girls’ Gold – San Diego, Girls’ Silver – Long Beach, Girls’ Bronze – Tustin Three teams from outside of the continental U.S. Gold – Tustin, Silver – San Diego, Bronze – Long Boys’ Gold – Long Beach, Boys’ Silver – Annapolis, Beach Boys’ Bronze – San Diego Girls’ Bronze – Annapolis Girls’ Gold – Diablo, Girls’ Gold – Tustin, entered the 1994 installment of the Speedo Cup, Speedo Cup XI – 2003 Girls’ Bronze – Santa Barbara including Canada, Mexico City and Puerto Rico. Speedo Cup V – 1997 Girls’ Gold – Mission Viejo, Girls’ Silver – Chicago, Speedo Cup IX – 2001 Tustin came out strong to defeat Palo Alto for Long Beach, which was led by Tony Azevedo, Jack In the same year that women’s water polo was Girls’ Bronze – San Diego It was a Southern California sweep in the the boys’ gold, while Fort Lauderdale slipped Speedo Cup XIV – 2006 Hale and Jeff Nesmith, defeated San Diego, 10-6, added to the Olympic program, the Speedo Cup gold-medal category, with the boys and girls past Speedo Cup power San Diego in the bronze Aliso Viejo defeated Stanford, 12-9, to claim in the gold-medal game. Commerce defeated created its own girls’ division. On the boys’ side, Speedo Cup VII – 1999 both winning the first-place hardware. Tustin medal game. The girls’ gold was taken home by gold in the boys’ division. Meanwhile, for the Puerto Rico in the bronze-medal game on a goal San Diego won a tight game against Villa Park The girls from Lincolnshire (Ill.) became the topped defending champion Long Beach for gold Commerce for a second straight year. Tustin took bronze medal, San Diego defeated Santa Barbara with 22 seconds remaining. (Calif.) for the gold medal, while Long Beach first out-of-California team to win the Speedo in the boys’ division, while SoCal notched gold silver while Coronado finished with bronze. in a close contest, 8-6. On the girls’ side of the Cup, posting a 7-5 win over San Diego in the final. on the girls’ side. Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) took action, Laguna Beach defeated Los Alamitos in Gold – Long Beach, Silver – San Diego, knocked off Mission Viejo for the bronze for the Boys’ Gold – Tustin, Boys’ Silver – Palo Alto, Tustin’s girls took home the bronze, as well as the home bronze for the boys with a win over San a nail-biter, getting by with a 4-3 victory over Bronze – Commerce second year in a row. Commerce won the first Boys’ Bronze – Ft. Lauderdale girls’ gold with a 12-8 win over the East Coast. gold on the boys’ side. Commerce and San Diego Diego, while the girls’ bronze was won by Palo its Southern California counterparts. As for the Speedo Cup III – 1995 Chicago captured the bronze by defeating Mis- finished with silver and bronze, respectively. Alto (Calif.). Girls’ Gold – Commerce, Girls’ Silver – San Diego, bronze medal, Commerce defeated Santa Barbara in a thrilling finish, taking the game in a shootout. Long Beach and San Diego met again for the gold sion Viejo, becoming the first non-California team Boys’ Gold – Tustin, Boys’ Silver – Commerce, Girls’ Bronze – Tustin Boys’ Gold – Tustin, Boys’ Silver – Long Beach, The score had been tied at six goals apiece at the medal, with Long Beach coming out on top, this to medal at the Speedo Cup. Boys’ Bronze – San Diego Boys’ Bronze – Ft. Lauderdale time by a score of 15-3. Trevor Wawrzynski, Speedo Cup XII – 2004 end of regulation. Boys’ Gold – San Diego, Boys’ Silver – Villa Park, Girls’ Gold – Lincolnshire, Girls’ Silver – San Tustin earned the gold for the third year in a row Albert Garcia and Zack Walter proved a strong Girls’ Gold – SOCAL, Girls’ Silver – Commerce, Boys’ Gold – Aliso Viejo, Boys’ Silver – Stanford, Boys’ Bronze – Long Beach Diego, Girls’ Bronze – Tustin with a close win over Stanford. Los Alamitos supporting cast to Tony Azevedo for Long Beach. Girls’ Bronze – Palo Alto Boys’ Bronze – San Diego Tustin, who won the inaugural gold medal in 1993, had a strong win over Carlsbad to take home the Girls’ Gold – Commerce, Girls’ Silver – East Coast, bronze medal. In the girls’ gold-medal game, Com- edged a strong Clovis team in the bronze- medal Girls’ Bronze – Chicago Girls’ Gold – Laguna Beach, Girls’ Silver – Los match. merce beat Stanford to take home the gold for a Alamitos, Girls’ Bronze – Commerce third straight year. In a close bronze-medal game, Gold – Long Beach , Silver – San Diego, Mission Viejo beat Riverside, 6-4, to place third. Bronze – Tustin Boys’ Gold – Tustin, Boys’ Silver – Stanford, Boys’ Bronze – Los Alamitos Girls’ Gold – Commerce, Girls’ Gold – Stanford, Girls’ Bronze – Mission Viejo

8 usawaterpolo.org 9 USA vs. Croatia The crowd of more than 1,200 rose rose to its feet at the Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos and clapped wildly, chant- ing “U-S-A--U-S-A” as the clock wound down to zero on Team USA’s third straight win, an 11-6 victory over Croatia. Now most everyone there knew it represented nothing more than a pool play victory in the early stages of the FINA 2007 Men’s Junior World Championships, but for those in the stands and on the deck, it felt like a whole lot more. What began as a tense back-and-forth battle with four ties turned into a contest where the United States was able to pull away from a Croatian team it had failed to beat in two recent attempts this summer overseas. With the victory, USA im- proved to 3-0 while Croatia fell to 2-1. More importantly, USA continued to pave the way for a perfect record in group play with two games looming, which can only benefit the squad down the road. All the elements were there for Team USA, starting with goalten- ding and the play of Chay Lapin. Fittingly, the game ended with the ball in the hands of Lapin, who seemed to control its movements Action photos courtesy of Michael Machik and Joan Gould all evening long. He tallied 18 total saves, few of the “cheap” variety While the final day of action witnessed a 14-4 loss to Australia and a the whole thing and leading up to that game against Italy going 6-0 and reached his own personal goaltending zen which results in sixth-place finish for the United States Men’s Junior National Team, was pretty incredible for us.” Lapin screaming, “Get Out!” to potentials shots that came hurled the 2007 FINA Junior World Championships will still go down as a A tremendous part of success for the event, which USA Water at his cage. success based on the team’s improved finish and competitive play. Polo also hosted, was due to a dedicated team of volunteers who “I couldn’t have asked for a better effort from Chay and my team,” covered everything from game scoring to ball retrieval to team remarked USA Head Coach Doug Peabody. Twenty-three visiting nations descended upon the Southern As for Head Coach Doug Peabody and the United States team. hospitality. California area for the nine-day tournament that featured 104 things turned out less than expected, as they had to settle for sixth “In my opinion, based on the venues and our games, I thought it Sure, Lapin was aware he had brought a good game with him matches and more than 300 athletes battling tooth and nail for a place after entering the tournament with a spotless 5-0 record on this night, but what interested him more is what the victory ac- shot at world supremacy. in round robin play and visions of medaling. Regardless, the team was wonderfully run, but being the host country and being able to complished for this USA team. made strides as it improved greatly on an 11th-place finish from the play seven of our games at 7 p.m. at the premier pool – that was When the dust settled, Hungary was victorious over a resilient 2005 championships, which included a thrilling victory over bronze pretty nice,” Peabody concluded. Italian squad in the championship game. As the Hungarians donned “It finally gives us confidence, just because we are USA and we medalist Croatia in front of a packed house in Los Alamitos. their gold medals, it brought to a close an event that lured some are usually the underdogs.” Lapin continued, “I came off a hard 10,000-plus water polo fans to Long Beach and Los Alamitos, As play moved out of the round robin and into cross-over matches, game and (tonight) I felt really focused and my defense helped,” he Calif. Team USA dispatched a feisty Japanese squad before meeting up concluded. with Italy with a shot at the medal round on the line. The red, white Now & Then Along the way, games unfolded displaying some of the best up- Photos Sagehorn by Marilyn It was more than just Lapin, however, as the offense seemed to and blue rallied from a 3-0 first quarter deficit to tie the score late and-coming water polo players the world has to offer. From fantas- in the game before an Italian goal in the waning moments proved get better as the game wore on led by four tallies off the hand of JW tic finishes to overpowering domination, the 24 squads took this too much to overcome. Following that was the loss to Australia to Krumpholz (including his own personal hat trick during the third opportunity to prove they belong. Granted, not every team that close out the tourney and land the Americans in sixth place. stanza). While Krumpholz had set up shop from 4 meters on in accepted an invitation to the tourney was destined for the medal Janson Wigo provided some firepower as well, lighting the prover- round, but that didn’t stop them from making great strides. “I give my guys a lot of credit, going 7-2 all at home. I don’t want bial lamp on two occasions. And then there was the birthday boy, people to think that because we didn’t play well against Australia The usual powers that be continued to assert themselves at yet that USA Water Polo isn’t turning it around because we are,” Pea- Matthew Sagehorn, who celebrated his 20 years with a score of his another world event, but also of note were the proverbial under- body said. own that led to the crowd serenading him with a birthday tune. dogs. For the teams like Jamaica making their first appearance at the World Championship level to Iran, which had to battle its way This tourney signaled the end of a brutal stretch for the junior There wasn’t much this game didn’t have, including a dose of through a hellacious qualifying tournament just to gain entry, it was team that saw them spending some 40-plus days together, includ- reality for all Team USA players that while this win is important This year’s Junior Team. about more than just a gold medal in this tourney. ing traveling overseas and playing a bevy of games concluding with Front row, left to right: Tim Reed (assistant coach), JP MacDonell, Scott Davidson, Janson Wigo, Anthony and memorable, it was just one step in a long road. the Junior World Championships. Artukovich, Doug Peabody (head coach, holding ball), Nico Sardo Middle row: Will Hindle-Katel, Justin “It was the first-ever world win for Singapore so it is very good Rappel, Dan Klatt (assistant coach, in hat), Matt Sagehorn (in beard), JW Krumpholz, Chay Lapin Back row: Arjan Ligtenberg, Andy Stevens, Spencer Warden “It was great, but we are just one step closer; it’s just a bracket for the sport in Singapore and shows we are coming along,” noted The conclusion of the tourney also meant that the entire roster game and we gotta think about that,” Sagehorn said. Lapin echoed Singapore Coach Paul Oberman after an early win for his group. headed off to their college seasons and into the sunset from the Cadet Team August 2002 Photo: Front row, left to right: Chay Lapin, Matt Aksel those statements in regards to making too much of this victory. junior team roster. With a recent FINA ruling removing the 20-and- Middle row: Kevin Lorbeer, Charles Wright, Miguel Puerto Rico brought mostly a youth age group team to the event, under championships, the junior roster will be turned over to those Cidoncha, Steven Weinberg, Joe Sherrin, Nico “We talked about that. We just take it game after game. We might and while struggling in some contests, laid the groundwork for Sardo, Doug Peabody (head coach) rising out of the current Youth program at the 17-18 age level. Back row: Boyd LaChance (assistant coach), Drac meet up with them in the semis; this is just one stepping stone,” future championships. Meanwhile, Argentina rode the hot hand Wigo, Jay Connelly, Eric Vreeland, Will Hindle- Katel, Anthony Artukovich, Matt Sagehorn (with Lapin stated. of Gonzalo Echenique who, at just 17, proved to be one of the “It was a great learning experience to go to Europe this summer. arms around Will and Ratko), Ratko Rudic (Senior Team head coach at that time), Christian Flores, tourney’s elite. These were just some of the many success stories Europe did a good job turning us into the team. Once the boys got JW Krumpholz, Bill Smith (assistant coach), Mark Granted, it was just a stepping stone, but for Team USA, it was at the Championships. into the tourney and we beat Croatia, they all really started to be- Stemler, Janson Wigo. one nice step in the right direction on all fronts. lieve this could be special.” Peabody continued, “Our goal was to win The players that were on both teams: Anthony Artukovich, Will Hindle-Katel, JW “I think we did a job tonight being USA Water Polo,” Peabody Krumpholz, Chay Lapin, Matt Sagehorn, Nico Sardo, Janson Wigo. added. 10 usawaterpolo.org 11 2007 Award and Medal Results Most Valuable Player – Denes Varga, Hungary Most Valuable Goalkeeper – David Bisztritsanyi, Hungary Leading Scorer of the Tournament – Denes Varga, Hungary 28 Goals & Petar Muslin, Croatia 28 Goals 1st Place - Gold Medal: Hungary (HUN) 2nd Place - Silver Medal: Italy (ITA) 3rd Place - Bronze Medal: Croatia (CRO)

4th Place: Serbia (SRB) 15th Place: Argentina (ARG) 5th Place: Australia (AUS) 16th Place: Egypt (EGY) 6th Place: USA (USA) 17th Place: New Zealand (NZL) 7th Place: Spain (ESP) 18th Place: Mexico (MEX) 8th Place: Germany (GER) 19th Place: Iran (IRI) 9th Place: Greece (GRE) 20th Place: Columbia (COL) 10th Place: France (FRA) 21st Place: Singapore (SIN) 11th Place: Japan (JPN) 22nd Place: Jamaica (JAM) 12th Place: Slovakia (SVK) 23rd Place: Kuwait (KUW) 13th Place: Canada (CAN) 24th Place: Puerto Rico (PUR) 14th Place: Brazil (BRA) - one of the biggest battles we had ever played. During the first quar ter, things just weren’t clicking. We were missing our opportunities had previously played Croatia twice over the summer already and and they were making theirs. We ended up being down by three we knew that we could hang with them the first half, but it was the SKIP SHOT DIARY points, but we found ourselves back in the game as we chipped second where they would slowly take the lead. We knew that we their lead down in the second and third quarters. We were not Arjan Ligtenberg is a member of the USA Men’s Junior National Team. He kept a could beat them and that was the attitude we took heading into going to give up the game that fast. All we needed was one more the game. diary for Skip Shot magazine in the time leading up the 2007 FINA Men’s Junior goal and we would win the game. Unfortunately, the calls didn’t go Peabody, Klatt and Reed led us with pump-up speeches in the our way and Italy ended up scoring to win the game. It was surreal World Championships and throughout the event. locker room and hotel. We could feel that this game was going to that we had lost; everyone thought we were going to win. Everyone After playing and training in three different countries, we headed be a war and that if the outcome came our way, everyone would knew we were going to win. However, at the end it was the first Our training trip started July 13th back to the U.S. where we awaited two days off where we could be baffled. We ended up winning, 9-6 – something that nobody had quarter that had done us in. as we met in Long Beach to get some - spend time with our families and girlfriends before we got back to expected. That night we did not head directly back to the hotel; it After that game we all went back to the lockerroom with our pre training before we left on our “Eu the grind again and then enter the tournament. was one of the player’s birthdays and his parents had arranged a heads hanging. It felt as if we had let down our country and our fans. ropean Tour.” We left the 16th and team dinner. This was just another great chance for everyone to On Aug. 9, we were all back in Long Beach ready for practice. However, here we found Peabody, Klatt and Reed with their heads headed over to Barcelona. We were - relax and enjoy each other’s company. Our families were with us, - During the next few days we would have two practices a day, with held high. They were proud of us, and they told us that as they soon quick to find out that this was one some girlfriends, and the people who meant the most to us. Every the majority of our swimming being done in the morning and scrim talked to us. We only had a bad first quarter and unfortunately we of Doug Peabody’s favorite cities, as thing seemed surreal at that point in time because pretty much mages against other teams in the afternoons. Peabody and his were not able to recover from it. That night as we looked around he showed us around on our off day. everyone had everything they wanted; a great win over Croatia, and assistants were leading and motivating the team to be able to win at each other; we realized that we had truly become a family and However, it wasn’t just all fun. Every day we were swimming and the whole tournament. Throughout our scrimmages we could tell the people whome they cared about all around them. - that we would lay down our lives for each other; Peabody had been scrimmaging with the Italian Junior National team. After our stay in that everything was finally starting to click. The right passes were The next morning we did not have any training because Peabody preaching this to us all summer, and we finally understood and felt - Spain, we moved on to a tournament in Slovakia. We ended up play thrown, crashes, drops and switches being correctly executed. We wanted to make sure that we had recovered from the Croatia it. We wanted to win the next two games and show everyone that it ing well but still not our best games. We ended up getting second were ready to play. During the time leading up to the Worlds tour game mentally and physically. He told us that even though beating was us that should have been in the top four, not Italy. We wanted place. We lost to Croatia in the championship game. The coaches: nament, we occasionally got an afternoon off here and there when Croatia was a great victory, we had not achieved what we set out to win the next games for our coaches and teammates, not to let - Peabody, Klatt and Reed, were pleased with our performance and our opponents canceled on us. OneSuper of those Bad. afternoonsThe atmosphere we all ofwent the to do yet, which everyone agreed with. The tournament was not them down again. We headed into the Spain game with this at they showed us by letting us tour one of the castles. Our team was to the movies together and saw yet over. We played Puerto Rico that night and won without much - - titude and held a commanding lead from the first quarter until the getting closer and closer as we were spending more time together. team was jubilant and they were eager to start the tournament. contest. We then played France as our next opponent in Slovaia end. This was our game, not theirs. The next day we played Aus Most of us knew each other since we were grommets playing wa Finally, the long-awaited and anticipated day came when the and beat them by roughly 10 points. So we knew that we could do tralia and didn’t perform. It was as if everyone had already checked ter polo, which made it much easier for us to grow together as a tournament started. We opened up with the Jamaica team. Even it again. But France did have the potential to knock us off of our out, because the previous night Italy made it to the finals, which team. After our tournament we went to Zagreb, where we once - though they were not considered to be on our same level of play, high horse because they did have the talent. Fortunately, we had disappointed us even more. again took part in a tournament and ended up placing fourth, beat our coaches who were reminding us every second that they could - we still prepared for them like any other game. We warmed up at We ended up losing and took sixth place, which was still good, ing Italy to get to the semi-final game. After the tournament was do to us what we did to Croatia. Thus, we went into the game and 1 p.m., swam and shot, and went through some of the plays and and even considered good in the U.S. history of Jr. Worlds. But finished in Zagreb, we had a team dinner, which some of the play crushed their hopes right in the first quarter and didn’t stop until counter-attacks we had practiced. Finally, we headed to the pool more importantly, instead of getting sixth, through this experience ers’ parents took care of. the game was over. At this point, we had won all of our games and roughly at around 5 p.m. because announcements of all the teams we had gained another family. I’m sure that if any of us called each - we were advancing as No. 1 in our bracket. We were matched The environment in which we were playing was great. Peabody were before our game. This was a moment I’m sure none of us will other and needed help the other would be there right by our sides up with Japan, which ended up giving us a tough game because was able to maintain consistent, great training while keeping it in ever forget, staring at our flag as the “National Anthem” played and almost instantly. Thanks to the leadership and guidance of Peabody, we were expecting them just to roll over. Luckily, we still won and teresting for the players. This is something I have experienced that knowing that we were playing for the best nation in the world. We Klatt and Reed, we got as far as we did. Without them, there would headed on to play Italy to move into the final four. only great coaches are able to do: being able to keep everything ended up with a win over the Jamaicans. The following night we not have been a Junior National Team. fresh and keeping the players interested after being together and played Canada. Our defense was not what we expected it to be and For most of the players on the team who had been there for five - doing the same thing over and over again. By this time in the trip; they ended up scoring a considerable amount on us. Luckily, our or so years, they had never beaten Italy until this summer when we - most teams would have started to get into little fights with each offense was clicking and we once again outscored them consider played them in Zagreb. We knew that this game was going to be other and cliques would have been formed, but for us we were get ably. However, that night and the next day we heard about how we ting along better and getting closer every day. Everything slowly needed to step up in our defense to be able to beat Croatia. We was starting to fit into place and click with everyone on the team.

12 usawaterpolo.org 13 Setting the Gold Standard….. 2008 USA Water Polo Annual Meeting Commit, Compete, Inspire!

Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach Contact Information: January 25-27, 2008 Name: Zone: USAWP#:

Address:

City: State: Zip: Meeting registration includes:

ł Attendance and Participation in Educational Workshops Telephone: Fax:

ł Refreshment Breaks Email Address: ł Conference and Workshop Materials (REQUIRED)

ł Participation Gift Guest Name: With the holiday season just around the corner, one of the early gifts to women’s water polo fans in Southern ł Meet the Olympians of the Men’s and Women’s National California is the Sixth Annual Speedo Top 40. The Top 40, which combines a 16-team open tournament and a Teams tourney featuring 40 of the elite women’s water polo athletes in the United States, is an event not to miss. ł Women’s National Team Exhibition Game MEAL PACKAGES USA v. Canada Package #1 - Welcome Reception, Saturday Breakfast and Awards $160 Luncheon, Sunday Continental Breakfast, Participa- Golden West Club, a new group to the water polo landscape, will The USA Water Polo Annual Meeting is designed to meet Refreshment Breaks and Meeting Registration

File Photo Photo File tion in each also make its debut in this yearly event. your needs as a member of USA Water Polo. The Annual Package #2 - Welcome Reception, Saturday Breakfast and Awards half of the As for the top 40, fans can be sure to get an up-close view Meeting is an opportunity to communicate with the lead- $145 Luncheon, Refreshment Breaks and Meeting event is equal- of a majority of the athletes who will make up the roster at the ers of USA Water Polo, attend informative educational ly as coveted. Registration upcoming 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Along with that, on display For the open workshops, attend the AwardsOur Commitment Banquet, build rapport to will be top players at the junior level on down, as well as other Package #3 - Refreshment Breaks and Meeting Registration t ournament, with fellow water polo enthusiasts, check out what’s new up-and-coming athletes. secure our Water $100 regis t ration in water polo at the Vendor Show and have some fun. modeled the Once assembled, the 40 athletes will be divided into four even- Events to look forward to include an opportunity to meet frenzy normal- ly matched teams of 10, where they will compete against each Olympic hopefuls and past Olympians at the Welcome Meal Pkg # ______x Cost $ ______= Total $ ______ly reserved other throughout the weekend. Each squad will be led by an out- Meal Pkg # ______x Cost $ ______= Total $ ______for concert standing zone coach from the Olympic Development Program. Reception, a Women’s National Team Exhibition game After Jan. 03 add $50 late fee x ______= Total $ ______against Canada, Educational Workshops, Coaches Clin- The Top 40 has brought together some of the best female tickets as Women’s National water polo players in the country year after year. a v a i l a b l e Team Head Coach Guy ics, Committee Meetings and much, much more! spots sold out Baker relishes the oppor- Photo File To register, print and fax this form to (714) 960-2431 in just seven minutes. As for the Top 40 selection, this group tunity to spearhead this We look forward to seeing you there! Payment Information: comes via open tryout, special invitation or prior inclusion into event, but knows that prestigious women’s national team pipeline. Regardless, crack- this year’s festivities hold ͘ Check Enclosed Check #______(Payable to USA Water Polo) ing either competition requires some serious talent. special meaning, “The Top REGISTRATION DEADLINE The 16 teams taking part in the open tourney represent a wide 40 preceding the Olym- ͘ VISA MasterCard Amt. authorized to charge: ______array of talent. The top four teams return from 2006, including pic Games offers a great January 3rd 2008! ͘ NYAC (New York, N.Y.), SET (El Toro, Calif.), Commerce (Com- opportunity for fans of merce, Calif.), and SOCAL (Tustin, Calif.). The final 12 are those water polo to come and After Jan. 03 add $50 to each registration. Credit Card Holder Name: (As it Appears on the Card) that filled up the registration with the speed usually reserved for watch the current Olym- After Jan. 13, only on-site registration will be accepted. Justin Timberlake tickets. They are as follows: CBAD (Oceanside, pians compete with and On-site registration fee is $150 Credit Card Number: Expiration Date: Calif.), Northshore (Solana Beach, Calif.), CBU Lancers (Monro- against future Olympians,” Women’s National Team Head Coach he stated. via, Calif.), HBWPC (Huntington Beach, Calif.), NSD Stars (Vista, Guy Baker poses with recent Top 40 Card Holder Signature: Date: Calif.), Golden West Club (Huntington Beach, Calif.), Los Alamitos One other highlight to award winners. (Los Alamitos, Calif.), South Irvine (Irvine, Calif.), Irvine WPC (Ir- the weekend will be a final day match-up pitting two 14-and- vine, Calif.), CHAWP (Chino Hills, Calif.), SBWPC (Santa Barbara, under female age group squads bound for the Speedo Cup bat- Calif.), and Florida Coast (Miami, Fla.). tling it out. These two teams will be getting warmed up for the HOST HOTEL: Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach Hotel, 450 Harbor Blvd., Ventura, CA 93001 Last year’s title was claimed by the New York Athletic Club and Speedo Cup, which takes place the following weekend, Nov. 9-12, USA Water Polo - Annual Meeting they return as the No. 1 seed with eyes on a repeat. They will in Columbia, Mo. CALL 800-842-0800 FOR HOTEL RESERVATIONS be challenged by some newcomers, as Florida Coast makes its 2124 Main St., Suite 210 Tickets for the Speedo Top 40 will be available at the door. For USA WATER POLO ANNUAL MEETING RATE $139 + TAX debut in the Top 40. Florida Coast is the first team besides NYAC Huntington Beach, CA 92648 more information, visit www.usawaterpolo.org. CALL BEFORE 01/03/2008 FOR SPECIAL RATE! to participate in the event from outside the state of California. Phone: 714-500-5448 Fax: 714-960-2431 [email protected] Please visit www.usawaterpolo.org for more information!

14 The Road to Beijing and the 2008 Olympic Friday, December 14, 2007 Games will be anything but easy as the USA Men’s and Women’s Senior National Teams Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club, Mission Viejo, CA prepare for one of the most important competitions in their water polo careers. Highlighting Our Athletes “Bound for Beijing” One of the more enjoyable stops along the way will be the 5th Annual USA Water Polo National Teams Golf Tournament and Silent DON’T GOLF? Auction. The event will be held on Friday, JOIN US FOR DINNER AND CHRISTMAS SHOPPING, Dec. 14, 2007, at the Arroyo Trabuco Golf THE FUN INCLUDES OUR FABULOUS POST GOLF Club in Mission Viejo, California. BANQUET & SILENT AUCTION , FEATURING UNIQUE This tournament and silent auction serve as one WATER POLO MEMORABILIA, EXCITING TRAVEL & of the major fundraisers for both teams and the ENTERTAINMENT PACKAGES...AND MUCH, MUCH athletes and coaches are counting on the contin- ued generosity of the water polo community to MORE!! support the quest for a gold medal. Terry Schroeder, head coach of the men’s national team and a past Olympian in his own right, knows full well the benefits of the annual golf tourney. “The USA Water Polo National Teams Golf Tour- nament is a great way to come out and spend the day with old friends and make some new ones THE COURSE while supporting our national teams on our road to Beijing,” Schroeder stated. The Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club features an 18-hole championship-length course designed by PGA Tour professional Tom Lehman. Set amidst Trabuco Creek and the Ladera Open Space Reserve, the 240-acre Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club provides an unforgettable golf Golfers of all skill levels are welcome and upon experience on par with South Orange County’s finest high-end clubs. Located at 26772 Avery Parkway, Mission Viejo, CA 92692 registration will be treated to a banner day sur- rounded by some of the finest water polo athletes the United States has to offer. The package in- SUPPORT YOUR NATIONAL TEAMS cludes one round of 18 holes (with cart) with Schedule national team athletes and coaches. In addition, We’re counting on you to help raise funds for the Men’s & lunch and dinner will be served, as well as food Women’s National Teams. Proceeds from this event are used 9-10:30am Check-In

and beverages on the course. Participation gifts Photo File exclusively to support our nationals teams at all age group 9:45am Putting & Chipping Contests include a golf shirt, hat and balls as well as entry in levels. So, come catch our athletes and coaches in a relaxed multiple drawings and contests. mood outside and away from the pool. Most times, they’re busy 10:45am Rules Explanation With all that in mind, participants will also tee- putting in the long hours and hard work necessary to proudly off on a course that leaves them believing they represent the United States at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. 11:00am Shotgun Start have just joined the professional tour. The Arroyo 4:30pm Cocktail Hour & Silent Auction Trabuco Golf Course features an 18-hole champi- Become Part of Our Commitment to onship-length golf course designed by PGA Tour Secure our Water Polo Legacy! 5:30pm Buffet Dinner & Awards Presentation professional Tom Lehman. Set amidst Trabuco Creek and the Ladera Open Space Reserve, the 240-acre Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club provides an unforgettable golf experience with South Orange SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITES & County’s finest high-end clubs. PRICES The Experience... Women’s Senior National Team Head Coach Guy x One Round of 18 holes (with cart) Scramble Format Individual Golfer Baker has been a participant in the tournament Early Registration $275.00 x Play & Meet National Team Athletes & Coaches since its inception and marvels at the support this After November 19th $325.00 event receives year in and year out. x Continental Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Awards “We are very proud of the fact that this year will Foursome Early Registration $995.00 be the fifth year of the event and has become an x Silent Auction After November 19th $1195.00 annual event for our Women’s and Men’s National Photo File x Participation Gifts (includes Golf Shirt, Hat & Balls) Teams. Each year the tournament has grown and GOLD SPONSOR $3000.00 we are anticipating that this year we will continue x Entry in multiple drawings & contests including Wager & Cigar Oasis Hole in the same direction.” Baker continued, “We are SILVER SPONSOR $2000.00 very appreciative of those who have supported the BRONZE SPONSOR $1000.00 x Win a Range Rover and/or Cadillac at the “Hole-In-One” holes previous golf tournaments and we would encour- Tee Signs x age all that can make it to join us this year for a Exclusive “You Own The Hole” $600.00 Food & Beverages on Course great day of golf and camaraderie.” Non-Exclusive/Shared Tee $250.00 x Fabulous Photo Opportunities Including YOUR Foursome Photo with For more information or to register for this Many Other Sponsorship Opportunities Are Available National Team Athletes event, check out the advertisement on page 17 See the Full List by visiting our website!! or visit www.usawaterpolo.org. Early-bird registra- tion will come to a close Nov. 14. REGISTER TODAY!! Visit www.usawaterpolo.org for entry forms and additional golf tournament information

16 In The CLUB

Triangle Aquatic Center in the 1960s and ‘70s, the Asheville YMCA girls the CroWater Polo web site and TV interviews Interested in Starting a won several AAU Junior Olympic Water Polo and news reporters covered games in Sveti Filip Championship titles (www.tacnc.org). & Jakov, Croatia and in Genovic, Montenegro. Water Polo Program The Croatian and Montenegro water polo and The Triangle Aquatic Center (TAC) in Cary, Greenwich Aquatics Women’s hospitality was first class. Hvala Croatia and

Photo courtesyPhoto of DC Polo N.C., had a Grand Opening Ceremony Oct. 28. Team Plays in Croatia and Montenegro! This brand-new public aquatic facility will house a warm water teaching pool, a 10-lane 25y pool Montenegro and a 50m competition pool all under one roof. In early July, Greenwich Aquatics brought a The addition of a water polo club to the compet- women’s team to Croatia and Montenegro led by itive program selection was always on the table head coach and USA Water Polo Board Member and there is interest in making this a reality as Bill Smith. The team traveled along the Adriatic they review coaching candidates. Michael Cur- coast from the very north of Croatia to the very ran, TAC president, is working with USA Water south, playing games in Rovinj, Zadar, Sveti Polo on the process of building a club team Filip & Jakov, Sibenik, Split, Dubrovnik, Mlini from the pool bottom up. TAC has purchased Zupa, Cavtat in Croatia, and finishing up in the water polo cages, the community is showing Genovic, Montenegro. Many of the games were an interest in developing a new team and USA played in the Adriatic Sea in beautiful coastal Water Polo looks forward to the rejuvenation of towns. This was the first U.S. women’s club team to visit Croatia, where women’s water polo is just The Greenwich water polo team ventured water polo in North Carolina. A long history of overseas for some training this past summer. water polo comes from North Carolina, where developing. The team’s visit was highlighted on usawaterpolo.org 19

Part of DC Polo’s growing tradition has been the recent move into the newly opened Claude Moore Recreational Center. Photo courtesy of DC PoloPhoto courtesy Profile on DC Water Polo Third and Fourth Seasons Fall 2005 – Summer 2007 First Two Seasons Fall 2003 – Summer 2005 The following year, the team was able to get pool time at Oak Marr RECenter in Vienna, Va. DC Water Polo was created in 2003 by Cam- on Wednesday evenings from 8:30-9:30 p.m. eron Hamilton and Nick Grzeda in order to These practices were in addition to the contin- provide swimmers (and a few non-swimmers) a ued Saturdays and Sundays at GMU. This third chance to learn the rules of U.S. Water Polo and year, DC Water Polo held games with Gonzaga play water polo. One-hour practices were held High School and participated in its first fall tour- The facility is located in Sterling, Va. and at George Mason University’s Patriot Aquatic nament – the Annapolis Classic in October. The serves as a beacon of water polo action for the surrounding area. Center on Saturdays and Sundays – 32 in all next tournament would not be until the June from September through June for boys and girls 2006 Annapolis Classic, with one exception: Hall High School and NYAC’s Women’s team. aged 14 and older. The team participated in one the six girls who played on DC Water Polo were Attendance at events around the Northeast Zone tournament – the Annapolis Classic in June of invited to the Virginia Tech Women’s Hokie In- continued to grow throughout the year and 2004. Summer clinics were held throughout the vitational in Blacksburg, Va., that March. That again Robert Nichols played for the 2007 NEZ summer in order to spread interest in the sport Spring 2006, two members – Patrick Fish and Men’s Cadet team and coach Nick Grzeda was of water polo. Practices during the summer were Robert Nichols – played on the 2006 Northeast the head coach of the NEZ Men’s Cadet team. held three days a week at Chantilly Country Club Zone Men’s Cadet Team and coach Nick Grzeda on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday mornings. was John Abdou’s assistant coach for the 2006 Fifth Season In the second year, the situation was the same, NEZ Men’s Youth team. Summer practices were Fall 2007 although there was enough interest to open a held at Oak Marr RECenter on Mondays, Tues- This year, in DC Water Polo’s fifth season, practice for 12-and-unders as well. Again, the days and Thursdays. practices will be held at Claude Moore Recre- team had 27 practices from September to June In DC Water Polo’s fourth season, practices ation Center in Sterling, Va. four days a week for on the Saturdays and Sundays that were avail- continued at both Oak Marr RECenter and two hours. The Second Annual Metro Cham- able. The team participated in one tournament GMU’s Patriot Aquatic Center. In October 2006, pionship was held at the Claude Moore Recre- – the Annpolis Classic in June of 2005. Practices DC Water Polo hosted the first U.S. Water Polo ational Center in early September, where a host for the summer were again held at Chantilly tournament Northern Virginia had ever seen at of teams competed in the action-packed event. Country Club four days a week (Monday, Tues- GMU’s Patriot Aquatic Center. Participants in- day, Thursday and Sunday mornings). cluded Navy AC, Gonzaga High School, Calvert

18 5 METERS: Quick Shots From USA Water Polo

with... USA WATER POLO Chris Wendt TECHNIQUES member of the USA Men’s Cadet Team Women’s National Team Head Coach Guy Baker will be a regular contributor to Skip Shot in the Techniques section. His first installation focuses on player development. The curriculum for designing a practice must be appropriate for Physical: each age level. This article will focus on 12-and-under and 14-and- • Conditioning with the ball. You were recently part of the USA Cadet team that participated in the Youth Pan American Games. What was it like under age groups. • Conditioning without the ball emphasizing to win a gold medal for Team USA and to score one of the key goals in the title game? water polo movements. Practice guidelines for 12- and 14-and-under age groups • Condition with partners and groups. Playing for Team USA in the Youth Pan American Games after training in Montenegro was a great experience. The coaches helped recommended by the USA Women’s Water Polo Senior National • Use fun and engaging activities. us learn different styles of play, so we were ready for the competition. It was awesome to be able to win the gold medal for our Team staff. country over Canada, after having lost to them in December at the Pan Pacific Games. I was glad to be part of the starting line-up 1. Create an environment of passion and love for water polo. Psychological: and play with some of the best players in my age group. The game started out a little rough, but we stayed calm, and came 2. Determine the appropriate length of practice, not too short or long; • Keep it fun. • Encourage decision making. together in the fourth quarter. 1:30-2:00. • Imagination/creativity. • Increase demands of training. 3. Plan practices in advance and keep the practice and all activities • Emphasize discipline. • Encourage players to watch high school, Coming from the Chicago area, you are the only person on the Cadet team that is not from the state of California. short and crisp. college and national team games. What kind of transition was it for you to join this group of athletes who are all from the same state? 4. Plan the amount of time you will spend on an activity and stick to it. End practices on time. Wear a watch and use it. 14-and-Under:

I have been playing with athletes from California since I was 12 and on the development team. I have made some great friends are of Rise Illustrated Images Courtesy Sports Wendt 5. Keep practices fun and interesting by maximizing activity and minimiz- Development of Individual and Small Group Tactics at the camps, tryouts and traveling with these guys over the years. The parents have been very supportive and I have been lucky ing lines. The pace of development quickens at this time due to the accelera- 6. Have a ball for every player and try to involve as many players as pos- enough to stay at many of their homes. A lot of kids try out around here, but I try to help kids out from around here to improve tion of physical and mental maturation. The demands of skill training, to see if they can make one of the traveling teams. sible in practice activities. Again maximize activity and minimize lines. 7. Spend 80-100 percent of the practice time on activities that have a as well as training loads, should increase, thus provoking improve- Your dad, Joe, had a pretty successful playing career in his day at Indiana University and appearing in Sports high ball ratio, water polo movements without the ball and small-sided ment with mental toughness and concentration. Awareness of tac- Illustrated, what kind of influence has he been on your water polo career thus far? When did you find out he was game-specific situations (1x1, 2x1, 2x2, 3x2 or 3x3). 0-20 percent of tics within the game becomes an important facet of the learning process. a pretty accomplished player in his own right? the time in activities that involve low ball ratio (for example, scrim- mages with one ball and a lot of players). Coach: 8. Build competition into the practice. Competition is fun and prepares It is great playing with my Dad. Sometimes I play with him; sometimes I get to play against him. He has been my coach since I • Enthusiastic, patient but demanding. was little and he always encouraged me to play every chance I had. When I was little, I would watch his games and now that players for real water polo games. 9. The game of water polo is played at a minimum 60-70 percent in the • Possess a comprehensive knowledge of the fundamentals of water I can play against him I like swimming him 2 to 2. I have always known my dad was into the game because he has pictures vertical to semi-vertical position. Remember this when planning a polo. all around the basement and some trophies and stuff. I’d watch his team win tournaments; and I realized he was pretty good. practice. • Ability to demonstrate the technical skills (or utilize someone who He still plays in a lot of master’s leagues all around here. 10. Make conditioning fun; include ball, partners, groups. can paint a good picture – older player, assistant coach). • Possess a sound knowledge of the tactical principles of water polo. Along with your dad you have had other relatives who play water polo in college. Is it in your blood to play this sport, and what 12-and-under: are your future plans for water polo? This is the golden age of learning and a very important age for skill Technical: development. Demonstration is very important and the players learn • Build on press defense, press offense and counter attack Besides my dad, I have cousins who played in college. Matt Wendt played and was a captain at USC and Dan Wendt played and was a captain best by doing. This is also an important time to introduce and teach fundamentals. for Brown. I have a whole bunch of other relatives who swam and played club polo in college. The whole Wendt family is really into aquatics, the basic principles of play. It is important to establish discipline from • Begin zone defense and offense. and my little sisters are playing too, so I guess it is in our blood. As for me, I’m hoping to play Division I – California, most likely – but really any the beginning. • Continue to emphasize the development of individual skills under the school that will look at me that would be great. I’m not really sure yet where I want to go. Coach: pressure of time, space and an opponent. • Continue to increase technical speed. Finally, living in Chicago, what does everyone make of the all-deep water polo pool in your yard? • An enthusiastic and positive teacher. • Possess a sound knowledge of the basic fundamentals of water polo. • Begin 6x5 and 5x6 individual skills. It is a little crazy having an all-deep outdoor pool that is open year round in Chicago, but it is fun to play when there is snow on the ground. In • Ability to demonstrate the technical skills (or utilize someone who Tactical: the winter we keep the pool really warm, but the only bad thing is getting out to get the balls. It is fun to get in with my dad and friends and shoot around when it is below zero. can paint a good picture – older player, assistant coach). • Increase tactical speed (decision making under pressure). • Knowledge of defense, counter attack and offense base tactical • 1x1 game-specific situations. principles. • Small Group: Continue with 2x1 to 3x3; add 4x4. Every Month Skip Shot Magazine will find out about five favorite songs on the iPOD of various people in the water polo community and let them explain why those songs made the cut. Technical: • Position: Players should continue to play a variety of positions with an emphasis on the complete player. Begin to introduce specific Goalie – Men’s Senior National Team • Develop a good overall fundamental base with and without the ball. Genai Kerr, • Emphasize press defense, counter attack and press offense position training for the center and the goalkeeper. 1 > Bob Marley – “War” country today. I was so pumped up when I heard it in fundamentals. • Team: Start teaching possession of the ball concepts. My father knew Bob Marley so I a club in California. • Develop the individual skills under the pressure of time, space and Goalkeeper becomes involved in the counter attack. Base 6x5 grew up listening to reggae. His an opponent. and 5x6 structure. 4> Sean Paul – “The Trinity” • System: Base concepts for defense, counter attack, offense 6x5 lyrics carry such a strong message. • Increase technical speed. • Encourage taking risks. I became friends with Sean Paul and his brother, Jason, and 5x6. Keep it simple. Love of the game and the fundamentals My favorite song is “War” which through water polo. He took me to his studio while Tactical: are still more important. There should be a great deal of coaching talks about how ‘Until the philosophy which hold finishing “The Trinity” so I have always liked that CD. • 1x1 game-specific situations defense, offense and counter attack in 2x2, 3x3 and 4x4 situations. one race superior and another inferior is finally and I gave him a USA Water Polo hat that he said he is going • Small group: 2x1, 2x2, 3x2 and 3x3 situations (defense, counter- permanently discredited and abandoned - Everywhere attack and offense). Physical: to wear in his next video. • Conditioning with and without the ball. is war’. • Position: Players must play a variety of positions. They must develop 5 > Kanye West – an awareness of the game. Emphasize the complete player and the • Flexibility: static and dynamic stretching. 2 > Ziggy Marley – “Free Like We Want 2 B” • Agility: Coordination with and without the ball. I think the Marleys are the most musically talented “Stronger” basic principles of play. • Defense: Basic principles of press defense. • Strength: non-weight bearing and core strength. family. Ziggy started singing as a child and continues Before games I • Offense: Basic principles of press offense. • Speed and endurance activities. to carry on his father’s legacy with songs like “Free Like like to listen to music that pumps • Counter Attack: Basic principles. Psychological: We Want 2 B.” • Team: Team tactics do not take a priority at this age. Focus is me up. It is always • The game should still be fun and enjoyable. placed on body positioning and the skills. Players play a variety of Players should have a passion for the game. 3 > Damian Marley – Welcome to Jam Rock” changing but most positions and emphasis is placed on player development instead of • Imagination and creativity. I was in Kingston when Damian Marley came out with recently I get fired “Welcome to Jam Rock.” Most of the Jamaicans love his getting results. • Increase demands. • Establish practice goals. up with Kanye • System: Put players in the water for the love of the game, without lyrics because they can relate to what is going on in the Genai Kerr and recording artist • Maintain discipline. • Encourage players to watch high school, West’s “Stronger.” Sean Paul spend some time on spending much time coaching a system. Focus on teaching the college and national team games. 20 the pool deck. fundamentals as opposed to systems. usawaterpolo.org 21 In order to get into the magazine, we need high-quality digital photos (jpegs of 300 dpi or better) so that your brilliance is brought to life on our glossy pages. So send in your masterpieces. Email all photos to: [email protected]. There is no assurance that your photos will run in USA Skip Shot Magazine. Editorial decisions are made by the maga- zine staff. Once we receive your photos, they become property of USA Water Polo and may be used for print or publication.

Welcome to Skip Shot Magazine’s Hot Shots page, featuring shots from your fingertips. The person who submits each issue’s best HOT SHOT will receive a free Mikasa men’s or women’s water polo ball. For more information on Mikasa visit www.MikasaSports.com. This issue’s winner is Alex Smith >>>>>>>

5 METERS (continued)

The Rule: (WP 21.5) player or “track” the motion of the offense before they release the ball. Any infraction “It shall be an exclusion foul……….. of these guidelines should result in the de- USA WATER POLO REFerendum To interfere with the taking of a free fensive player being excluded for interfer- With Jim Cullingham throw, goal throw, or corner throw, ence. If the defensive player does drop off What we hope to achieve with this col- including: of the offense, using 1.5 to 2 meters as umn is a step toward better communica- (a) intentionally to throw away or fail to a guideline, they are free to play a more tion and understanding of our game and the release the ball to prevent the normal prog- active defense. “Field blocks” are legal and Honorable mention to the way it is officiated. It is our intention that ress of the game; permissible as long as the previously out- remaining photo submissions. this communication will become a two-way lined guidelines are met. (b) any attempt to play the ball before it Top left & Middle: Alex Smith street involving input from players, coaches The offensive player is allowed to move to has left the hand of the thrower. Bottom left: Jeremy Pollard and referees. the ball once the foul has been committed As the column evolves over the next few (Note. A player is not to be penalized un- and should be allowed some time to regain Bottom right: Mike Atkinson months, we will touch on a variety of issues der this Rule if the player does not hear the his/her position, look at the goal, and get and concerns in an effort to clarify the play- whistle as a result of being under the water. to the ball. Once the offensive player gets ing rules, their interpretation and their ap- The referee must determine if the actions to and touches the ball, he/she must take plication. Please feel free to send your feed- of the player are intentional. the free pass or direct shot without undue back, questions or ideas for future columns Interference with a throw may take delay. to [email protected]. place indirectly when the ball is hampered, Any attempt by the offense to purposely In our first attempt at this goal we offer delayed, or prevented from reaching the move into the defense with the sole intent the following: player who is to take the throw, or it may of drawing an interference call should be occur when the execution of the throw is ignored by the referee, or even called as Pardon The Interference! interfered with by an opponent blocking the a contra foul if the action is such that it Just what is considered “legal” defense direction of the throw or by disturbing the prevented the defense from maintaining its and what is allowed on the part of the offen- actual movement of the thrower. position. sive player after an ordinary foul has been The Concept: Thanks! committed (and called)? The defender may keep his/her ground We hope that this brief first installment The situation applies not only to free after the foul and has no obligation to move has been of some value and we look forward throws awarded anywhere in the field back or “drop off” the offense, but may not to this space providing an educational and of play, but also to potential direct shots remain in contact with the offensive play- enlightening open forum between all those on goal after an ordinary foul and free er. They (the defense) may raise an arm involved in this game, be they players, fans, throw has been awarded outside the 5- straight up or behind their heads, but MAY coaches, or officials. meter line. NOT make any motion into the offensive 22 usawaterpolo.org 23 Photo Courtesy of IU Athletics Photo

Among the hundreds out party, that is what of athletes and thou- happens at a tourney sands of fans and sup- like this and t’s a great porters who descended College Recruiting situation.” upon Northern Califor- For coaches like nia for the 2007 S & R King, Salyer and Buck- Sport Junior Olympics, nell’s John Abdou, there was a group of another part of the people at nearly every recruiting challenge pool that weren’t neces- Indiana Head Coach Barry King is one of the many college coaches to attend the 2007 S & R Sport Junior Olympics. is finding players who sarily all that concerned will leave California to venture to places like Bloomington, College with who won and who lost, but more how the game was played. Park, and Lewisburg, Pa. “Coming from a school like Bucknell in the They were the college coaches who flock to this event en masse for East, I’m representing a different option for student athletes in the a four-day recruiting buffet that can’t be found anywhere else. area of a liberal arts college that offers water polo,” Abdou stated. With the men’s collegiate season fully underway and off-season He then added, “I come out here as much to recruit kids looking for workouts having already begun for the collegiate women, you can a different school water polo experience, as much as I’m looking to bet a host of athletes training in both areas came through the promote Bucknell itself.” Junior Olympic pipeline at some point. What the ABCD Camp and Salyer was along the same wavelength despite being at a school Five Star Invitational have meant to amateur basketball in recent much larger than that of Bucknell. “You are trying to get girls willing years is similarly translated to water polo. Missing, of course, are to go East for a different experience. We don’t have (water polo) the massive sneaker endorsements and sports agents. tradition, but we are in the process of building our own, and they But the college coaches sure are in attendance. A quick scan of can help build a tradition,” Salyer concludes. the deck at any of the pools during this year’s girls’ Junior Olympics Of course the needs for every coach differ from year to year, but will find folks in the crowd wearing gear from UCLA to Siena and one constant remains the same – they come to Junior Olympics to everywhere in between. They come in droves and mark the event see the best and that is not likely to change anytime soon. on their calendars like a yearly holiday because not only do coach- es get a closer view at some of the best water polo talent going, they also get to serve as a walking billboard for their colleges and universities. Like any good buffet, this concoction of talent has a little bit of something for everybody, from the powerhouse programs like Stanford and California to those battling for contention in the top 20 like Pomona-Pitzer and Villanova. That said, all coaches are using this opportunity to improve their squad, sell their school, and find the best available talent possible to join their program. Todd Clapper, head coach of the Arizona State women’s squad, as well as the USA national team coach for the women’s youth division, is one of the many coaches who finds great value at JOs. “We are looking at people we’ve seen a good bit of, and we are also looking at people we need to see more of, to see if they have improved,” Clapper stated. While some may think JOs is an opportunity just to fill immediate needs, coaches can also put younger athletes on their radar and watch them progress over the coming years. “You have kids with a lot of physical ability, and you want to keep an eye on them,” Clapper added. Salyer, the head coach at the University of Maryland, had similar sentiments. “We try to strike the balance, trying to identify girls for the current recruiting cycle and the future,” Salyer said. Regardless of it being talent for the present or talent for the future, coaches are just looking to make a name for their school and find the best players available. Barry King, embarking on his 11th season as head coach at Indiana University, follows that ex- act formula. “It’s two-fold, the first thing is you’re making sure the program gets exposure, parents and players see you poolside, and they keep the institution fresh in their minds. The second is player evaluation, trying to find that one diamond in the rough. A coming

24 In The ZONE Central California Zone On Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2007, the San Diego teams in two divisions: sixth grade & younger Chair – Brent Bohlender Hall of Champions inducted its second class and eighth grade & younger. Each division has www.centralcalwaterpolo.com into the Hall’s new Officials Wing. five teams coming from six clubs: Dirty Bay, Cy Fair WPC, Lone Star WPF, Jesuit WPC, Wood- The Central California zone is heavily in- Dave Alberstein was honored with his induc- lands WPC, and HWP South. This is the third volved in the high school season. In some areas tion into the San Diego Hall of Champions as edition of the league and it has grown each and of the zone, pre high school programs are being the first aquatics official. every year. The athletes will compete in the conducted and they will gather on Sundays for As past president and a founding member of championships at Clear Lake High School on scrimmages. In regards to zone administra- the San Diego Water Polo Officials Association Sunday, Oct. 28. tion, a deadline of Nov. 1 has been established and Past USA Water Polo Pacific Southwest Zone for applicants for the position of zone youth or chair, Alberstein played a leading role in the In addition to the previously listed eighth cadet coaches. This involves both boys’ and girls’ growth and development of water polo in San grade & younger teams, athletes are playing programs. Diego throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s. As a FINA throughout the state of Texas. Teams in Austin, San Antonio, and two teams from the Dallas Johansen High’s and Central California Zone referee representing the United States, Alberstein area are competing and developing the middle Chair Brent Bohlender, the godfather of water was the first American to whistle as a neutral school athlete. Along with the Houston teams, polo coaches in the Stanislaus District, cel- referee in a European tournament and traveled frequently with these teams will be getting together on Sunday, the USA men’s Nov. 4, in Austin, Texas, at the University of and women’s Texas Swim Center for the First Annual Texas teams for inter- Age Group State Championships. This is the national events. beginning of future success in and around the As a volunteer, Al- Lone Star State. In addition to the young kids, berstein actively the high school boys and girls will be complet- led organization ing their seasons at the University of Texas in development and Austin at the Texas State High School Champi- delivered referee onships, Oct. 19-20. training through- The “Texas Open Cup Series” will be decided out the country, this November at the Dallas Fall Tournament, and was instru- to be held Nov. 10-11, in Southlake, Texas. This mental in bring- is the final of five tournaments throughout the ing the women’s year which award points based on placing and program to inter- participation. Dallas WPC and the Houston The women’s national team conducted a P.A.C.E. clinic in Tacoma Wash., where national status WPC are tied atop the standings with HOPS all those that attended the clinic enjoyed a full day of water polo instruction. and eventual rec- and Texas A&M close behind the leaders. For ognition as an complete information on the Texas Cup, please Olympic sport. visit www.southwestwaterpolo.com. ebrated his 1,200th varsity win – and his 57th Alberstein currently residesin Los Ala- birthday – when his boys’ and girls’ teams swept mos, N.M., and continues in his 40th year Southeast Zone Beyer on Tuesday, Oct. 2, to stay unbeaten in the as an active referee for United States of Chair – Norm Havercroft Modesto Metro Conference. America Water Polo, Collegiate Water Polo www.southeastwaterpolo.com Association, and other high school and South Florida Aquatics held a 14-and-under Pacific Northwest collegiate competition. developmental clinic and game day on Sun- and Hawaii Zone day, Sept. 16, 2007. The day included in-water Chair – Mike Claus Southern Pacific Zone instruction from coaches and referees (includ- www.pnwhzone.com Chair – George Ratkovic ing Leo Gonzalez, Ziggy Bogdan, and Michael A P.A.C.E. clinic was recently held in Ta- www.sopacwp.com Goldenberg), followed by coed games for the young players in our zone. Thanks to coach coma, Wash. Members of both the men’s and The 1st Annual North Irvine Girls’ Clas- Heather Patchen and Ann Plitnick for providing women’s senior national teams were on hand to sic will take place Oct. 14 at Northwood High such a great opportunity. give instruction. Led by the women’s national School and surrounding pools. There will be team head coach, the day-long clinic covered all three age brackets in the tourney, 14U, 16U, and Riptides hosted their winter Developmental the basics of water polo and provided all who 18U. For more information contact stevecar- Clinic and Fun Day in September. The event attended with a great day of fun. [email protected]. provided an opportunity for kids to learn about the sport while enjoying a day of fun in Pacific Southwest Zone Southwest Zone the pool! Chair – Al Frowiss Chair – Jimmy Linehan www.psw-wp.org www.southwestwaterpolo.com Dave Alberstein - was inducted into the San The Greater Houston Junior Water Polo Fall Diego Hall of Champions League is in the middle of its season with 10

26 Seahawks Honor Heroes In Tunnel To Tower Run

New York, N.Y. - The Wagner Col- This run is not an easy one. The tunnel, “It’s a long run, it’s hot and you have to lege Women’s Water Polo team par- which encompasses more than half the get up early and sweat,” Hoelck remarked. run, is poorly ventilated and not designed “But seeing the faces of everyone lined up ticipated in the sixth annual Stephen to have 18,000 people traveling through by in the tunnel and through the streets, and Siller Tunnel to Towers 5K Run on foot. In addition, things often become quite knowing whose footsteps you are following, Sunday, Sept. 30, joining thousands congested as faster runners weave their makes it all worth it.” way past slower walkers. of others who paid homage to Siller, As the defending 2007 MAAC champions a member of the New York City Fire The run began at the entrance to the emerged from the tunnel, they were greet- Department, and all the others who Brooklyn Battery Tunnel and snaked its way ed with raucous applause from the Wagner lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001. through Battery Park to Ground Zero. As Seahawk Cheerleading Squad, which was the team followed in Stephen Siller’s very also on hand to support its own team as On that tragic morning, Siller was on footsteps, they made their way to the mid- well as the thousands of other runners. The his way home after working the night shift when he heard on his scanner that there had been an explosion at the World Trade Center. He turned his truck around and headed directly to the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel. After his truck was denied access into the tunnel, he made his way, on foot

and in full gear, into what would be his final Photo Miller by Mike hour. The Tunnel to Towers Run was estab- lished in 2002 to honor not only his legacy, but also to honor to all of the other service men and women who gave their lives that day so that others may live. “Participating in the Tunnel to Towers Run summons conflicting and equally powerful emotions,” said head coach Pat Beemer, whose team has taken part in every run since it’s inception in 2002. “On the one hand, it recognizes a dastard- ly attack against America that took place directly in Wagner’s backyard,” Beemer continued. “While the run evokes solemn, tangible feelings of remorse, on the other side of the spectrum, it also serves as a cel- The Wagner College women’s water polo team took part in the Sixth Annual ebration of not just the heroism of people Tunnel to Towers Run this past September. like Stephen Siller and others who lost their lives, but of the power of this country to race then concluded through Battery Park persevere and unite as one.” and back out onto the streets of Manhat- tan to the finish line. Since water polo is a sport that competes “Participating in the in the spring season, the run also served as The journey back to campus was a reflec- a meaningful and important team-bonding Tunnel to Towers Run tive one for the Seahawks because while experience. the collection of Wagner players and staff summons conflicting that participated are far from being con- “I feel that this experience brings us closer sidered native New Yorkers, they were able together,” said freshman Laura Vanderbent. to come together to honor a worthy cause “We graduated half of our team from last and equally powerful just the same. year, so the six freshmen are really going to be an important part of our family.” emotions.” “This was my third straight year in the run – Pat Beemer, Head Coach and I think this it was important on many Running in this event as a team not only levels,” stated senior Camille Karimzad, a serves to unify the new and veteran players, northern California resident. “it brought but it also exposes them to an environment point of the tunnel and were greeted by the us closer together as a team and we were that features thousands of people cheering image of what seemed like an endless line able to honor the memory of those that and supporting each other’s efforts. of men and women from the NYPD and were lost on 9/11, along with celebrating “You are not just cheering your team on, FDNY. Many of these real-life heroes joy- the great patriotic spirit of America.” it’s the whole city,” commented senior cap- fully waived American flags while banners Visit www.tunneltotowersrun.org for tain Billy Hoelck. “We’re representing the hung from their shoulders emblazoned with more information or to become a part of unity of the country.” pictures of fellow service men and women the 2008 Tunnel to Tower Run. who perished on that tragic day.

28 Tony Azevedo 2-Time Olympian

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ShotMaker The ShotMaker is the ultimate tool to develop your shooting and receiving skills. It can be used on the deck or the angle can be adjusted and players can throw against the ShotMaker while in the pool. Get more repetitions in 15 minutes than in an entire practice.

Watch the training video featuring these products starring Rick and Tony Azevedo on the Media section of our web site! MikasaSports.com

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