THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF USA

QUALIFIED! USA Women Roll Through Olympic Qualifier To Punch Ticket To Rio

VOLUME 31, NUMBER 1, SPRING 2016 1ST EVER DARE TO DREAM p. 18

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF USA WATER POLO VOL. 31, NUM. 1, Spring 2016 What’s Inside... USA WATER POLO NATIONAL OFFICE ON THE COVER . . 2124 Main Street, Suite 240, The USA Women’s Inside Water...... 2 Huntington Beach, CA 92648 National Team celebrates (714) 500-5445 business • (714) 500-5449 membership • (714) 960-2431 fax Turbo 5 Meters...... 4 USA WATER POLO NATIONAL TRAINING CENTER qualifying for the 2016 11360 Valley Forge Ave., Olympic Games.

Los Alamitos, CA 90720 USA Women Roll Through Olympic Qualifier To Punch Ticket To Rio Photos courtesy Beeldboot QUALIFIED! 1ST EVER Water Polo Times ...... 8 (562) 799-8506 business • (562) 799-8508 fax DARE TO DREAM p. 18 WEB SITE www.usawaterpolo.org A Day in the Life...... 26

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Christopher Ramsey Water Polo Scene...... 27 CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Marty Samuels CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER From the Deck...... 28 Jim Callahan CHIEF ADVANCEMENT OFFICER Stephanie London Krogius Lob Shots...... 33 DIRECTOR, CLUB & MEMBER PROGRAMS Claudia Dodson DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS Hot Shots...... 36 Greg Mescall HIGH PERFORMANCE DIRECTOR John Abdou DIRECTOR OF MARKETING ReCaps Jeff Dyrek DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT Christy Medigovich Olympic Qualification. . . 12 DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES Gayle Shanks pg14 ReCaps OLYMPIC DEVELOPMENT OPERATIONS MANAGER National League. . . . . 13 Anne Laurence MEMBERSHIP & EVENTS MANAGER Kayla Heath ODP National Dare to Dream...... 16 FINANCE MANAGER Fay Hu TEXAS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Championships College Alumni ...... 17 Joe Linehan Pipeline Rich With Talent MARKETING COORDINATOR Annalece Montgomery FINA Texas ...... 18 DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR Yiyon Lee MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR Kathryn Manderino VIDEO PRODUCER Sherie Key EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE CEO Mai Lam RECEPTIONIST Look Ahead... Bryson Walker BOARD OF DIRECTORS Next Issue Michael Graff (Chairman), Ryan Bailey, Rudy Baldoni, RoAnn Costin, Richard Esterkin, Houston Hall, Ray Kennedy, Jeremy Laster, > Rio 2016 Preview Ellen Estes Lee, Sheldon Pang, Steve Rodosky, Vicky Rogers, Bill Smith, , Robert Sternfels EDITOR Greg Mescall CONTRIBUTORS Darcy Couch, Jim Cullingham, Ed Haas, Stan Schwimer, Kelley Casey, Allen Lorentzen, Kelley L. Cox, Angela Kraus, Peter Trabucco, Paul Ciaravino, Joey Rossi, Mark Felix, Jonathan Moore, Corbin Elliott, John Konstantaras pg20 PRINTING > Junior Olympics Preview Quad Graphics, 555 South 108th Street, West Allis, WI 53214 CREATIVE Adrenalin, Inc., 54 West 11th Ave., Denver, CO 80204 303-454-8888 • goadrenalin.com New Quadrennial, New Challenges

USA Water Polo Skip Shot Magazine (ISSN# 15507580) is published four times per year by United States Water Polo, Inc., located at 2124 Main Street, Suite 240, Huntington Beach, CA 92648. Periodicals postage is paid at Huntington Beach, CA 92648 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Skip Shot Magazine, United States Water Polo, Inc., 2124 Main Street, Suite 240, Huntington Beach, CA 92648 usawaterpolo.org 1 INSIDE WATER letter from the CEO, Christopher Ramsey USA WATER POLO

The Beauty of Our Game “When this team plays the way it can, that’s beautiful water polo.” – Coach Adam Krikorian

Art is eternal, unforgettable. time, it was 10-4. The final result, less interesting Committee Member from Hungary, wrote after than how we arrived there, was 15-7. the game, “It was water polo in its prime; Steffens Last month a rare moment of beauty occurred & Co. seemed to walk on water as they scored from in our sport. It was unleashed in the first half of One difference between sport and art is that we all possible situations, man-up, counter, action, a game against —and may be remembered keep score. Where art and sport can merge, on an drive-in. Any angle, any time.” beyond the score or the tournament or even the uncommon day, is when the score is less compel- prized Olympic bid. ling to the observer than the Technicolor memory It’s not terribly often in the whitewater churn of of the contest. international water polo that we are truly inspired It was my privilege to attend the Olympic Quali- by the splendor of our game. That splendor exists, fication tournament in Gouda, Netherlands. At In the Greece game, Team USA played stunning, though, and can reveal itself at any time, just as game time of its match with Team USA, Greece exceptional defense. The relentless pressure led to Michelangelo described when he “saw the angel in had been the surprise of the tournament, unde- wave after wave of counter attacks, so rapid that the marble and carved until I set him free.” Con- feated in its first three games. For our part, we were at times our team reminded me of a dolphin pod gratulations to our team for making a memory not coming off a hard-fought 8-6 victory over Spain. racing from Dana Point to Laguna Beach. The speed of transition built upon itself. You could soon forgotten while qualifying for Rio—and for Gouda boasted a small venue, and I watched from sense the anticipation on our defensive end of the inspiring all of us to make more memories from a few feet away with an assortment of water polo our beautiful game. pool spanning seamlessly into each of our offen- lifers from many of the world’s great sporting na- sive possessions. Anticipation led to creativity. The tions. gaps between defenders widened under the relent- The game began innocently enough. less torrent of speed, allowing an array of wet and scored on a skip shot for a 1-0 lead. Greece evened dry passes, drives and shots of all descriptions. The the contest, but the United States came back with players in each case not only converted chances two more, one from and another but also created original pathways and combina- from . Greece mustered another tions, gorgeous in their conception and result. power play goal to pull within 3-2, but we were just One veteran Australian turned to me in the second Chris beginning our work. In the span of two minutes quarter and said, “Your team is playing really beau- , Maggie Steffens and Neushul strung tiful water polo.” Gergely Csurka, FINA Media goals together to build a 6-2 advantage. By half-

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USA WATER POLO WATER POLO

Five Questions with... CHRIS CULLEN, Denton (TX) ISD the water polo impact on the Dallas area have you seen club water polo surge in recent Head Water Polo Coach & Thunder Water because of the tournament? years? Polo Coach CC: It has been received very well in our area. CC: The number kids playing club water polo SKIPSHOT: My wife met people in the stands who had throughout the state has grown as well. My Lewisville, never watched water polo before but came out club had over 200 kids last summer. The Texas, recently due to the media coverage. We’ve had more number of club teams throughout our zone hosted the interest in our club programs from people in has nearly doubled. As the level of high school FINA Women’s the area. water polo has improved, more kids want to play year round. Intercontinental SS: You’ve worked hard along with many Tournament, the others to get water polo sanctioned by the SS: The high school season is underway in first time a water state of Texas at the high school level. What’s Texas, and you coach in Denton. For boys’ and polo event like the latest on this initiative? How would UIL girls’ teams, which are some of the top ones to that has come to sanctioning change things for water polo? beat in 2016? Texas. What was CC: Currently the UIL Legislative Council CC: I say you can never count out the that experience has the proposal to sanction water polo in a champions. For the boys, St. Mark’s lost a like for the “continue to study the growth” pattern. At number of players but I know a great coach Texas water polo this time, it’s the only sport in consideration. like Mihai Oprea will have his team ready to community? As with any state government organization, defend its state championship. CHRIS CULLEN: It was fantastic to watch things move slowly—but we are encouraged For the girls, Southlake Carroll has a really the best players in the world up close and that we’re still in consideration. We’re strong team again and will be tough for personal. There were kids and parents in the working toward more growth throughout the anyone in the state to defeat. stands watching every night. It was great to state. We have 10 new teams this season in watch the teams, coaches and fans for this the Rio Grande Valley in far south Texas after Cy Creek girls and Jersey Village in Houston great event. only having one or two in years past for the girls will be solid and ready for our state championship tournament in late April. SS: There was constant media coverage SS: Club participation has grown in the state throughout the week. During the event and thanks to the efforts of many in the area. How after it ended, what have you heard regarding

My 1st Match Sami Hill, Women’s Senior National Team May, 2004– Santa Barbara, CA I played my very first water polo game when I was 11 years old in May 2004. It was a coed 12-and-under division game in a Santa Barbara league. I remember being so nervous because I had only been to a couple of practices and didn’t quite yet understand the game all that well. My parents also had no idea what to expect, since they’d never really watched water polo before. We still have the home video of the game with my parents’ voices in the background, trying to figure out what was going on in the pool! Sadly I don’t remember too much about the game except for that I had no idea how to swim with the ball—starting out as a field player, it wasn’t until later that I became a goalie. I ended up having so much fun because our team was just a bunch of my friends! My fellow senior team member Kiley Neushul played in my first game alongside me and was also the reason I joined water polo in the first place. Kiley happened to be on my little sister Kodi’s basketball team, and her family suggested one day that we both try water polo. From then on I was totally hooked. Only a couple of months after my first game I played in my first Junior Olympics in Florida and won a Silver medal. I am thankful that I was exposed to water polo at a young age, and my love for the sport only grew as I got older. It’s the love for Sami Hill (left) and sister Kodi show off some hardware the game that pushed me all these years to become the best athlete that I can possibly be from an early water polo game. and gave me the opportunity to represent my country.

4 WATER POLO Did You Know? My Music Did you know that the LUCA CUPIDO, MEN’S SENIOR NATIONAL TEAM/ 2016 Olympic Qualifica- UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY WATER POLO “Hey Brother” by Avicii—Reminds tion Tournament in me of the bus rides during the Junior Gouda, Netherlands, World Championships. I played this represented the first song before every game. “House Party” by Sam Hunt—Last summer I always listened time a USA Water Polo to this song after practice. National Team had to “Diventerai una star” by Finley—I play this song whenever compete since 2000 I’m in my room getting ready for a game. when the USA Women’s “Stole the Show” by Kygo—Reminds me of summer practice. “What Do You Mean” by Justin Bieber—During my college season, National Team qualified in Palermo, Italy? That led to a Silver medal finish the other foreign players and I got together and played this song at the 2000 Olympic games in Sydney, . every time before games, singing and laughing all together.

HEY SHIELDY, OH HEY GANG, COME ON SHIELDY, THAT‛S HOW WE THE ADVENTURES OF WHAT ARE YOU BLUE white I‛M HERE TO DEFENSE, YOU DON‛T DO IT BLUE, MAKE DOING AT THE WATCH SOME WE‛VE GOT BLUE white LIKE THE THOSEBLUE POWER white 00:00 POOL TODAY? COLLEGE TO GET 07:10 WHITE PLAYS COUNT. WATER POLO. BACK ON TEAM? 03:15 0 0 THIS IS DEFENSE. 0 1 GOING TO BE A GREAT WATER POLO IT‛S NOT THAT I DONT LIKE THEM, GAME. IT‛S JUST THAT THE TEAM IN BLUE CAPS, THAT‛S WHERE I PLAYED IN YEAH BLUE, OH COOL, I‛VE NEVER COLLEGE. WE CAN DO WATER POLO SEEN A REAL COLLEGE THIS! GAME BEFORE. 5 3 OHHHHH, WELL THAT GO BLUE! MAKES SENSE I HATE NOW... THE WHITE LET‛S GO WATER TEAM, IPOLO WELL HANG OUT HERE, BLUE! HOPE THEY YOU ARE GOING TO SEE NEVER WIN SOME GOOD WATER SHIELDY ANOTHER illustrated POLO. GAME. by CONNOR, CAN I HAVE A paul ciaravino 1 WORD WITH YOU OUTSIDE? CONNOR, I‛M GLAD YOU ARE ROOTING FOR THE BLUE TEAM SORRY ABOUT THAT SHIELDY, I WON‛T SAY ANYTHING MEAN ABOUT BUT THAT ISN‛T THE RIGHT WAY TO DO IT. BLUE whiteYEAH WHITE TEAM... THE OTHER TEAM. SOUNDS GOOD TAKE THAT... WHAT DO YOU CONNOR, JUST WE‛RE MEAN SHIELDY? I THOUGHT REMEMBER, YOU 00:10 CONNOR! GONNA WE WANT BLUE TO WIN. WOULDN‛T WANT WHAT? I WIN IT. ANYONE SAYING WAS JUST WE DO WANT BLUE TO WIN, BUT WE SHIELDY SOMETHING MEAN SAYING DON‛T EVER NEED TO INSULT OUR ABOUT YOU. TAKE THAT OPPONENT, WHETHER WE ARE PLAYING LOSS YEAH, WITH MY AGAINST THEM OR CHEERING 1 YOU‛RE AGAINST THEM. DEEPEST RIGHT. 9 6APOLOGIES.

GOOD, NOW LET‛S ENJOY THE GAME. WATER POLO VERY FUNNY, WELL I GUESS YOU‛VE TAUGHT ME A NEW WAY TO CHEER. WATER POLO SHIELDY, YOU‛RE THE BEST!

FINDING THE FUNNY in Water Polo The transformation has begun. After decades of being a water polo player, coach, They say that blowing the whistle is a thankless job. That’s not true, I’ve heard a and fan, I recently decided to start refereeing. It wasn’t because the grass was greener sarcastic “Thanks a lot, ref!” quite a few times. (or the pool was bluer…or something). I knew officiating is a tough job. I just figured At least the uniform is cool. If I stop to get a cup of coffee on the way to the game, I it’d be a good way to stay involved with the sport. I thought this was noble, but a friend feel like people think I’m either an unemployed painter or just a few decades late to a literally commented on my first day, “Welcome to the dark side.” Puff Daddy party. Water polo is one of the most complex sports in the world. Its rules are full of I guess what I’ve learned so far is that refs have feelings, too. Sure, everyone makes intricacies and nuance. Despite this, it’s very easy to become an expert! I estimate mistakes, but if you’re patient you’ll see that most are working hard and doing a really it takes about two junior varsity games of barely paying attention to really know good job. I know—I was shocked, too! Now you can spend more time & energy on everything. That’s why some parents or rookie coaches feel very comfortable offering, teaching your young Jedis to let go of the ball when drawing a foul. But if you still want “That’s ridiculous, why don’t you call fouls for our team!” even though little Luke is still to yell, beware the power of the dark side—I mean, the yellow card! clinging to the ball like it’s a winning lotto ticket. Dave Williamson, www.DaveWilliamsonComedy.com Host of “Water Polo Dojo” podcast @WaterPoloDojo usawaterpolo.org 5 5 METERS Quick Shots from USA Water Polo

USA WATER POLO WATER POLO

Your thoughts on . .

Nic Carniglia–Men’s Senior National Adele (singer): Amazingly gifted. Love how her like an inside the 2M call. If you want to stay on Team/University of California, Berkeley songs make you really feel things. your coach’s good side, stay out of it. Water Polo Inside the 2 (penalty for being Zach Lowery–Flower Mound (TX) High Hoverboards/Self-Balancing Scooters: LAZY. inside two meters): Never School Water Polo /Thunder Water Polo/ Just a step above Segways. Southwest ODP seems to be called on the Favorite Cartoon Growing Up and Why: She other team but always on yours. Inside the 2 (penalty for being Ra Princess of Power! If you don’t know about inside two meters): Not enough Hoverboards/Self-Balancing Scooters: her, look her up! Epitome of girl power. Loved defensive players take advantage that I had a female superhero to look up to. Laziness at its finest. of it, but as an offensive player, I’m not too Favorite Cartoon Growing Up and Why: Ed fond of it. Best Dessert You’ve Ever Had: Anything Edd and Eddy because I loved watching all the made by Sharon Mathewson (Courtney Hoverboards/Self-Balancing Scooters: I Mathewson’s mom). new schemes they would come up with to make got one for Christmas. It stays in the garage, money that never worked. though—my mom is worried it may catch Adele (singer): Epic singer and songwriter. Best Dessert You’ve Ever Had: The Don Huevo on fire. Not my go-to for workout/pregame motivation, though. at Bodega Negra in New York! Look up a video Favorite Cartoon Growing Up and Why: and you will understand why. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! I watched every Larnie Boquiren–Women’s Senior Adele (singer): Awesome vocalist but will say I episode as a kid. My favorite turtle was Leon- National Team Head Athletic Trainer like “Rolling in the Deep” more than “Hello.” ardo, but after taking a quiz, I found out I was Inside the 2 (penalty for being the Michelangelo of our family. And as for why inside two meters): You can’t do –USA Women’s Senior I loved the TMNT? Ninja. Need I say more? that. The referee will blow the National Team Best Dessert You’ve Ever Had: I remember whistle, the coach will get angry, and you will Inside the 2 (penalty for being be taken out of the game. inside two meters): Lame! But going to The Rainforest Cafe with my grandma part of the game. And the quick- and always making sure to save room for des- Hoverboards/Self-Balancing Scooters: Anti- est way for your 30-second shot clock to end. sert, which was The Volcano! skeletal stimulating devices. When the body isn’t loaded the way it is during walking, we are Adele (singer): Hello from the other side (in a Hoverboards/Self-Balancing Scooters: Never losing an opportunity for our bodies to move. been on one. If I can’t balance on one leg on singing voice.) Great singer. I do like a couple my own, there’s no way I can survive on a of her songs, but I keep my playlists full of Favorite Cartoon Growing Up and Why: Duck hoverboard. country music. Tales (ooh woo ooo). I really enjoyed the theme song and the character Launch Pad. Favorite Cartoon Growing Up and Why: Molly Cahill–Assistant coach, UCLA Scooby Doo because my first dog growing up Women’s Water Polo Best Dessert You’ve Ever Had: Kings Hawaiian was named Scooby! Inside the 2 (penalty for being Rainbow Cake. inside two meters): The worst. Best Dessert You’ve Ever Had: Flourless Adele (singer): “Hello, it’s me.” Nothing ruins a good TO play chocolate cake from Sweet Lady Jane.

TWITTY Aria Fischer - @AriaFischer - Happy International Women’s BANTER Day! I’m lucky to train with these strong badass women every The latest in the day @USAWP #goUSA world of Twitter Maggie Steffens - @MaggieSteffens - Just re-watched Forest from USA Water Polo Gump and it is easily one of the best movies ever made... @tomhanks is a legend #thatdamnfeather Athletes. Be sure to - @JohnMannUSA - @newyorkac new elevator door is follow them and awesome! Proud of one of my great friends @WaterPoloTony and all he has accomplished follow us @USAWP.

6 at pepperdine university Open to Any and All Ages 12 to 19 2016 water polo camp Session 1: June 12-16 Session 2: June 19-23 coached by olympians Session 3: June 26-30 Terry Schroeder is a two-time Olympic Head Coach, Four-time Olympian and Session 4: July 10-14 Captain of the back-to-back silver overnight and day camp medals in 1984 and 1988. He is options available considered to be one of the greatest players to ever play the game. He is currently Head Coach at Pepperdine University.

Merrill Moses is a two-time Olympian and silver medal winner in 2008. He will be representing sponsored by TEAM USA for a 3rd time in the 2016 Olympic Games. He is considered one of the best goalkeepers in the world. He is currently Assistant Coach at Pepperdine University. Register at MALIBUH2OPOLOCAMP.COM For more information, email [email protected] or call 805.371.1495 WATER POLO TIMES News Briefs USA WATER POLO USA Water Polo Hall Of Famer Peter Ueberroth Receives NCAA Roosevelt Award Via NCAA.com Marking a successful career in business and sports, Peter Ueberroth was recognized in January at the NCAA Convention with the NCAA’s highest honor, the Theodore Roosevelt Award. Named after the former president whose concern for the conduct of college athletics led to the formation of the NCAA in 1906, the award is given annually at the NCAA Honors Celebration to an individual who exemplifies the ideals of college sports. Ueberroth was previously named a 1984 NCAA Silver Anniversary Award honoree commemorating the 25th anniversary of his graduation from college. The young man peered at a striped yellow ball - he had never encountered one like it before. It was four weeks before his graduation from Fremont High School in Sunnyvale, California, and Peter Ueberroth was about to be presented with a life-altering opportunity. After swimming a few laps, a cinch given his background as a lifeguard, he fired that ball into a target, again Peter Ueberrroth, seen here during his 2010 USA Water Polo Hall of Fame and again. induction, was recently honored by the NCAA. Six decades later, Ueberroth still remembers trying that strange new sport ed profit of $232.5 million. Its use of corporate sponsors and a blockbuster in front of San Jose State University water polo coach Ed Rudloff. The television rights deal made it a model for future Olympic Games. And the meeting was arranged by Ueberroth’s high school football coach, Ken profit was used to create the LA84 Foundation, which awards grants to Stanger, a former San Jose State football player who recommended Rudl- youth sports organizations in California and conducts youth sports and off take a look at the strong-armed football and baseball player. coaching programs. In naming Ueberroth its Man of the Year in 1984, If not for the opportunity provided by the water polo scholarship that re- Time magazine lauded him for putting on “an extraordinary spectacle, sulted from that tryout, the future Time magazine Man of the Year said he showing what America’s entrepreneurial spirit can do.” wouldn’t even have attended college. Ueberroth’s experience at San Jose His next challenge? In 1984, he became Major League Baseball com- State served as a springboard to a career spent at the highest levels of busi- missioner. According to MLB, Ueberroth’s tenure was marked by record ness and sports. Now, the 78-year-old chairman of Contrarian Group - an attendance for four straight seasons, greater awareness of crowd control investment and management company - who once thought he would never and alcohol management within ballparks, and significantly improved don a cap and gown has honorary degrees from 11 schools. finances. He negotiated two landmark television deals: a four-year, “My parents were terrific, but they hadn’t gone to college, so there $1.1 billion contract with CBS; and a four-year, $400 million deal with was no reason for me to go,” said Ueberroth, whose father had a sixth- ESPN. When Ueberroth left in 1988, all 26 of MLB’s clubs were at least grade education. breaking even. Ueberroth initially told Rudloff that while it was nice of him to show inter- “He helped our game become more open to change, especially in the mar- est, Ueberroth hadn’t taken the requisite coursework and already had a real keting and business areas, at a time when a new approach was greatly job. But Rudloff and Stanger persisted, calling Ueberroth’s parents in an needed,” current MLB Commissioner Robert D. Manfred Jr. said. “I have effort to persuade him to give water polo a chance. Ueberroth ended up always admired Peter for being an intelligent and insightful individual serving as captain of the freshman team for the 1955 season. who had a remarkable career in sports and business.” “The first water polo game I ever saw,” Ueberroth quipped, “I played in.” Two decades after his success organizing the Olympics in Los Angeles, Ueberroth was named chairman of the board of the United States Olympic Rudloff, now 92, speaks fondly of Ueberroth and has stayed in touch Committee. He not only excelled in his duties, but made those around with his former pupil. Ueberroth participated in the Olympic Trials as a him better, said Mark Lewis, NCAA executive vice president of sophomore and led San Jose State in scoring as a junior and senior before championships and alliances. Lewis got to know Ueberroth well while graduating in 1959 with a business degree. serving in executive positions with the USOC and Salt Lake Olympic “It was obvious he was a young man that would have a high level of com- Organizing Committee. petence and he was also quite competitive,” Rudloff said. “Every once in a “Peter cares about sports and our country, and he has spent much of his while, you’ll see a student who was a standout, and Peter was.” professional career making them both better,” Lewis said. “The Olympics After college, Ueberroth went to work in the travel industry, using the that we all know and watch was largely shaped by what Peter accom- business acumen and tenacity learned at San Jose State to found a compa- plished with his team in 1984. He truly transformed the way that this event ny that eventually grew into the country’s second-largest travel business. is presented to the world.” He sold it when he was given the opportunity to serve as president and Ueberroth, who today works as an entrepreneur and humanitarian, chief executive officer of the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee isn’t finished. Amid his litany of accomplishments, which evokes the ahead of the 1984 Summer Olympic Games. most pride? Staged without government financing, the event generated an unprecedent- “I haven’t done it yet,” he said.

8 News Briefs WATER POLO TIMES

Steve holds a BA in English from Villanova University and MS in Finan- New Directors From cial Markets and Trading from the Stuart School of Business in Chicago. Steve and his family have volunteered with Operation Smile, a charity Connecticut, Texas & which performs surgeries on children with facial deformities in the third California Tapped For USA world. They have also been deeply involved with the Samueli Academy, a charter school in Orange County serving students in the foster care sys- Water Polo Board tem. Steve is on the board of directors for the Boys and Girls Club of the Harbor Area and is an active supporter of US Olympics. A total of three water polo veterans from across the nation have been added to the USA Water Polo Board of Directors. Houston Hall, a Steve and his wife Kim have lived in Newport Beach for 14 years. They current Masters player from Dallas, Texas, Steve Rodosky, a water polo have six children--4 boys and 2 girls. Their sons Charlie and Jack play for parent from Newport Beach, and William (Bill) Smith, a club leader from the UCSB Gauchos. William plays for Corona Del Mar high school and Greenwich, Connecticut, began their service at a meeting of the Board Matthew is an 8th grader in the CDM Club program. Their daughters, held in Dallas this past February. Hall and Rodosky are both newcomers Annie and Emily, prefer horseback riding but acknowledge the sport will to the Board while Smith returns after a hiatus. find them soon enough.

Houston Hall is the co-founder and manager of Falcon Fund, Ltd., a Bill Smith Dallas, TX-based long-short equity hedge fund launched in 1990. Hall played his collegiate water polo at Harvard University, and is a strong Bill Smith has been involved with the sport of water polo for more than 25 advocate for expansion of water polo in Texas. years, as an athlete, coach and club director. In addition to age-group ath- letes, he also coached at three universities and was the assistant coach for Steve Rodosky is a managing director at PIMCO, in charge of US Interest the USAWP Cadet National Team at the World Championships in Serbia. Rate Trading and a portfolio manager for corporate pension plans. Presid- ing over a water polo family, four of his six children compete in the sport He is a prolific club organizer having founded several age group water from club to college. polo clubs and high school teams that have trained over 1,000 athletes in the Greenwich, CT area. Bill Smith is the Founder and CEO of Renaissance Capital, the global leader in helping Institutional Investment Managers and Hedge Funds Past USA Water Polo Board positions include Board Secretary, Chairman profit from IPOs with its Pre-IPO research. An enthusiastic booster for of the Finance Committee, and member of the Nominating, Development water polo growth nationally, Smith has founded a number of programs on and Compensation Committees. the East Coast that continue today. Smith played water polo at Villanova He is the Founder and CEO of Renaissance Capital (Established 1991), and over the years has also served as a coach and club director. the global leader in helping Institutional Investment Managers and Hedge “We are delighted that Houston, Bill and Steve are willing to commit their Funds profit from IPOs with its Pre-IPO research. Renaissance Capital talents and enthusiasm to our federation by serving in a governance capac- also helps individuals invest directly in the IPO market with its NYSE- ity,” said Mike Graff, Board Chairman. “Their leadership brings us new listed Renaissance IPO ETFs (USA and International). skills and perspectives, as well as further geographical diversity consistent Mr. Smith has an MBA in Finance from the Wharton School (Univ. with our desire to expand water polo across the nation. I am grateful to of Pennsylvania) and a BS in Electrical Engineering from Villanova them for accepting this responsibility.” University. He has two children that played D-1 water polo at Harvard and Stanford Houston Hall Houston Hall is the co-founder and manager of Falcon Fund, Ltd., a Dal- las, TX-based long-short equity hedge fund launched in 1990. Falcon Fund invests in a wide range of securities and businesses, with a strong focus La Salle (PA) Adds Men’s & on U.S. publicly-traded equities. Since 2007, Falcon Fund has operated exclusively as a family-office investment partnership. Women’s Water Polo Mr. Hall is also a co-founder of BioMatrix Partners, Ltd., a family-owned La Salle University will add three new teams to its varsity sports pro- investment partnership focused on public and private biotechnology com- gram this coming academic year. The women’s golf, men’s water polo, panies, with an emphasis on early-stage opportunities. In addition, Mr. and women’s water polo teams are slated to begin competition in the Hall is co-founder and Chairman of Agilis Biotherapeutics, LLC, a Cam- 2016–17 season. bridge, MA-based biotech company focused on the development of gene “We are excited to therapies for rare diseases of the central nervous system. add women’s golf and Mr. Hall earned an A.B. in Economics from Harvard College in 1982, men’s and women’s where he played on the school’s first varsity water polo teams. He contin- water polo to our of- ues to be involved in water polo at the local level with the Dallas Water fering of varsity pro- Polo Club, and has been instrumental in the successful development and grams, and we look growth of the sport at the junior level in North Texas the past five years. forward to our first varsity competition this coming fall,” said Director of Athletics Tom Brennan, Ed.D. “All three sports are growing in popular- Steve Rodosky ity, and have a very strong high school presence and support in the Mid- Atlantic region.” Steve Rodosky is a managing director at PIMCO, in charge of US Inter- est Rate Trading and a portfolio manager for corporate pension plans. He The addition of the women’s golf and men’s and women’s water polo will serves on the Treasury Borrowing Advisory Committee in Washington bring the total number of varsity programs at La Salle to 25. This will give DC, consulting senior government officials quarterly. talented student-athletes the opportunity to compete in 11 men’s varsity programs and 14 women’s varsity programs at the University.

usawaterpolo.org 9 WATER POLO TIMES News Briefs USA WATER POLO

“We’re thrilled that Explorers will have the opportunity to compete in sidering five locations throughout the United States, USA Water Polo will three sports that have been significantly growing in demand in recent bring the country’s preeminent age group water polo development events years,” said Colleen Hanycz, Ph.D., President of La Salle University. “This to the Tri-Valley, a four city cluster just 45 minutes east of San Francisco. decision will allow La Salle to take full advantage of our existing athletic Dougherty Valley High School in San Ramon will serve as the champi- facilities and to recruit additional student-athletes who will be successful onship venue for both the boy’s and girl’s competition with dates to be both in collegiate competition and in the classroom.” announced for each event. The water polo teams will be able to play in the six-lane, 25-yard Kirk Pool In addition to Dougherty Valley High School, ODP athletes will compete in the Hayman Center, an outstanding facility that already serves as the at Las Positas College, Robert Livermore Community Center, Amador home for the La Salle men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams. Valley High School, Foothill High School and San Ramon Valley High La Salle will be led by Head Coach Paul Macht and the women’s water School. This marks USA Water Polo’s first return to the Tri-Valley for polo team will compete in the MAAC with the men’s water polo team a major event since the USA Women’s National Team met China in an competing in the CWPA. exhibition match at Dougherty Valley High School in the Summer of 2010. “We are so excited to host USA Water Polo in the Tri-Valley. It is a per- fect fit for our pool facilities and our weather. The participants and their fans will have a great time exploring our other assets like wine country, Tri-Valley To Host USA premium shopping and great California cuisine,” said Barbara Steinfeld, President of Visit Tri-Valley. Water Polo ODP National “The Tri-Valley area in Northern California is an ideal spot for the ODP Championships In 2017 National Championships. The region is home to a large contingency of water polo families, and the history of high-level water polo in North- & 2018 ern California speaks for itself. We are excited about the strong proposal put forth by Tri-Valley and look forward to our partnership over the next The USA Water Polo Olympic Development Program National Champion- couple years of this event.” said John Abdou, USA Water Polo High Per- ships will have a new location come 2017 and 2018 as the ODP pipeline formance Director. will flow through the Tri-Valley area of Northern California. After con-

SUPPORTER SPOTLIGHT DRIVING FORCES BEHIND NORTH TEXAS WATER POLO The energy around water polo in George and Houston took on lead- North Texas is palpable, and partici- ership roles within the Dallas Water pation has reached an all-time high. Polo Club, including transitioning the George Fenton and Houston Hall are club from a local sports club to a state largely responsible. and nationally recognized nonprofit organization. With an ambitious vision George, an Australian who grew up to expand Dallas water polo, in 2009 George Fenton Houston Hall surfing, connected with water polo at George and Houston made a bold age 15 and was immediately hooked. decision and commitment that would the Texas growth initiative that have George joined a local club team, put Texas youth water polo on the enabled USAWP to invest human Balmoral, which practiced in a harbor map. By funding a grass roots position capital and financial resources to (ocean) pool, and at 18 switched to and investing a great deal of their promote and grow the game statewide the Universities Club, based at the own time to develop a strategic plan, and seed an innovative, sustainable University of Sydney, where he was North Texas has realized tremendous club model. a student. George continued playing growth, going from 75 youth athletes at Universities Club, rising to the 2nd Houston was recently nominated to and three high school teams in 2010 grade and competing with the best the USA Water Polo Board of Direc- to over 500 athletes and 50-plus high in all of Australia. At age 39, George tors and began his service in October school teams today. moved to the United States, eventually 2015. Houston brings valuable skills settling in Dallas where he joined the To show his support of water polo at and a new perspective to the Board. Dallas Water Polo Club. the national level, Houston joined USA Importantly, Houston’s appointment Water Polo’s annual fund as a Goal furthers the Board’s geographical Houston discovered his passion for - diversity consistent with USAWP’s water polo at St. Mark’s School in keepers Society member in 2013. After learning more about USAWP’s Texas commitment to expand water polo Dallas and went on to compete at initiatives—achieving UIL recognition across the nation. Harvard University. Houston was of water polo as an official high school instrumental in moving water polo Thank you George and Houston sport and increasing programming and from club to varsity status, proving for your dedication to our sport. professional development—George early on that he could affect positive Your leadership has already made and Houston saw an opportunity to change for the sport. Houston’s love an impact, and we look forward to partner with USAWP and help the of the game did not wane post college. continuing to work with you to take organization do even more to advance Upon moving back to Dallas, Houston water polo to the next level in Texas water polo throughout the state. In joined the Dallas Water Polo Club as a and beyond. 2015, each pledged contributions to master’s athlete.

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ReCaps USA WATER POLO TEAM USA NOW OFFICIALLY ON ROAD TO RIO When the USA Women’s National against developing France—and the game was Gouda as tournament champions. They met Team won the 2015 FINA World no contest from the start. Sisters Makenzie and Spain once more, this time in the semifinals Aria Fischer teamed up for nine goals as the and used a lethal 9/12 conversion rate on power Championship last summer, it was United States ran past France 19-0. plays to earn the victory. From there it was on the first time ever that one squad With that, a quarterfinal celebration broke to the Gold medal match against Italy. In the held all the major titles in women’s out that you’ll only see at the qualification first half, Team USA found itself trailing by water polo. tournament, as Team USA joined Spain, Italy, a goal—the women’s first deficit of the entire and Russia as those teams headed to Rio. The tournament. Shortly before the half, Head So it’s no surprise that some fans found it hard jubilation for the red, white, and blue was easy Coach Adam Krikorian was given a red card to believe that Team USA still had to qualify to find as months of preparation and years of for arguing with an official—but his departure for the 2016 Olympic games. Despite all the ac- anticipation for this very match were rewarded provided a spark. The second half was a dif- colades and victories, the number one team in with victory. ferent story. Allowing just one goal from Italy, the world had not yet earned the right to defend the United States delivered six goals for an 11-6 its Gold medal in Rio this summer. That, of “I’m so excited, I was so eager to achieve this victory and the Gold medal. course, all changed in late March in Gouda, dream with all these girls,” said captain Maggie Trophy in hand, the focus remained on Olym- Netherlands. Steffens. ”The best part of this day has been looking at my teammates’ eyes in the pool, giv- pic qualification—and for Krikorian, it means Team USA put on an offensive show over another chance to coach his team. ing a hug, and just saying ‘you’re gonna be an eight games of competition, outscoring the Olympian.’ That is the dream for all of us, and “It just makes you feel so good as a coach and as opposition 123-32 on its way to eight straight we did it together, so I’m really happy.” a staff; they are just so unselfish. They want to victories and the Gold medal. While ESPN’s do it for each other more than themselves,” he SportsCenter highlighted another finish atop Goalkeeper , who anchored said. “It says so much just about their character the podium, the real goal was accomplished two Team USA in net throughout the competition, and who they are as a people, more than just days earlier: qualifying for Rio. Everything else felt a sense of relief: “We’ve worked so hard for water polo players. That’s why coaching them was secondary. Given the top four teams from this, we’ve been practicing for I don’t know how has been a blast. I’m thankful we won mostly Gouda would qualify and only eight teams long, it feels like 20 years, and we are finally because now I get an opportunity to coach would advance to the quarterfinals, a normally getting to go to the Olympics. I was clenching them again for another four months, so I look pivotal match was deemed must win. my fists for the last two minutes of that game. I forward to the next four months.” was like, ‘I think we’re gonna go, I think we’re By the time this crucial catch came around, the gonna go—we’re going!’” photos courtesy Beeldboot hard work had been done. In blitzing through group play 5-0, Team USA defeated some of With qualification secured, there was still the the top contenders from around the world, matter of the semifinals and finals. Not a team including Spain, Greece, and Canada. This set to rest on its laurels, Team USA dug back in on them up with a relatively easy crossover match the hunt for some hardware, looking to leave

12 ReCaps

2016 NATIONAL LEAGUE GET CAUGHT UP AT USAWATERPOLO.ORG/NATIONALLEAGUE

photos courtesy Jared Gray

usawaterpolo.org 13 ReCaps USA WATER POLO

2016 ODP Boy’s De- Jakob Tallman Joseph Molina velopment National Garret Griggs Zane Drobenko Team Selections Reed Stemler Sebastian Jacobs Malakai Thomas Garrett Henderson Jack Reid 2016 Anthony Gross Christopher Kirby Noah Hodge Cody Linn Riley Catino Cooper Haddad Peter Poirier Riley Pittman Attacker Vanguard ODP BOY’S Victor Plunkett Chase Dodd Nicholas Johnson Nolan Krutonog Matthew Walsh Rylan Lantz Aidan Wattson Gavin Reed 2016 ODP Boy’s NATIONAL Adam Dow Curren McCarthy Youth National Peter Trinh William Harrison Team Selections Matthew Luci Nicholas Blout Sam Murphy CHAMPIONSHIP George Avakian Jacob Hotchkiss Luis Araya Nicholas Tierney Spencer Shelley Cameron Wright Ethan Parrish 2016 ODP Boy’s Patrick Burke RESULTS Owen Hale Cadet National Kyle McKenney Development Ilia Hobba Team Selections Samuel Krutonog Zachary Frazier Zachary Zetz Chasen Travisano 1st - Coastal Red Oliver Grant Matthew Hosmer Marko Vavic 2nd - SoPac Blue Maximus Chang Jacob Taylor Miles Cole 3rd - Pacific Red Zane Yamamoto Gabriel Putnam Felix Brozyna-Vilim Top Coach: James Smith, Southwest Noah Peters Joseph Cavazos Jacob Ehrhardt Top Referee: Alex Matal, Coastal Dimitriy Kobets Kaleb Archer Matthew Maier Lian Malas Anthony Tolbert Aaron Arias Cadet Jon Troxel Peyton Collins David Feingold Mason Maclear Jacob Watson Calvin Behm 1st - Central Charles Clark Adrian Weinberg Kenneth McKinlay 2nd - SoPac Red Henry Asa Alec Abrahamian Mason McQuet 3rd - Pacific Red Nathaniel Snyder Stefan Vavic Andrew Shashin Top Coach: Dave Svendsen, Central Anderson Todd Clayton Allen Ian Dretzka Top Referee: Marko Branisavljevic, Southest Luke Holtrop Joseph Griffin Clyde Huibregtse Matthew Stone Jaeger Gonzales Samuel Abbott Youth Roman Ushakov Mason Fritz Alex Rossman John MacDonald Jason Hiremath Dennis Blyashov 1st - Coastal Red Matthew Wastila Alika Naone Spencer Nelson 2nd - Pacific Red Jack Martin Kent Emden Duncan Creed 3rd - SoPac Red William Oliver Ariel Diddams Tyler Abramson Top Coach: AJ Abril, Central Torin Carss John Lewis Spencer Hanson Top Referees: Rick Ortiz, Costal/Ulrich Grude, Joshua Poulos Kyle Yelensky Wyatt Hanson Southeast Jackson Painter Graham Holtrop Jack Bignell Dashiell McFarland Stone Parker Andrew Goodenough Nick Johnson Award Recipients Mark Laurlund Christopher Sturtevant Dylan Woodhead Jagger Beeken Thomas Gruwell Michael Williams ZONE YOUTH CADET DEVELOPMENT Thomas O’Connor Sean Tehaney Bailey Jarvis CEN Matthew Blackwell Jon Zellhoefer Victor Plunkett Luke Vandenberghe Anthony Rethans Benjamin Miller CST RED Matthew Maier Alexandru Bucur Michael Minera Ethan Tran Giorgio Alessandria John Claude CST BLUE Dylan Elliott Jack Anderson Chase Raisin Berk Aksoy Jake Stone Jason Gould GLZ Duncan Kennedy Michael Gertsik Connor Long Jayden Kunwar Matthew Simko HAW Ethan Walter Noah Weldon Andrew Dawson Justin Wood Sam Untrecht Connor Turnbow- MDW Jake Burke Benjamin Russo Lian Malas Justin Whitaker Gabriel Discipulo Lindenstadt MTN Cooper Greene Christian Jones Ethan Kochel Brian Kent Beck Jurasius Hannes Daube NEZ Cameron Liflander Nicolas Apostolides Brennan Donnelly Gabriel Haddad Quinn Woodhead Ashworth Molthen PAC RED Brannan Haket Quinn Woodhead Dashiell McFarland Caden Capobianco Alexander Nemeth Jacob Cavano PAC BLUE Kevan Auger Peter Hillen Gil Gvishi James Kieckhafer Casey Estes Joshua Orrick PNW Zack Rossman Warren Bell Cole Sischo Thomas Kennedy Henry Saunders Quinten Osborne PSW Riad Hallal Thomas Gruwell Hayden Nightingale Logan McCarroll Nicolas Rodriguez Ryan Hurst SEZ Jason Gould Jackson Parell Brian Kent Tanner Pulice Jake Pearson Patrick Saunders SPA RED Evan Kim Maverick McMurtry Tanner Pulice Dylan Farrell Cal Meyer Ryan Sawyer SPA BLUE Ryan Sawyer Zachary Arthur Gavin Reed Garrett Ritter Kai Hanson Tamir Avital SWZ Galen Hu Robert Newman Jackson Benners Whittaker Worland Chad Gornay Zachary Lowery August Renezeder Garrett Zaan Dylan Patist Jackson Westerman

14 ReCaps

2016 ODP Girl’s Katherine Wrightsman Alexis Kieckhafer Development National June Akpata Kassandra Faris Team Selections Elaina Davey Layne Anzaldo Kendall Houck Shanna Davidson Rachel Craig Makena Waters Sasha Constandse Jordan Castillo 2016 Allyn-Ashley Bennett Kristin Weaver 2016 ODP Girl’s Kendall Thomas Emily Cantu Youth National Casey Coppock Kaitlyn Greenwald Team Selections ODP GIRL’S Rachel Ahumada Savannah Burns Caitlin Golding Brooklyn Behenna Alissa Salgado McKenna Martin Reagan Whitney Adrienne Grimes Kathleen Schafle NATIONAL Caroline Kelleher Cayleigh Carter Georgia Phillips Cassidy Miller 2016 ODP Girl’s Katrina Sturm Ella Prentice Cadet National Georgia Bogle CHAMPIONSHIP Mary Rhodes Team Selections Sabrina Garabet Sydney Chiang Hailey Williams Paige Hauschild Emily Suong Elisabeth Cruz Amanda Legaspi RESULTS Faith Tedesco Emily Blackwell Abrielle Hill Development Caroline Havens Abby Mammen Piper Smith Emily Geld Carolyne Stern Ryann Neushul 1st Place: SoPac Red Anaiah Lightner Grace Raisin Jewel Roemer 2nd Place: Coastal Red Kai Blankenship Rylee Williams Gillian Gatecliff 3rd Place: Northeast Madeleine Waasdorp Alexandra Garas Haley Crabtree Top Coach: Mary Collie, Pacific Amelia Phillips Genevieve Fraipont Cassidy Degraff Top Official: Nathan Ames, Mountain Sierra Smart Abigail Hendrix Meghan Beaudet Mikiala Ng Natalie Wilmans Madison O’Reilly Cadet Grace Wantuck Fiona Kuesis Alexandra Furano Madeline Schultz Michelle Zwaneveld Alana Ponce 1st Place: SoPac Red Ashleigh Larsen Isabella Barajas Hannah Shabb 2nd Place: Pacific Red Mekenna Scadden Alicia Stone Ciara Franke 3rd Place: Coastal Red Kaila Carroll Kaya Lee Mackenzie Davey Top Coach: Curt Ai, Hawaii Natalie English Laakea Dedrick Zoe Banks Top Official: Laura Zuluaga, Southeast Christiana Marchese Danielle Kauahi Roxanne Wheaton Aliza Smith Harper Daniels Sarah Klass Youth Maya Larson Hannah Peercy Grace Tehaney Maricarmen Rendon Alexandra Burke Jolie Trujillo 1st Place: Coastal Red Isabel Zimmerman Isabel Williams Ava Johnson 2nd Place: SoPac Red Sydney Spence Elizabeth Bradley Madeline Johnston 3rd Place: SoPac Blue Juliette Zamoyski Paige Furano Alexis Liebowitz Top Coach: Serela Kay, Coastal Margaux Pierquin Kayla Barone Rebecca Buck Top Official: Angela Uno, Southwest Alexandra Scafidi Anne Robinson Katherine Cassidy Sofia Anderson Kayla Yelensky Sophie Leggett Natalie Tiu Jamie Robinson Heidi Ritner Nick Johnson Award Recipients Ava Donleavy Madison Wayman Valerie Ayala Minhee Chung Ariana Bockstahler Denise Mammolito ZONE YOUTH CADET DEVELOPMENT Skyler Jones Dani Burnworth Jessica Lynch CEN McKenna Martin Emily Blackwell Sofia Righetti Jenna Flynn Reese Oliver Chloe Harbilas CST RED Piper Smith Isabella Barajas Mary Rhodes Fiona Young Carson Broad Madison Stamen CST BLUE Sophia Maguy Melinna Galbraith Anaiah Lightner Annelise Miller Drew Halvorson Grace Thawley GLZ Abigail Stepnitz Betsey Fisher Amelia Phillips Nina Munson Madison Davis Noelle Wijnbelt HAW Alyssa Pelanca Kaya Lee Mikiala Ng Mary Heffelfinger Elena Flynn Randi Reinhardt MDW Sarah Caywood Giovanna Donatelli Grace Raquel Brooke Westphal Skylar Savar Bayley Weber MTN Emma Brooks Jennifer Scott Megan Breetzke Caragh Osborne Nadia Paquin Jaleh Moaddeli NEZ Malia Naugle Anne Robinson Aliza Smith Arushi Madan Zoe Crouch Hannah Constandse PAC RED Tatum Turetzky Alison Berg Olivia Stark Mia Leto Lauren Indart Erin Tharp PAC BLUE Madison Higginson Emma Ford Sydney Gish Maya Avital Maya Srinivasan Cameron Cordial PNW Natalie Beck Jamie Robinson Kennedy East Paola Dominguez-Castro Elise Stein PSW Robyn Carter Reese Oliver Emily Ferguson Destiny Hernandez Ashley Luy Megan Falcon SEZ Rachel Andersen Grace Lacoursiere Taylor Vangrin Alyssa Barnuevo Christina Reyes SPA RED Bayley Weber Leslie Haynes Sydney Stein Isabela Gazzaniga Sophie Wallace Sarah Nichols SPA BLUE Megan Falcon Kassandra Faris Alissa Salgado Maryn Dempsey Ava Perkins Tea Poljak SWZ Gabrielle Gervasi Abigail May Sara Walsh Juliette Clark Brooke Banta Thea Walsh Sydney Stein Leslie Haynes CallieWoodruff Grace Myers Jamie Hutton Sydney Coachman Mia Adsen Christina Doherty usawaterpolo.org 15 ReCaps USA WATER POLO FIRST-EVER DARE TO DREAM 10U FESTIVAL SEES FUN TIMES HAD BY ALL FINAL STANDINGS 1 . Vanguard 2 . SOCAL 3 . Commerce 4 . Laguna Beach 5 . Back Bay 6 . Kahuna 7 . Bruin 8 . United 9 . Foothill 10 . Newport Beach

The future of water polo gathered for the first-ever Dare to Dream 10U 2. SOCAL Festival in early January at the William Woollett Aquatics Center in Irvine, CA. Fun was the focus of the three-day event, and a great time was had by all. From a Saturday evening social to the “Dream Wall” where athletes can share their hopes for the future, the event was an opportunity to do much more than water polo. Vanguard Water Polo (CA) came away champions of the event, but all the participants left with a winning feeling, excited for the 2017 edition. A strong run of success for the Vanguard youth water polo teams continued as they earned Gold on the heels of a first-place finish at the Rock-tober PCA 12 & Under Classic along with the Champions Cup boys’ division. SOCAL Water Polo earned second place with Com- merce finishing third.

photos courtesy Jared Gray and Mai Lam 1. VANGUARD 3. COMMERCE

16 ReCaps

The Greenwich Masters celebrate their first place finish at the USAWP College Alumni Tournament. NEW YORK ATHLETIC CLUB WOMEN & GREENWICH MEN WIN COLLEGE ALUMNI TOURNAMENT The USA Water Polo College Alumni Tournament, a new USAWP Signature Event took place this past February in Altamonte Springs, FL. College teammates got back together for a big weekend of fun that saw the New York Athletic Club women and Greenwich Masters men earn top honors. MEN’S STANDINGS 1 GREENWICH MASTERS 2 HARVARD 3 ST . FRANCIS 4 UNIVERISTY OF RICHMOND 5 FSU/UF 6 WAHINGTON & LEE 7 SLIPPERY ROCK MEN 8 TAMPA WOMEN’S STANDINGS 1 NEW YORK ATHLETIC CLUB 2 BUCKNELL 3 UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FL 4 SEP 5 SLIPPERY ROCK The women of the New York Athletic Club earned another championship, this time at the USAWP College Alumni Tournament.

usawaterpolo.org 17 ReCaps USA WATER POLO LONE STAR STATE WELCOMES TEXAS SIZED WEEK OF WATER POLO The USA Women’s National Team picked up another 5:23 with an assist from Kiley Neushul. Aria Fischer added a goal at 1:58 Gold medal, this time in Lewisville, Texas, as it topped for a 2-0 lead. Musselman closed out scoring in the first with a power play with 5 seconds left in the quarter for a 3-0 lead. Australia 6-5 to win the FINA Women’s Intercontinental got Australia on the board in the second quarter with a Tournament. With the sport growing at the high school penalty shot at 7:24 and added a power-play goal at 6:34 to cut the lead to and club levels, it was a fitting time for the world 3-2. Fattal netted her second of the game at 4:46 to push the lead to 4-2. scored her first for Australia at 1:40 to make it 4-3 USA champions of women’s water polo to pay a visit. going into halftime. The victory capped a 6-0 week for the United States where they clinched Musselman extended the lead to 5-3 with a power-play goal at 5:54. a berth to the FINA World League Super Final set for this June in China. Steffens hit the post on a penalty shot at 4:10 of the quarter, leaving the scored three goals, including the final tally for Team margin at just two goals. Ashleigh Southern took advantage for Australia, USA to pace the offense while Ashleigh Johnson recorded eight stops in scoring on a power play at 3:52 to narrow the U.S. lead to 5-4. net to earn the win. With the pressure mounting, Musselman delivered again to start the Maggie Steffens was named tournament MVP with Australia’s Kelsey quarter to give the U.S. squad a 6-4 lead with 4:58 remaining. Southern Wakefield earning top goalkeeping honors. Makenzie Fischer and then scored on a penalty shot for Australia with 3:51 to go to narrow the Australia’s Rowie Webster shared the high scoring award, each tallying deficit to 6-5. The Aussies would get no closer as Team USA was able to 13 goals. In other action it was China topping Canada 10-6 to claim third force a steal late in the match to secure the victory. place and Brazil edging Japan 9-8 for fifth place. After Brazil’s win, it became the final team to qualify for the FINA World Media Coverage: The weeklong event in Texas drew a host of League Super Final, joining the top-four finishers from Lewisville. This is media coverage, including daily live reports from the NBC affiliate an adjustment from a previous report that had stated only the top-three based in Dallas. In addition reporters from the FOX, ABC, and teams plus China would qualify. For complete tournament results, recaps, CBS Dallas affiliates covered the tourney, and the Dallas Morn- stats and more, click here. ing News covered the championship final. Clips of various media coverage were included in weekly episodes of “The Counter Attack For the second-straight match, the U.S. team got off to hot start against with Greg Mescall.” Watch replays at YouTube.com/USAWP. Australia as opened the scoring with the first U.S. goal at

photo by Tim Heitman

The USA Women’s National Team took their act to Texas for the FINA Women’s Intercontinental Tournament and took home gold.

18 California Connecticut Florida MaltaAD Ohio Oregon Pennsylvania Utah Washington DESPITE WINNING, CHALLENGES ARISE FOR KRIKORIAN Just three months on the job as head coach of the FINA World Champions, but all Adam Krikorian could

think about was quitting. By Greg Mescall @GregMescall

Before the glow could subside from the USA Women’s moment there—and it wasn’t even a moment—a time physically fit, the mentally tough teams are the ones that National Team Gold-medal finish in Rome in 2009, there in 2009 coming off a World Championship I had to have success - so it truly is all about overcoming Krikorian was at the computer explaining in an email to his be talked off the ledge. I had one foot, maybe one and a adversity.” wife Anicia why it was time to leave Team USA. Krikorian half feet out the door.” One of the problems—and it’s a problem every coach thought about returning to UCLA where he had been Now, this anecdote isn’t meant to rain on the parade would love to have—is that the team always seems to wildly successful as the coach of the men’s and women’s that has been USA Women’s Water Polo but more to come through in the hard moments. The USA Women water polo teams—the women had won five straight acknowledge something they search for—adversity. have turned the FINA World League Super Final into their NCAA titles. The 13 women who won Gold this past August in Kazan, own personal showcase, winning nine times in an event The end of 2015 capped another year of outright Russia, and all those associated with the program are very that’s barely a decade old. They went to Toronto for the dominance for Team USA. The squad completed the first familiar with a word used by Krikorian: FUNcomfortable. and weren’t pushed in a single ever “grand slam” in women’s water polo, holding Gold It means essentially they all have the same goals in mind, contest, including the Gold medal game where the squad medals in all the major championships concurrently— but they don’t get to have fun or get to where they want beat the host by nine goals. When times do get tough, including the Olympic Games, FINA World Championship, to be without things being a little uncomfortable from such as the FINA World Championships, they get breakout FINA World Cup, and FINA World League Super Final. time to time. performances like the MVP turn from Rachel Fattal or the The team is a solid mix of established veterans and The head coach found his adversity almost immediately dominant shot-swatting display in the Gold medal match the very best in rising American talent. For all the with Team USA, but after seven years on the job packed from keeper Ashleigh Johnson. accomplishments, the USA Women are the obvious choice with every championship imaginable he continues to Team USA maintains tremendous respect for the rest as FINA’s top women’s water polo program in 2015. The sharpen his team’s resolve for the hard moments. of the water polo world, and after being hammered forecast for 2016 couldn’t be sunnier, with a berth to the Helping ready the team for the tough times are the by Australia in two matches at a test event in Brazil in upcoming Olympic Games in Rio secured (see page 12). November, they are well aware another humbling defeat But it wasn’t always such smooth sailing. veterans of the squad including team captain and 2012 Olympic Games star Maggie Steffens. could be lurking right around the corner. Krikorian points It turns out that winning does not cure all ills. On the to the God-given talent on the team he’s assembled— heels of a Silver medal at the 2008 Olympic games in “We are constantly striving to push ourselves past our but the need for adversity, even the manufactured kind, is Beijing, a lot had changed for the United States squad. physical and mental limits to improve our game and in understood. Krikorian replaced the longtime head coach—who just so turn, win games,” said Steffens via email. “In order to maintain that competitive spirit, we train extremely hard “They are a gifted group. We have older players who happened to be a colleague and his college coach—Guy show the potential to be phenomenal leaders,” Krikorian Baker. A couple of players from that 2008 team retired, but and try to recreate game like experiences and pressure in our practices. It is easy and FUN to do this when you are says about his World Champions. “They are pretty self- the majority returned—and not all were in favor of the disciplined and pretty driven and competitive people. It’s new head coach. competing every day amongst many of the best players in a variety of ways, my teammates.” more a product of their environment at home and their “Despite the success, the road to get there was a bumpy upbringing. They’ve all been blessed with good coaches, one,” recalled Krikorian. “I think there were a lot of people The FINA Women’s Water Polo Player of the Year twice and their parents have done a good job keeping them who weren’t happy to have me on board as coach. The in the last four years added, “water polo is one of the competitive and always wanting more.” team was dysfunctional to say the least, and there was a toughest sports out there, and although you need to be

20 DESPITE WINNING, CHALLENGES ARISE FOR KRIKORIAN

An important voice for Team USA is Steffens, someone not how I envision the team playing at its best—that’s Krikorian and Team USA are a long way from those times who Krikorian says has been a leader on the team since what’s frustrating for me. I think we can play much better; in 2009. From all of the squad’s rocky starts, it ended up her first year at age 16. we can be united more than we were in Kazan. This three years later in London with 13 women putting their “In terms of having a new group, the biggest challenge team could have played with a lot more confidence and Olympic Gold medals around his neck. any team has, wherever you are from or whichever sport togetherness in Kazan.” This is all started because he craved a challenge; he hasn’t you play, is discovering your identity as a team,” said Just another example of Krikorian’s mind and philosophy stopped enjoying this opportunity and the chance to Steffens via email. “This challenge is also the most fun at work. While the rest of the world views the United build the best water polo team in the world year after and rewarding. We have a lot of talented, energetic, and States as the best and a sure favorite next summer at the year. “Many dream to win a gold medal but truthfully, I driven youth that has been a vital addition to our team. Olympics in Rio, their head coach is the perfectionist cook spend most of my time dreaming about what our team is Each practice and especially each game, we have grown in the kitchen sampling the sauce again and again, making going to look like at the end of this journey. The traits and and gained the experience necessary to play at this level. sure it’s really worthy of serving. characteristics that define our team and help to determine We also have experienced players who bring leadership The USA Women capped the year with another title, the how we play, how we carry ourselves, how we treat each and power to our team as a whole. In order to get to the . Not as celebrated as their other titles on other... that moment at the top of the podium, is just that, Olympic podium, we must be able to continue to grow as the year, but with a 5-1 record at the event that featured a moment,” said Krikorian. a team and strengthen our identity as this new unit. This some likely Rio contenders such as Spain, Italy and the He continued, “The deeper stuff, the feelings you have feeling of achieved team connection and flow is when this Netherlands, it was another strong U.S. showing. being a part of a united team and the lessons learned challenge becomes the most fun part of the game.” And while fans will point to another title and an overall are the things that stay with you forever. I still love All that said, it’s been an exhausting year for Krikorian 2015 record of 41 wins and just six losses, Krikorian will chasing THAT dream with this team. I know our entire and the coaching staff completed by Olympians Chris point to a demoralizing loss to the Netherlands that wasn’t team realizes that the path is never smooth and straight, Oeding and Dan Klatt. This quadrennial’s team doesn’t as close as the 9-8 score would indicate. But it’s all part of but nevertheless, we are excited about what 2016 holds have the luxury of years of Olympic experience with just the plan—getting the women ready for the even bigger in store and more importantly about our continual four returners from 2012, and with some athletes still moments down the road at the Olympic qualifier and development as a team.” navigating high school, it’s been an intensive process to hopefully Olympic Games where no doubt adversity will He’s had to be a little tougher this time around, a little bit get the group completely invested in every hour of come knocking. harder, but it’s all because he believes it’s what this team every day. Oh, and that desperate email Krikorian sent to his wife in needs to be ready to defend their Olympic Gold. “This past summer was a good for us overall. In terms of 2009? He got a reply—and it was a big dose of digital Krikorian’s fond of quoting New Jersey rock legend Bruce our development, we got a lot better—but with such a tough love from Anicia, a former collegiate tennis player. Springsteen, especially regarding the idea of staying level- young group it was exhausting for me. At the end of the She reasoned her husband had taken this job, committed headed, not getting too high with the highs or too low World Championship, sometimes you have pure joy and to this program, and was going to see it through. Not to with the lows. But then again, he’s the coach—he can’t exhilaration, but I didn’t have that—I was just glad it was mention this was the new challenge he’d been craving, it be in the water. He has to contribute with his words. over. I attribute a lot of that to the fact that these players wasn’t something to give up after three months. need me to be on top of them every step of the way. As the Boss would say: That’s my responsibility, and I’m going to do whatever “She wrote me an email, a very long, honest and brutal “Talk about a dream, try to make it real.” it takes to put us in the best position possible. But that’s email that basically told me, ‘Suck it up. You were hired to do this job and you are going to do it,’” Krikorian recalled. This article originally appeared in FINA World Aquatics Magazine.

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CALENDAR 2016 OF EVENTS

Masters Nationals Championship Irvine, CA 6/10-6/12 Great Lakes Classic East Lansing, MI 7/15-7/17 National League US Open Championship Of Water Polo Northern California 4/30-5/1 Irvine, CA 7/15-7/17 National Team Junior Doubleheader Olympics LIVE On NBCSN San Jose, CA & surrounding Los Angeles, CA (USC) 5/22 area 7/23-7/31 Golden State Invite Champions Cup Stockton, CA 6/8-6/10 Honolulu, HI 11/11-11/13

Visit USAWaterPolo.org for complete schedule information 7:00AM

Gillian Gatecliff, Center – Great Lakes Zone Youth Team 10:30PM 12:00PM ODP National Championships March 12, 2016 — Riverside, CA

6:15PM

11:00AM

7:00PM

3:00PM

7:00am: Our first game was at 9 a.m. Saturday. We met at 7 a.m. for breakfast downstairs in the hotel and headed to the pool around 7:30 a.m. 3:00pm: After losing our 2 p.m. game we got to relax by the pool and watch other zones play before our third game, 10:30am: After playing our first game we had a team which we played at 5 p.m. meeting during which we discussed what we needed to im- prove for the next game. We then went to Trader Joe’s to get 6:15pm: We packed into the van to head to Panera Bread some snacks because teams don’t usually have time between following our third and final game of the day. Some girls games to get food. choose to go out to eat with their parents but most stayed with the team all weekend. My parents chose to not come out 11:00am: Great Lakes Zone enjoyed some fresh lunch and with me this year, which was not a problem, as coaches can snacks outside Trader Joe’s. It’s important to stay hydrated provide rides to and from the airport and the entire zone rides over the weekend, especially for a team that wasn’t used to in 15-passenger vans all weekend. playing in the sun! 7:00pm: After eating dinner we headed back to the hotel. 12:00pm: After lunch we got to watch some games at I roomed with two girls from my zone, and we were asleep by Santiago High School while we were waiting to warm up for 8:30 p.m.—the jet lag along with playing three games in one our second game of the day, which we played at 1 p.m. day had us exhausted.

26

The Water

As their day at the Media Summit came Polo Scene to a close there was still time for Steffens and Johnson to pose for a picture with Maggie Steffens (left) “Will & Grace” star and Ashleigh Johnson Eric McCormack. pose together for Sports Illustrated at the Olympic Media Summit held in Los Angeles at the famed Beverly Hilton in early March.

Blake Kunzi, a water polo player from Hudsonville, Michigan was diagnosed with leukemia late in 2015. You can support CBS television show “The Doctors” visited a Men’s Senior National Team Blake and the Kunzi practice recently to film an upcoming episode. Dr. Andrew Ordon was on Medical Fund by visit- hand to get in the water with the guys and talk healthy living and eating ing GoFundMe.com. including meals packed with pistachios.

While his wife Tanith Belbin-White learned water polo from John Mann and at a recent Team USA video shoot, Olympic ice dancing champion Charlie White showed off some of his water polo ball skills on the pool deck.

Team USA’s John Mann (left) and Tony Azevedo (2nd from right) met actors Matt Bomer (2nd from left) and Jesse Metcalfe (right) at the Olympic Media Summit in Los Angeles in March.

Photos Courtesy: USAWP, Blake Kunzi usawaterpolo.org 27 FROM THE DECK USA WATER POLO

By Dr. Naresh Rao, DO, FAOASM Head MINDFULNESS Team Physician, Men’s USA Water Polo One of the most effective tools a sports psychologist According to Dr. Richard Carmona, will teach is the practice of mindfulness: clearing our author of Canyon Ranch: 30 Days to thoughts of everything except the present moment. a Better Brain, the signature trait of Mindfulness is an important skill to add to your arsenal so that you can con- mindfulness training is to increase your centrate on the present—your behavior on the field—instead of ruminating capacity to observe everything within about the past. and around you. By doing so, it keeps you from being mindlessly swept away Mindfulness practice involves learning how to simply and nonjudgmentally by emotions, worries, or preoccupations. observe your own breath, body, or thoughts. By focusing on the here and now, It also helps to keep you from snapping mindfulness can train you to stay on task and avoid distraction. A mindfulness to conclusions or judgments. A mindful- practice can change the structure of the brain so that you can pay attention ness practice also allows you to notice better, improve memory, decrease stress, and increase overall happiness. the judgments or psychological barriers Peter Malinowski, a psychologist and neuroscientist at Liverpool John Moores you habitually make, and by recognizing them you can begin to free yourself University in England, had this to say in a recent New York Times article: from those judgments. Carmona says, “If you tend to be hard on yourself, “For some people who begin mindfulness training, it’s the first time in their mindfulness is a wonderful way of learning to be kinder to yourself. If you tend life where they realize that a thought or emotion is not their only reality, that to be overly critical of other people, mindfulness can also help you to notice they have the ability to stay focused on something else, for instance their those judgments and develop a better attitude of kindheartedness.” breathing, and let that emotion or thought just pass by.” A formal practice consists of structured experiences like meditation. Sport psychologist Michael Gervais has trained elite athletes, including the Psychologist Amishi Jha, director of the University of Miami’s Contempla- Seattle Seahawks and USA Beach Volleyball’s triple Gold medalists Kerri tive Neuroscience, Mindfulness Research and Practice Initiative, trains U.S. Walsh-Jennings and Misty May-Treanor. He uses mindfulness to cultivate Marines to use mindfulness to achieve greater mental resilience. In the same confidence in what he describes as “full presence and conviction in the mo- New York Times article, Jha was quoted as saying: “We found that getting ment.” When athletes can perform with confidence, they are more resilient as little as twelve minutes of meditation practice a day helped Marines keep when faced with setbacks and can perform with an open mindset that allows their attention and working memory—that is, the added ability to pay attention them to see many more options available during each play. (Continue on next page)

REFerendum WITH JIM CULLINGHAM Greetings All, Untied States. You can find them on the Rules include but are not limited to Misconduct and Ethics link along with all the playing (exclusion with substitution), brutality fouls, As we gear up across rules, appendixes, and interpretations. (The and red cards to coaches or players not in the the country for what 12/U Modified Rules are titled Appendix E.) field of play or not eligible to play. You are will surely be a busy also required to file a report for witnessed, spring and summer of water polo, I would like Also please pay particular attention to the new suspected, or alleged injury to any player or to take the time in this issue to touch on a few and revised information on the Certification participant that may not have resulted in a items that I’m sure you’ll all find of interest and Training link, including how to access foul being called—in addition to any extra and importance. our BRAND NEW online Basic Certification circumstances that affect the game (i.e. specta Tutorial! - First, please know that we’ve made what I tor behavior, medical attention required, and believe to be some great strides across the We invite all of you—referees, coaches, all unprofessional behavior on the part of your country in regard to referee training, athletes, and fans—to take advantage of the colleagues or game participants). certification, and evaluation. amount of information now available to you, especially if you or someone you know is You can find more detail and specific We’ve updated and revised all the information interested in getting started as a USA Water information regarding Incident Reports and available to our members— everything from Polo referee. Roster Verification on the Accountability and how to get started as a referee to the certifica- Reporting link in the Referee Section on the tion process and criteria, evaluation and Additionally, I want to remind all of you to usawaterpolo.org website. training opportunities, and much, much continue to make sure that there are verified In closing, I want to thank you all for your more. Everything you need to know can be rosters of participants presented for each and dedication to and passion for our sport, and as accessed in the Referee section under the every USA Water Polo Sanctioned Event and always, if you have any questions or concerns Members Tab at www.usawaterpolo.org. that those rosters are validated by photo ID. about refereeing, rule interpretation, or the Please make sure to review and familiarize I would also like to remind you of your game in general, please contact us at yourself with the recently clarified applica- responsibility to report all incidents during [email protected]. tions and interpretations to the Modified or associated with an event via the electronic Jim Cullingham Rules for 12/Under Competitions in the reporting form. Incidents to be reported

28 FROM THE DECK over time—stable. If they practiced less than twelve minutes or not at all, they notice them. Notice what is happening with curiosity and interest. degraded in their functioning.” Take a breath. As you breathe, relax. Not much to do except to be fully present The following exercise was provided by the UCLA Mindful Awareness and aware. Now let go of your body’s sensations and turn your attention to the Research Center. Their website (http://marc.ucla.edu/body) offers a set of sounds inside or outside the room. There may be all sorts of sounds happen- free guided mindfulness meditations. Have someone read you the following ing: loud sounds, quiet sounds. You can also notice the silence between the meditation with your eyes closed—or you can record the meditation and play sounds. That the sounds are coming and going. Notice them coming and going. it back to yourself. One tendency of the mind is to think about the sound, to start to make up a Close your eyes. Begin this meditation by noticing your posture. You may story about the sound, and then have a reaction to it: “I like it, I don’t like it.” be standing or sitting or lying down. Notice your body, exactly as it is, and See if instead you can simply listen to the sound. Notice it with curiosity and see if you can tune into any sensations that are present to you in your body interest. The sounds are coming and going in this moment. There might be heaviness, or lightness, pressure, weight. Adapted from Dr. Naresh Rao’s book, Step Up Your Game, published in January via Sports Publishing. There might be vibration, pulsating, movement, warmth, or coolness. Available wherever books are sold, order now at Amazon.com, http://www.amazon.com/Step-Your-Game-Revolutionary-Performance/dp/1613218303. These sensations can be anywhere in your body, and all you have to do is

SHOOTING FOR COLLEGE BY ANGELA KRAUS IMPORTANT SAT UPDATES* It’s official—the redesigned SAT has arrived, posed to relate better to what students actually than ever for aspiring student-athletes to and the first brave souls sat through its first learn in high school and will study in college— communicate effectively with coaches as early administration earlier this month. Information including “real” instead of “SAT” vocabulary as possible to learn about each school’s testing about how the new SAT will be evaluated in and no penalty for wrong answers. requirements and plan accordingly. the course of the athletic recruiting process is starting to become available as well. Theoretically, the essay is optional, but check the Often students take the SAT or ACT more than requirements of each school you’re considering once. The ability to present a complete academic For the aspiring collegiate water polo player, (e.g., elite private institutions and University packet (transcripts through the end of junior changes in how these tests are considered of California schools will continue requiring year, all standardized test scores) will continue underscore the importance of when the essays). Under the new format, the base score to impact recruiting opportunities. The earlier standardized test portfolio (SAT, ACT, and/ range is 400-1600 (instead of 1200-2400). For coaches receive student-athletes’ academic in- or SAT subject tests) must be completed. The more information, visit https://collegereadiness. formation, the sooner they can determine if the importance of developing an effective test collegeboard.org/sat/test-design and http:// student-athletes meets their schools’ academic preparation and testing timeline for the SAT or www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/five- profile and if the recruiting process can prog- ACT—along with the SAT subject tests— can- things-you-should-know-about-new-sat. ress. To be competitive, aspiring collegiate water not be overstated when it comes to maximizing polo players should strive to provide complete recruiting opportunities The redesigned SAT has given rise to an portfolios to coaches as soon as possible after important change in how admissions offices finishing their junior years. During the 2017 application cycle, most review scores on the new SAT. Coaches at elite colleges will accept test scores for the old and schools are reporting that their admissions To maximize potential recruiting opportunities new version of the SAT. This means current offices have advised that a practice known as (especially during this transitional period), it’s juniors (class of 2017) who completed their “super scoring” will no longer be permitted critical for aspiring collegiate water polo players testing before March 2016 and are satisfied when evaluating SAT scores. Rather, as with the to understand exactly what’s required and when with their results can submit their scores on ACT, they will consider the cumulative score and then develop a standardized testing strat- the former version of the SAT. Current juniors from a single sitting. Aspiring student-athletes egy. Additional changes in admissions policies, who retook the SAT during March 2016—or will continue to be able to select and report their practices, and procedures can be expected as who will retake it later—can select and submit highest cumulative or composite scores on the more is learned about the redesigned SAT. Stay their highest score on either format. But current SAT, ACT, or both. Similarly, even though some tuned for more information about how it will juniors who took the SAT for the first time schools are shifting from requiring subject tests impact the athletic recruiting process. during March 2016—or who will take it for the to recommending them, coaches are advising first time later—may submit scores only for the aspiring student-athletes to take the subject tests * Please also refer to my previous articles on this redesigned test. Starting in the 2018 applica- in order to maximize their academic profiles. topic that appeared in the Fall 2013 (http://www. tion cycle, the redesigned SAT will be the only usawaterpolo.org/genrel/102213aaa.html) and option available. Most colleges still require applicants to take Summer 2015 issues of SkipShot Magazine. some combination of the SAT, ACT, and/or SAT The main difference between the former and subject tests. So especially as schools are adapt- new SAT format is that the questions are sup- ing to the redesigned SAT, it’s more important

QUESTIONS? Write to Angela Kraus at [email protected]. Angela Kraus is an experienced and certified college counselor providing comprehensive college counseling services to help students prepare for and ensure eligibility for graduation from high school and admission to colleges. A special focus of her practice is advising high school athletes as they pursue the athletic recruiting process, with emphasis on water polo players.

usawaterpolo.org 29 FROM THE DECK USA WATER POLO

Injury Prevention: It Starts in the Off-season Much of injury prevention for athletes lies in the quality of their athletic development and progression during the off-season. Allowing adequate recovery from the previous season and finding a holistic balance between all facets of the off-season program will decrease the risk of in-season injury. For water polo players, a few common areas of the body are exceptionally prone to injury. Chief among these are the shoulders, lower back, knees, and groin. Given the and core muscles. In this case, the knee must now absorb the force that should complexity of the sport—swimming, wrestling, and throwing—seasonal planning needs be distributed between the pelvic region and posterior chain. Moreover, the glute to take these aspects into account in order to decrease the risk of injury and develop muscles usually aid the knee in maintaining correct joint angles. Therefore a lack of a well-prepared body with the ability to absorb the rigors of the game. glute strength may allow the knees to cave inward, increasing the risk of a knee injury. Stability vs. Mobility With a greater understanding of the biomechanics involved in these high-risk areas, Several factors place water polo players at risk of injury, many of which occur outside here are a few simple exercises you can add to your training regimen to boost injury of training (e.g., sleep, nutrition, stress, etc.). prevention. But a central theme of injury risk and prevention is the balance between joint stability 1. Shoulder and joint mobility. While water polo players need a certain degree of both, these traits The following exercises will develop greater stability around the shoulder and scapula tend to oppose each other. Meaning, a more stable joint tends to have limited mobility, by challenging your coordination and strength through more complicated plank varia- while a very mobile joint has reduced stability. tions. Let’s take a look at the shoulder joint as an example. Water polo requires a high range • Front Bridge Rockers of motion about the shoulder joint for the multiple aspects of the sport. The swimming • Front Bridge Up Downs portion of water polo requires a full shoulder cycle with every stroke; the throwing motion demands equally high mobility in the shoulder; wrestling requires a combina- • Side Bridge – Leg Raises tion of stability and strength. Water polo players are prone to develop benign micro 2. Lower Back tears in the joint tissue to accommodate a greater range of motion, thus sacrificing a The injury prevention goals for the lower back are twofold: 1) to strengthen the lower bit of stability for a bit more mobility. Up to a point, this added mobility is beneficial, back muscles in order to accommodate greater load, and 2) to strengthen the anterior but joints with less stability are more prone to injury via larger tears or dislocations. core muscles to increase stability and support the lower back during movement. The- So it’s critical for water polo players to develop symmetry in the muscle groups sur- ses exercises are great places to start: rounding these mobile joints to support them during movement. • DB Deadlift Muscle Imbalances & Excessive Load Bearing Correct progression and technique in strength training is your number-one defense • Plate Reverse Lunge -2- Chest Press against injury. This is especially important for young, developing athletes. They need • Banded Back Bridge – March to progress on pathways relative to their individual needs, experiences, and training 3. Knees ages. When fatigue sets in, technique can fall apart. Muscles that weren’t intended to In order to support the knee joint, athletes must develop glute strength and abductor/ bear any load may be improperly recruited to help complete the movement. adductor strength and range of motion. The knees will also benefit from general pelvic Let’s analyze this through the lower back. During a set of squats, a correct movement stability. Try these exercises to improve stability around the knee: would utilize the core, hamstrings, quadriceps, and glute muscles, among others, to • TRX Balance Lunge complete a repetition. If any of these muscle groups are weak or do not activate, or if the athlete has poor technique, other muscles must be used to support the move- • Monster Walks - Level 1 ment. In lower-body exercises, the lower back region often plays this role. Athletes • Lateral Squat with exceptionally tight lower backs, or those who have pain in this region, should speak with their athletic trainers or coaches to determine which area they need to All water polo players may benefit from greater awareness of their biomechanics in improve upon. This also reflects the need for assessments before starting a new train- the different facets of the game and the steps they can take to minimize injury in each ing phase, as these tests help reveal an athlete’s strengths and weaknesses during of these areas. Take your strength training and injury prevention to the next level with functional movement patterns. these simple tips!. Equally important is the risk of injury due to muscle imbalances. Part of the reason About Bridge: BridgeAthletic is dedicated to bringing elite level, personalized strength training to every athlete. As athletes and coaches, we know the difference that access to great coaching can make. Now BridgeAthletic is bringing that competitive advantage to everyone, why one muscle group may bear excessive load is because another muscle group may everywhere. Launched in 2013, San Francisco-based BridgeAthletic builds water polo-specific, personalized workout programs delivered be too weak or inactive to complete the movement properly. via a smart phone or tablet to competitive athletes and the coaches who train them. Let’s take a look at the knee joint as an example. During flexion/extension of the knee Sport-Specific BridgeAthletic Strength Programs for individual athletes include Swimming, Triathlon, Running, Cycling, Water Polo, joint—as in squats, jumps, and lunges—muscles in the legs, pelvic region, and core Lacrosse, Soccer, Football, Baseball, Volleyball, Basketball, and others. BridgeAthletic was co-founded by Michael Sharf, a UC Berkeley should be engaged. Many athletes, however, do not properly activate their glutes D1 water polo player and Nick Folker, Olympian and former UC Berkeley strength and conditioning coach.

30 RED EYES WRINKLED FINGERS AND THE TASTE OF CHLORINE-SOAKED VICTORY

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LOB SHOTS

Remembering Olympian Ron Crawford By Frank Connor About a month ago I saw that Ron Crawford would be ludicrous. He was instrumental in but huge in quickness, game savvy, and heart. died, and although I probably hadn’t seen him helping the U.S. win its first Pan American I understand he went on to a very successful for 20 years, I was surprised how it affected Championship and went on to play in four career coaching at Beverly Hills High. (I was me. Ron was one of the four best polo players Olympic games. He also was the first player not in touch with him during those years, but I have seen, and he was also a really nice guy from the U.S. in many years to be selected to I heard about this from a player who went up and very humble about his water polo ability. the International Hall of Fame. Ron always against Ron’s teams). Ron was a credit to water I played against him a few times and also with was moving to the right place without the ball, polo and a credit to America. him as a teammate in the 1959 Pan American and when he got it and was in a position to Ron Crawford, a fine man, an extraordinary Games when he was only 19 years old. He had shoot, his shots were deadly. He made everyone water polo player. been selected to play with the winning team of around him better, One tended to think of the trials (Illinois Athletic Club) even though him as an offensive player, but his defensive Full disclosure: Ron said some very nice things the coach of his team was pushing for someone skills were also extraordinary (and I say that about my play when introducing me at my else. To say that he wasn’t a proper selection as a goaltender). He was not large in stature, Hall of Fame induction, but that isn’t why I wrote this.

Congratulations to the Winter 2016 High School Girl’s Water Polo Champions in Southern California! 2016 CIF-LA CITY SECTION GIRL’S 2016 CIF-SOUTHERN SECTION GIRL’S 2016 CIF-SAN DIEGO SECTION GIRL’S WATER POLO CHAMPION WATER POLO CHAMPIONS WATER POLO CHAMPIONS Birmingham 8 Eagle Rock 6 Division 1 - Orange Lutheran 6 Foothill 3 Open - Bishops 5 La Jolla 4 Division 2 - Murrieta Valley 10 El Toro 8 (OT) Division 1 - Vista 7 Fallbrook 4 Division 3 - ML King 7 Arroyo Grande 1 Division 2 - Mar Vista 8 Scripps-Ranch 6 Division 4 - Royal 15 Riverside Poly 9 Division 3 - Hilltop 7 Serra 6 Division 5 - Palm Desert 13 Temple City 4 Division 6 - Santa Monica 8 Westridge 6 Division 7 - Hillcrest 8 Foothill Tech 7

usawaterpolo.org 33 34 USA WATER POLO LOB SHOTS of Bresnahan, easily one of the most colorful colorful most one of the easily of Bresnahan, stewardship the under envied be to a reputation built titles—has NCAA nine captured has that 1men’s program Division lacrosse school’s the by overshadowed polo—albeit water Hopkins sport. for the ground nation’s breeding best the are schools high independent and of public network whose California, from players best the recruiting competition: anew in locked now are decades, two for more polo than water in other each against competing have been that rivals academic Hopkins, and Princeton Rush Gold A West Coast program.” for the step big a was game CWPA championship the making and Brown against 2015). “Winning 2008, (2005, time Year third of for the the Coach National III Division named was December last who Bresnahan, said the players,” and staff abit—I’m coaching stings proud of the loss the and—although NCAAs, making away from we were agoal that think to “It amazing is season. same the in titles varsity the and DIII the both win to team Eastern first the of shot becoming penalty five-meter missed a within came and finals, Eastern the to advance to team III Division first the became 7-6 match, competitive highly a losing despite Hopkins, Princeton, rival Division CWPA Southern and second-seed polo. Facing water Eastern in dynamic shifting of a asign and at Hopkins achieved he has success continued the to atestament both was champion, defending and team top East’s the over Brown, win the at Hopkins, coaching of year 25th his in old coach 58-year For the Princeton?’” beat Igonna ‘How am thought: Ialso “but Bresnahan, alaughing cracked print,” you can’t my mind went through “What expectations. of weight felt the also history—but Easterns in upsets bigger moment of one of the the in took Ted coach Blue Jays Bresnahan levels. highest sport’s at the compete to Baltimore in located university, the allowed has that effort recruiting innovative an pay-off abig for it signaled (CWPA) Men’sAssociation Championships, 2015Water Polo the Collegiate of semifinals the in team polo water Hopkins Johns his for 8-7 win an preserving by Brown, attempt last-gasp bat to a away cage his across flying came Wilson John sophomore goalie When powerhouse. academic Coast programwater polo at East Ted built an elite men’s has Bresnahan Randazzo By Michael Water Championship Johns Hopkins Polo: 25 Years Making the in position academically, Hopkins seemed like like seemed Hopkins academically, position best the in put to myself foremost, and “First choice. first their Hopkins made that program polo water its around culture supportive exceptionally an and academics of superb acombination it was Cico, Giorgio Yee freshman and Kevin co-captain senior Wilson, as such players For California-born said. Bresnahan conversation,” the continuing in there’s no sense work with, we can circle the not within they’re If scores?’ board your are GPA? your What’s What grades? your ‘How are is, recruits] ask [prospective I thing first “The Hopkins. at eligibility athletics determines that academics it’s essential, is pool the in skill while And 1998 since times nine and seasons eight last of the seven award TeamACWPC Academic the captured haveBlue The Jays Polo Coaches. Water of Collegiate Association by the cited is regularly excellence academic squad’s The (2008). Kratz Josh and (2005-07); McCreey (2004); Sean Mead Brian the of Players III Year: Division straight five Blue produced The Jays Decade.” of“Team the Men’s Varsity III Division the named 12—was last of the nine and Championships Eastern III of 16 Division squad—winners polo water 2010, In Hopkins’ classroom. the and pool the both in handsomely off paid efforts The program.” this enhance would that player polo of water type the with combined yet successful, was who of student for, type the were looking we of applicant type on the together closely Iworked “Ted Birney, and Says [Bresnahan] he said. prominent,” become to program polo water for our doors the opened what “That’s agrees. Bresnahan schools.” independent West from Coast players polo water strong significantly by recruiting scene polo water on the mark put our “We really Admissions, for Hopkins Relations Constituent of Director Associate Senior was 2013 to 2000 from who College, at Wafford of Admissions Director now Birney, the John to According athletes. student West Coast recruit to effort aconcerted undertook Athletics Hopkins 2000, in Beginning country’s finest universities. one of the considered of Hopkins, excellence academic the by selling programs strongest East’s one of the created has native Massachusetts The sport. his in coaches likable and competitor in the East for more than two decades. two than more for East the in competitor aconsistent into Hopkins Johns built has Ted Bresnahan particular school who does well and makes an an makes and well does who school particular a from student one good you receive when is recruitment admissions in find typically you “What recruiting. consistent to key is schools select in a foothold having that verified recruitment, for athletic Athletics Hopkins with liaison admissions the was who Birney, easy.” very Hopkins on deciding made with—that comfortable Ifelt very me that around people Ihad I knew away right where aplace to Froomer. “Coming Langdon senior and Yee, Wilson with along honors All-American Year,of the earned Rookie Division CWPA Southern named being to addition in who, Cico, continued close,” super- is team polo the you: tell will “Everyone a pull.” big was That fantastic. are just academics “The at Hopkins, also is brother whose Cico, Giorgio to According here.” culture team the was top me over the set really “What ACWPC. the by All-American an named being while goals 42 scored season Yee, this said who for itself,” speaks prestige academic Hopkins’ “Obviously friends.” good very and school about focused is pool…everyone of the “Outside senior. school Year ahigh Polo Player of as the Boy’s Water Journal Daily Mateo San and All-American an named Wilson, continued of guys,” group that about enough highly speak Ican’t Hopkins. to coming about loved I’ve thing one the number been has team “The Cal. Hillsborough, in School of Menlo graduate for the consideration acrucial was polo water were paramount, academics While Clara. UC Santa and Davis UC as well programs—as polo water best two country’s and USC—the from UCLA offers had also who Wilson, fit,”said obvious the Continued on next page Continued on next photo courtesy JohnsHopkinsphoto Athletics courtesy

LOB SHOTS

Johns Hopkins - Continued impact on a program, other students tend to “When we’ve played in their pool, they had a very strong academic program for very serious follow,” he said. great crowd and it’s been one of those games— students.” whether I was a player or a coach—that’s always Hopkins’ most consistent rival in the CWPA’s Perhaps tellingly, current Hopkins players Cico, a battle,” Nicolao added. Southern Division is Princeton. In addition to Wilson and Yee did not mention Princeton beating the Blue Jays for the Eastern title and Princeton, which like Hopkins does not offer when discussing their school choices. It would with it a berth in the NCAA Men’s Water Polo athletic scholarships even though their water seem that Hopkins has joined the Tigers and Tournament, the Tigers claimed three other polo program is Division I, is recruiting the other Ivy powers Brown and Harvard as highly 2015 meetings against Hopkins and overall same players due to the excellence of their desirable destinations in the East for California sport a 48-5 edge in contests between the two academics. players looking for good polo and great academics. schools. “I would say we’re almost identical,” said But thanks to Bresnahan’s exceptional Nicolao, who has been coaching men’s and “I ended up choosing Hopkins because I really leadership and Hopkins’ rise in prominence as women’s water polo at Princeton for the past 18 liked the feel I got from the team when I was one of the country’s most desirable institutions years. “We’re recruiting the same kids. A lot of visiting, and it seemed like a great opportunity of higher learning, the water polo gap between our kids look at the same group of schools.” to branch out and get some new experiences that I don’t think I would have gotten if I the Blue Jays and the Tigers may finally begin But according to Peter Latson, Assistant had stayed in California,” Wilson said. “I’m to narrow. Princeton head coach Luis Nicolao, Director, Upper School and Co-director, thankful that I did.” who competed against Bresnahan-coached College Counseling at Hackley School, one teams while starring at the Naval Academy in of the top prep schools in the New York What Bresnahan knows is that the combination the early 90s, was effusive in his praise for his metropolitan region, Hopkins as a choice for of playing water polo and being challenged in coaching colleague. academics has become increasingly popular the the classroom was enough to sell Cico, one of “What makes Ted so special is he… never takes past ten years. the East’s bright young stars after a sensational rookie season. [the game] too seriously,” Nicolao said. “He “Johns Hopkins has always attracted strong doesn’t take anything personally and is always students, but it has become especially selective ”I told him: ‘Academically, you can’t beat us,’ willing to sit and talk with you.” over the past decade,” Latson said. “While and we have such a tight team he fell in love Bresnahan’s placid demeanor masks a fierce the university may attract students for with the guys.” Bresnahan said. competitive streak, which he’s transferred to various academic, extracurricular and social Clearly, that was enough. his program. opportunities, the one common theme is its

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usawaterpolo.org 35 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 magazine 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 Solan Kedzie >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Honorable mention to the remaining photo submissions. Counter clockwise from below left: John Blake Bottom left: Aaron Ayala Bottom center: Matthew Wraa Bottom right: Michelle Braddock Top right: Victor Nemechek

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