Russ Hafferkamp Lynn Wittstock Age: 54 Age: 46 A Master At Any Age Sandy Nitta Age: 60 VOLUME 24, NUMBER 2, SUMMER 2009 Linda Buchanan Age: 52 World Championships Preview Inside What’s Inside... VOL. 24, NUM. 2, Summer 2009 USA WATER POLO NATIOnaL OFFICE ON THE COVER... 2124 Main Street, Suite 240 Huntington Beach, CA 92648 In clockwise order Inside Water. 2 (714) 500-5445 business Russ Hafferkamp, (714) 500-5449 membership (714) 960-2431 fax Lynn Wittstock, Water Polo Times . 4 USA WATER POLO NATIONAL TRAINING CENTER Sandy Nitta, 11360 Valley Forge Ave. Linda Buchanan Los Alamitos, CA 90720 Cover photos courtesy In the Club. 14 (562) 799-8506 business of George Stransky. (562) 799-8508 fax WEB SITE 5 Meters. 18 www.usawaterpolo.org CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Christopher Ramsey In the Area. 24 EXECUTIVE AssISTanT TO THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Chelsea Johnson Calendar of Events. 28 CONTROLLER Ulises Sam DIRECTOR OF MARKETIng and COmmunICATIOns Christine Bird Also In This Issue... DIRECTOR OF OLYMPIC DEVELOpmENT Guy Baker OLYMPIC DEVELOpmENT COORDInaTOR Kraken League ........ 10 Randi Burch MEDIA RELATIOns ManagER Hot Shots ............. 16 Greg Mescall VIDEO COORDInaTOR Jeanine Baca Champions Book .......28 DIRECTOR OF REGIOnaL SPORT DEVELOpmENT Liz Grimes NATIOnaL TEams ManagER pg6 Nikki Jost MEMBERSHIP SERVICES COORDInaTOR Drew Willems Masters Look Ahead... RECEPTIONIST A Record Turnout Ashley Papenbrock Next Issue BOARD OF DIRECTORS >Preview of the 7th Annual Michael Graff (Chairman), Lynn Kachmarik, Jeremy Laster, Ed Reynolds, William Smith, Ellen Estes Lee, Robert Sternfels USA Water Polo Golf Tournament EDITOR Greg Mescall CONTRIbuTORS Darcy Couch, Chris Oeding, Jason Lynch, Jim Cullingham, Mary Pat Robinson, Joan Gould, Ed Haas, Summit Photography, Sally Olds, Jeff Shewmon, Tracy Birdsell, Kevin Burke, Fotos FPN, Fotos Hugo Rocha, Michael Duffy, Gwen Golub, Michael Machnik, George Stransky, Mike Miller, Stan Schwimer, Karina Cordisco, Stuart Sheldon, Jordan Eickman PRINTING Publication Printers >Speedo Cup and Speedo Top 40 Previews 2001 S. Platte River Dr., Denver, CO 80223 | 303-936-0303 CREATIVE Adrenalin, Inc. 54 West 11th Ave., Denver, CO 80204 An Adventure In Water Polo 303-454-8888 | goadrenalin.com Chick McIlroy pg8 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 210, 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 210, Huntington Beach, CA 92648 usawaterpolo.org 1 letter from the CEO, Christopher Ramsey USA WATER POLO INSIDE WATER A Masterful Weekend Of Water Polo One of the most competitive games played during the Masters I want personally congratulate to our Masters athletes who competed Nationals tournament in Irvine, CA, featured the two oldest with passion and skill at our Masters National Championship. This year’s teams— 60+ Men’s entries from the California Old Boys/Old tournament was the largest of its kind ever held by USA Water Polo— Mission Bay Athletic Club versus the Tri-Valley team. One of and by a large margin. A total of 87 teams competed, 25 more than the the truly outstanding aspects of hosting a championship at the previous record. Nick Baba and his host club, Irvine Water Polo, also did a tremendous job (along with USA Water Polo staff) putting together a Woollett Aquatics Center is its spectator-friendly layout, allow- tournament that ran on time and squeezed in a great deal of action. ing inquisitive fans to watch four games simultaneously from the Finally, our Masters Committee led by Bryan Weaver put in many hours upper bleachers. I stumbled upon the COB/OMB vs. Tri-Valley of discussion and assistance to help us get this event right. We value their contest from just such a vantage point and enjoyed watching commitment and support. a hard-fought fourth quarter that ended tied in regulation, USA Water Polo is increasing its commitment to Masters-level competi- leading to a shootout. tion. Masters was an important part of our strategic growth work, and Each team’s shooters and goalies played remarkably, making for a seesaw some of our zones—including the Midwest and SOPAC— are already battle that featured corners pinned and good shots swatted away. When piloting programs for “casual” Masters Nights, where players can drop the water calmed, the California Old Boys/Old Mission Bay team were in for pickup games and training. Our hope is to hire a full-time staff the victors, 10-9. It was great water polo by some awesomely conditioned member by year’s end to actively establish new leagues, tournaments, and gentlemen; it was inspiring to see them in battle. other playing opportunities while also promoting the awesome experience Another great contest saw the Fighting Flamingos best the Gator Gals, that is Masters water polo. 5-4. The Flamingos triumphed in a division that included the SODA Moms, C.R. the Calgary Polo Splash, and the Menlo Mavens—just a few of the colorful Huntington Beach monikers that teams rallied behind. There was great water polo at all levels, including an explosion of 30 teams under 30 years of age. The Masters Social on Saturday evening brought together players of all ages from across the nation, each sharing war stories from the tournament while comparing notes about water polo in their area. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR If you have a comment or question concerning Skip Shot magazine, send in a letter to the editor. You can write to Skip Shot Magazine: c/o USA Water Polo, 2124 Main Street, Suite 240, Huntington Beach, CA 92648 or send an email to: [email protected] 2 News Briefs USA WATER POLO WATER POLO TIMES Schroeder Nominated for U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame DIreCtors ratIfIeD anD Bylaws AmenDeD at USA water Polo assembly Photo courtesyPhoto of US Presswire. The USA Water Polo General Assembly was held at the University of clarified the responsibility of directors to include that they personally represent the international ideals of the Olympic Games by working to build Maryland May 8-10 as newly named Women’s Senior National Team contribute to USAWP, as well as help raise funds and other resources for the a peaceful and better world through sport. Also new to 2009, the induction Head Coach Adam Krikorian led the UCLA Bruins to an unprecedented organization, and (3) staggered director terms to insure continuity of ceremony will feature a special fundraising banquet to benefit Chicago fifth-straight Women’s NCAA Title. The assembly brought together the board. 2016, Chicago’s bid to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. elected representatives from every zone, along with the USAWP Board The meeting opened with presentations by Graff on the state of USA “We’re very excited for the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame presented of Directors and USA Water Polo staff for two days of governance work, Water Polo as well and another entitled “The Road Ahead” by Ramsey. by Allstate to return to Chicago for the fourth time,” Ryan said. presentations, and water polo. Steve Stennerson from U.S. Lacrosse delivered a presentation provid- “Chicago is a city that truly embraces the Olympic movement, and to have USOC High Performance Director for Water Polo and former USA ing insight into the American lacrosse growth surge in the last 10 years, a Chicago company like Allstate involved in celebrating historic Olympic Women’s Soccer Olympic Head Coach April Heinrichs delivered the while USA Water Polo’s Liz Grimes reviewed the U.S. Leagues program and Paralympic achievements showcases the broad support our city has keynote address on Friday evening to kick off the weekend. Hei- and introduced several youth initiatives currently underway around for the movement.” nrichs spoke of the tremendous turnaround USA Water Polo has the country. Nominees for the induction class of 2009 were selected by a 10-per- seen in recent years and outlined steps for the organization to reach The youth initiative presentations included: Splash Ball, presented A four-time Olympian and two-time Medalist as a player Terry Schroeder was son nominating committee consisting of athletes, members of the maximum potential. recently nominated for the US Olympic Hall of Fame by Southern Pacific Zone Chair Mark Cousineau; Noodle Ball, U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame, historians, and USOC representatives. “It’s important to bring our community together occasionally to discuss presented by Rafael Ruano of American River Water Polo; and H20 Terry Schroeder, USA Water Polo men’s Olympic team head coach— the business of our sport,” said Christopher Ramsey, USA Water Polo’s Ball, presented by Nick Grzeda, vice chairman of the Northeast Zone. and one of the most legendary players in the history of American Men’s The nominees are: chief executive officer. “We had terrific presentations Mikeby Graff, April Water Polo—has been nominated for the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame pre- The session concluded with a presentation by Director of Olympic INDIVIDUALS Heinrichs, and Steve Stennerson, which gave everyone on hand a great sented by Allstate. The four-time Olympian and coach of the Men’s Silver Development Guy Baker, who fielded questions on the newly revamped Greg Barton, canoe/kayak deal to consider and discuss.” Medal-winning team at the 2008 Olympics is joined by a host of world Jeff Blatnick, wrestling ODP. In addition board of directors member Lynn Kachmarik delivered class athletes, including swimmer Gary Hall, Sr. and the 1992 Men’s Gold Valerie Brisco-Hooks, athletics The University of Maryland’s Comcast Center was the site for the a closing note on respecting the game of water polo.