THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF USA WATER POLO ALL QUIET
Water Polo Comes To Worldwide Halt In Face Of COVID-19 Pandemic
VOLUME 35, NUMBER 1, SPRING 2020
THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF USA WATER POLO VOL. 35, NUM. 1, Spring 2020 What’s Inside... USA WATER POLO NATIONAL OFFICE ON THE COVER . . 6 Morgan, Suite 150, Irvine, CA 92618 ALL QUIET (714) 500-5445 business • (714) 500-5449 membership University of the Inside Water...... 2 USA WATER POLO NATIONAL TRAINING CENTER Pacific, set to host the 11360 Valley Forge Ave., Los Alamitos, CA 90720 Water Polo Comes To 2020 NCAA Women’s WEB SITE Worldwide Halt In Face 5 Meters...... 4 www.usawaterpolo.org Of COVID-19 Pandemic National Championship sits idle. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Christopher Ramsey Photo by Greg Mescall Water Polo Times ...... 8 CHIEF MEMBERSHIP & ADVANCEMENT OFFICER Stephanie London Krogius CHIEF HIGH PERFORMANCE OFFICER A Day in the Life...... 20 John Abdou SENIOR DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP & SAFESPORT COMPLIANCE Christy Sicard DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS From the Deck...... 22 Greg Mescall DIRECTOR OF EVENTS Ryan Cunnane Lob Shots...... 26 DIRECTOR OF MARKETING Nancy Atufunwa DIRECTOR OF FINANCE Scott Aubin Hot Shots...... 28 DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES Joni Walbring SENIOR HIGH PERFORMANCE MANAGER Anne Laurence FINANCE MANAGER Fay Hu DIGITAL MEDIA MANAGER Sherie Key Also In This Issue TEXAS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Joe Linehan pg12 ReCaps EVENTS MANAGER Katie Wieber Water Polo Growth DEVELOPMENT MANAGER By The Numbers . . . . . 18 Eva Padilla Dare To Dream SPORT GROWTH MANAGER Genai Kerr 10 & Under Festival expands NATIONAL REFEREE MANAGER College Seniors...... 21 Levon Dermendjian to three locations PARTNERSHIP MARKETING MANAGER Yiyon Lee Making A Difference. . . . 27 MEMBERSHIP PROGRAMS AND OPERATIONS MANAGER Hannah Meyer MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR/ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Emily Cardona HIGH PERFORMANCE COORDINATOR Meghan Nee EVENTS COORDINATOR Look Ahead... Blake Nahmias NATIONAL REFEREE COORDINATOR Next Issue Tiffany Spiritosanto EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE CEO >Back In The Pool? Mai Lam EVENTS COORDINATOR McKenna Mitchell COMMUNICATIONS/SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR Robert Nilsen STRATEGIC PLANNING ASSOCIATE Marty Samuels BOARD OF DIRECTORS Michael Graff (Chairman), Rudy Baldoni, Houston Hall, Sheldon Pang, Walt Price, > Olympic Games Postponed Alfonso Pulido, Bill Smith, Jessica Steffens, Peter Varellas, Brenda Villa, pg14 ReCaps Gerrit Adams, Susan Bao, Laura Muller, Ted Weggeland, Nori Gerardo Lietz EDITOR Greg Mescall ODP National CONTRIBUTORS Kelley Casey, Kelley L. Cox, Angela Kraus, Jonathan Moore, Matt Szabo, Michael Randazzo, Dave Williamson, Brian Alexander, Chris Ramsey, Dr. Naresh Rao, Elizabeth Judge, Daniel Cavallo, Chris Duffy, Ray Kreienkamp, David Urbansk Championships PRINTING Quad Graphics, 555 South 108th Street, West Allis, WI 53214 Boys competition results, CREATIVE Adrenalin, Inc., 54 West 11th Ave., Denver, CO 80204 girls event postponed 303-454-8888 • goadrenalin.com
USA Water Polo Skip Shot Magazine (ISSN# 15507580) is published four times per year by United States Water Polo, Inc., 6 Morgan, Suite 150, Irvine, CA 92618. Periodicals postage is paid at Irvine, CA 92618 and additional mailing offices. usawaterpolo.org 1 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Skip Shot Magazine, United States Water Polo, Inc., 6 Morgan, Suite 150, Irvine, CA 92618 INSIDE WATER letter from the CEO, Christopher Ramsey USA WATER POLO The World Needs the Best of Us in the Worst of Times Water polo players are trained for adversity. Whether it’s getting caught on the wrong end of a counterattack, giving up an easy goal on a missed assignment, or being called for an exclusion when you’re the one being held, we all have learned how to keep our heads up and move on to the next possession.
Our national teams train to handle bad breaks. No man is an island entire of itself; every man tions, and during this pandemic, our culture’s The 2012 women’s team won our hearts when a is a piece of the continent, a part of the main; toughness and positivity matters. mistake against Australia forced overtime, and the if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe Our athletes and coaches are stepping up. In the squad rallied to make the finals—which led to its last few weeks, Ashleigh Johnson sent out an is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as first Olympic Gold medal with a rousing win over amazing video of a goalie drill using tennis balls. Spain. And they haven’t looked back. well as any manner of thy friends or of thine Jack Bowen has pushed out “Ten Thoughts for Wa- Success in water polo demands resilience. own were; any man’s death diminishes me, ter Polo Athletes.” For real life inspiration, look no further than Jack Turner’s quest to make the men’s With the global outbreak of COVID-19, our world because I am involved in mankind. is rapidly taking on water and searching for ways national team after suffering a broken neck in a car And therefore never send to know for whom to cope. Most of us are confined to our homes, and accident. There are plenty of examples of people in we are facing the kinds of tough challenges that the bell tolls; it tolls for thee. our community making a difference. keep us up late at night searching for answers. In Just as Picasso anticipated the digital age in the This is a period of extraordinary adversity on a addition to our own personal concerns, the planet art of his cubist period, Donne foreshadowed global scale. Yet all of us can contribute in making is undergoing a world of hurt. This crisis is causing Max Plank’s work in quantum mechanics and the world a little better. COVID-19 is a setback, us to recognize that we are inextricably connected. Schrödinger’s entanglement theory with this ex- certainly. Yet it’s also a reality check that we’re all We have suffered pandemics before, notably the traordinary poem. The same idea was borrowed in this together. And if philosophers are right that Black Plague in Europe. Out of that pandemic and popularized by Master Yoda’s Jedi teachings our greatest satisfaction results from overcoming was birthed the Renaissance—one of humankind’s in Star Wars. Everything in the universe is energy, adversity, this crisis may yet prove to be one of our greatest triumphs of resilience. Although that was ever flowing, ever changing, and ever interacting. planet’s finest hours. a long time ago, I still take comfort in John Don- Everything is connected. ne’s prescient poem from that time, “No Man Is an Which is another way to think about the profound Island.” (OK, they were not gender-enlightened in influence of our water polo community upon the those days…) world. The energy of our sport flows in all direc- Chris
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© 2020, Colorado Time Systems 5 METERS Quick Shots from USA Water Polo USA WATER POLO My Did You Know? Music Did you know the first major FINA competition for women’s water polo was the 1979 FINA World Cup PAYTON YOUNG, EMPIRE WATER POLO ACADEMY (OR) held in Merced, “All I Do Is Win” by DJ Khaled —This song gets me and my team hyped. Every time we hear it, we’re ready for a game! CA, where Team “In the Dark” by YG —We played this on the way to every game at Jjunior Olympics last year. USA won Gold My whole team knows every word. This song just brings back so many fun memories! with victories “Good Morning” by Kanye West —My coach would play this song full blast every morning to wake up my team when we were at travel tournaments. It drove everyone crazy, but a over Australia, small part of all of us love it! “Party in the USA” by Miley Cyrus Canada, and —Oh man, you can only sing this song at the top of your lungs, otherwise you’re doing it wrong. This song makes everyone happy and excited! New Zealand? “God’s Country” by Blake Shelton —This one hits home. I love where I live, and this song really makes my heart feel good. I love this country and everything it offers me, my family, and my team!
We know in these trying times it can be hard to be away from the pool and the sport we all love, but don't worry— USA Water Polo has you covered! Each Monday for as long we’re all out of the pool, we'll be sharing a schedule for the week that will feature live interviews, education sessions, fitness training, as well as exclusive member offerings!
We kicked things off March 23 with an interview with our Plus, our social media accounts (@USAWP on Instagram, National Referee Manager Levon Dermendjian, a cooking Twitter, and Facebook) will be sharing some of your favor- lesson with former National Team athlete Kodi Hill, and ite content and helping you stay connected with the rest of a chat with water polo legend Merrill Moses. Our USA the water polo world. Water Polo exclusive member content featured a workout So, make sure you’re checking the email account associated with Men’s Athletic Trainer Chris Bates as well as college with your USA Water Polo membership and don’t forget to recruiting information from our friends at Next College follow @USAWP on social media. We’re all in this together, Student Athlete (NCSA). and your USA Water Polo family is here to support you. We’ll be talking to you soon! #AtHomeUSAWP
4 Your thoughts on . .
Sean Gripp– Best Movie Theater Snack & Why: Buncha Jonas Brothers: Honestly, I’ve never been a Lyons Aquatics (IL) Crunch. Look it up and buy it immediately. huge fan of theirs, but I do really enjoy their Tokyo Olympic Games: I’m I’ve never had anything better. song “Sucker.” excited, especially since we Camping: Truthfully I’ve never done anything Best Movie Theater Snack & Why: Straight get to watch a great team besides sleeping in an RV, which hardly homemade popcorn. Not too much butter. Not represent the USA. counts—but I’d be very open to trying it. too much salt. Simple, original, elegant. Jonas Brothers: I used to be sort of into them, Pre-Game Routine: Every game I HAVE to Camping: I’ve been on many camping trips. but now I just don’t hear about them anymore. listen to ”Everytime We Touch” by Cascada But when I attended to the Foster Lake tourna- Best Movie Theater Snack & Why: Probably then high-five my goalie before swim-off or no ment, we camped out and played water polo just popcorn because that’s what’s there, and a doubt I will play horribly. in a lake. That was so fun! We even made the lot of the candy at movie theaters isn’t even newspaper watching the games while floating on air-mattresses. that good. Kara Hughes– Camping: I’m a big fan of everything except South Davis Water Polo (CA) Pre-Game Routine: Likely the same as most players, but my team has its own mix of swim- the uncomfortable sleep. Everything else is Tokyo Olympic Games: ming and drills before our games. The main really fun until you have to sleep in a bag. SO EXCITED! I’ve been thing I do is try to relax and stay focused. Pre-Game Routine: I don’t eat anything spe- looking forward to watching cial. I drink lots of water and Gatorade, listen to water polo in the Olympics music, and sometimes I take a minute or two to since the last Olympics! myself to get mentally prepared for my game. Jonas Brothers: I hate to admit it but all I can think about is Camp Inside Rock... Noah Gerard– Corona del Mar Aquatics (CA) Best Movie Theater Snack & Why: A three-pack of pictures from one Hannes Daube Popcorn and something chocolatey, Tokyo Olympic Games: of your favorite Team USA athletes. @hannesdaube no questions asked. I can’t wait. USA Water Polo Be sure to give them a follow! USA Men’s Senior National Team is going to be on fire! I am Camping: I love camping! Being & USC Water Polo psyched. outdoors and enjoying nature with my family or team is one of my Jonas Brothers: Who? favorite things! Best Movie Theater Snack & Why: Hershey’s Pre-Game Routine: Listening to bar and a large chocolate shake—chocolate upbeat music, hanging out with my chocolate chocolate. team, and eating grilled cheese! Camping: Hopefully on a beach near really good (and large) surf! Magnus Neil– Pre-Game Routine: lots of water and lots o’ Puget Sound Polo (WA) pancakes…and a motivational speech from Tokyo Olympic coach Lucas Reynolds. Games: These games are the Maggie Krieger– build-up of my Wissahickon Community water polo career so far, seeing as Aquatics Club (PA) how I joined right after the 2016 Tokyo Olympic Games: Can’t Games and have looked forward wait to see Team USA destroy to the next Games ever since. their opponents! Needless to say, I am excited! Jonas Brothers: If you don’t watch Camp Rock on repeat, what are you doing?
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Bill Barnett Distinguished Coaching Award 2019 Zone Award Central California Jason Gall Bakersfield Water Polo Coastal California Matthew Flanders Westside Aquatics Winners Announced Midwest Geoff Gear Columbus Water Polo USA Water Polo is proud to announce the 2019 Zone Award Winners. Mountain Chris Magee Team Vegas Water Polo The winners, representing zones from all across the country, honor con- Northeast James Ramaley Chelsea Piers Water polo tributions in variety of areas including coaching, officiating, volunteer- Pacific Brian Kreutzkamp Stanford Water Polo Foundation ing, masters water polo, and more. From these zone award winners will Pacific Northwest & Hawaii Ryan Duffy Bend Waves come the USA Water Polo National Award winners. The National Award Pacific Southwest Jake Hodgens Del Mar Water Polo Club winners will be announced later this year with more information coming soon. Congratulations to all of our award winners! Southeast Stephanie Johnson Possell Orlando Thunder Southern Pacific Justin Johnson SET 2019 AWARD RECIPIENTS Southwest Mihai Oprea Trident Water Polo Zone Recipient Club Affiliation Doc Hunkler Distinguished Coaching Award Monte Nitzkowski Distinguished Coaching Award Central California Matthew Personius Sonora Water Polo Central California Bruce Hastie Sacramento Water Polo Coastal California Zachary Graper Pride Water Polo Academy Coastal California Brian Flacks Los Angeles Premier Midwest Ian Hewett Third Coast Aquatics Midwest Matthew Latham Spartan Water Polo Club Mountain Michael Goldhardt South County-Herriman Water Polo Mountain No 2019 Recipient Northeast Paul Constantin Greenwich Aquatics Northeast John McBride Bucknell University Pacific Catherine Arroyo Diablo Alliance Water Polo Pacific John Vargas Stanford Water Polo Foundation Pacific Northwest & Hawaii Andrew Aki Hawaiian Islands Water Polo Pacific Northwest & Hawaii Kraig Lofstedt Oregon Empire Water Polo Pacific Southwest Jacob Castro San Diego Shores Water Polo Pacific Southwest No 2019 Recipient Southeast Eric Lefebvre Raider Water Polo Southeast David Huelsman Gator Water Polo Club Southern Pacific Robert “Bob” Corb Ohana Water Polo Academy Southern Pacific Steve Carrera North Irvine Water Polo (Northwood) Southwest Christopher “Scott” Slay West Houston Water Polo Southwest Thomas Andrew Longhorn Aquatics Ted Newland Distinguished Coaching Award Sandy Nitta Distinguished Coaching Award Central California Rachel Ruano American River Water Polo Central California Jamey Wright UC Davis/ Davis Water Polo Club Coastal California Kornel Ujszaszi Los Angeles Water Polo Club Coastal California Robert Echeverria Rose Bowl Water Polo Club Midwest Ashley Hill ODP Midwest Midwest Colleen Lischwe Mckendree/Clayton Water Polo Club Mountain Johhn Cogliandro Mesa Water Polo Mountain Todd Clapper ASU/ Sun Devil Water Polo Northeast Ganriel Maldonado Greenwich Aquatics Northeast Ted Minnis Harvard University/Crimson Water Polo Pacific Brodin Jasper CC United Pacific No 2019 Recipient Pacific Northwest & Hawaii Scott Mckechnie Oregon Empire Water Polo Pacific Northwest & Hawaii Shawn Mckechnie Oregon Empire Water Polo Pacific Southwest Jakov Belamaric Del Mar Water Polo Club Pacific Southwest No 2019 Recipient Southeast Daniel Cercols South Florida Water Polo Club Southeast Caroll Vaughan Miami Riptides Water Polo Southern Pacific Kevin Nesbit Rancho Tsunami Water Polo Club Southern Pacific Ethan Damato SET Southwest Peter Hudak Trident Water Polo Southwest No 2019 Recipient
Photos by Catharyn Hayne
Brian Flacks (sunglasses) was honored with the Monte Nitzkowski Distinguished Danielle Dabbaghian (left) was recognized with the Bret Bernard Coaching Award for his efforts with LA Premier, The Olympic Club and Distinguished Referee Award after a successful year in the whites Harvard Westlake. representing the Pacific Southwest Zone.
8 News Briefs WATER POLO TIMES
Brent Bohlender Distinguished Coaching Award Barbara Kalbus Distinguished Volunteer Award Central California Steven Allen Arroyo Grande Water Polo Central California Jim Weaver Central Valley Water Polo Club Coastal California Patrick Beemer Foothill Water Polo Coastal California Pamela Tanase Santa Barbara 805 Midwest Myles Reif West Suburban Water Polo Midwest Christopher Cloy St. Charles Water Polo Club Mountain Maureen Davenport Colorado Water Polo Mountain Jennifer Pittmann-Leeper Mesa Water Polo Northeast Ulmis Lordache Greenwich Aquatics Northeast Peter Gordon Mass Youth Water Polo Inc. Pacific Guy Baker Lamorinda Water Polo Pacific Andra Berkman Lamorinda Pacific Northwest & Hawaii Aukai Ferguson Lake Oswego Water Polo Organiza Pacific Northwest & Hawaii Molly Riegelmann Oregon Empire Water Polo Pacific Southwest Mitchell Seeley San Diego Shores Water Polo Pacific Southwest Dusty Tockstein Poway Valley Southeast Chelsea Johnson Miami Riptides Water Polo Southeast Priam Rosenberg Miami Riptides Southern Pacific Chelsea Harrod North Irvine Water Polo (Northwood) Southern Pacific Robin Baia SOCAL Water Polo Foundation Southwest Taylor Cox Southside Water Polo Club Honey Badgers Southwest Leslie Benners Peagasus Water Polo
Bret Bernard Distinguished Referee Award Bryan Weaver Distinguished Central California Darren Spiritosanto Male Masters Athlete of the Year Award Coastal California Scott Bernnand Central California Jeremy Pope Alumni Water Polo Midwest Chad Packer Coastal California Richard Esterkin Santa Barbara Masters Mountain Connor Roberston Midwest Kevin Kerber Clayton Water Polo Club Northeast Alex Stankevitch Mountain Victor Nguyen Old Pueblo Water Polo Pacific Andrew Selder Northeast No 2019 Recipient Pacific Northwest & Hawaii Kacie Bund Pacific Omar Amr The Olympic Club/ Newport Water Polo Pacific Southwest Danielle Dabbaghian Pacific Northwest & Hawaii No 2019 Recipient Southeast Michael Goldenberg Pacific Southwest Richard Freyre Darkside Southern Pacific Jennifer McCall Southeast Ron Van Gent South Florida Water Polo Club Southwest Angela Uno Southern Pacific Sean Plotkin Pacific Coast Riptide Southwest Nicholas Barnett HOPS Tom Hermstad Distinguished Referee Award Central California Eric Douglas Bryan Weaver Distinguished Coastal California Michael McMahon Female Masters Athlete of the Year Award Midwest Ed Prystalski Central California Kandace Waldthaler Davis Water Polo Mountain Tyson Heath Coastal California Alisa Revi Long Beach Water Polo Club Northeast Michael Schofield Midwest Alexis Jones New Trier Aquatics Pacific Rachel McCracken Mountain Vaune Kadlubek Team Vegas Pacific Northwest & Hawaii Hayk Bulgadarian Northeast Eileen Loveless Brooklyn Hustle Water Polo Pacific Southwest No 2019 Recipient Pacific Lisa Berquist-Bowman Oakland Water Polo Southeast Stephanie Beauchemin-Villalobos Pacific Northwest & Hawaii Jadene Stensland Lake Oswego Water Polo Organization Southern Pacific David Brown Pacific Southwest No 2019 Recipient Southwest Thomas “Mitch” Dooley Southeast Chelsea Johnson Miami Riptides Southern Pacific Melissa Fernandez Pacific Coast Riptide Aaron Chaney Distinguished Referee Award Southwest Ashley Hatcher Pegasus Water Polo Central California David Maes Coastal California Jennifer Frain Masters Club Of The Year Midwest Aleksandar Mitrevski Central California Davis Water Polo Club Mountain Jesse Kochel Coastal California Long Beach Battle Axes Northeast Greg Hallisey Midwest Windy City Water Polo Pacific Sarah Pistorino Mountain Old Pueblo Pacific Northwest & Hawaii Courtney Bird Northeast Washington Wetskins Pacific Southwest Adam Eaton Pacific The Olympic Club Southeast Tyler Lopez Pacific Northwest & Hawaii Puget Sound Polo Southern Pacific Michael Stachowski Pacific Southwest Darkside Southwest Easton Honaker Southeast Dynamo Southern Pacific Pacific Coast Riptide Southwest HOPS
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Honda Center~ Anaheim ReCaps USA WATER POLO
2020 The 2020 Dare to Dream 10 & Under Festival returned to Woollett Aquatics Center in Irvine, CA, and Lamar High School in Houston, TX—and for the first time appeared at Miramonte High School in Orinda, CA. This year’s competition occurred January 18 and 19 and did not feature medals being awarded or placement games. Instead the focus was on having a fun competition with good sportsmanship and growing the sport of water polo. The Irvine tournament featured 23 teams—and once again the squads split into three divisions after the first DREAM BIG! round: Dreamers, Believers, and Achievers. The tournament in Orinda featured 18 teams divided into three divisions: 10U Girls, 10U Mixed, and ANNUAL DARE TO 10U Novice. The Houston tournament featured 23 teams split into three divisions: 10U Mixed, 12U Girls, and 12U Mixed. All three venues saw lots of DREAM TOURNAMENT great action and examples of sportsmanship. And athletes also were encouraged to share their dreams on dream boards—and at the end of the competi- CONTINUES TO GROW tions, the boards were filled with great messages.
IRVINE, CA HOUSTON, TX ORINDA, CA DREAMERS 10U MIXED 10U GIRLS Newport Beach A Lone Star/Mavericks 680 Patriot A Longhorn Lamorinda Blue Vanguard Thunder Lamorinda Brentwood Trojan A Triumph Lamorinda Gold Del Mar Viper Pigeons Lamorinda White SOCAL Santa Clara SC Pride 12U GIRLS Stanford CFWPC BELIEVERS Lone Star/Mavericks 10U MIXED Laguna Beach Thunder 680 Costa Mesa Triumph CC United Orange County WPC A Viper Pigeons Davis Shore Aquatics A Lamorinda Red Bay Club Lamorinda Yellow Rancho Tsunami 12U MIXED CFWPC Irvine Kahuna Cowtown Trojan B 10U NOVICE Lake Jackson 680 Lone Star/Mavericks Green CC United ACHIEVERS Lone Star/Mavericks Yellow Diablo Alliance Commerce Longhorn Lamorinda Green Port Streets Pegasus Lamorinda Purple Orange County WPC B Southside San Jose/Almaden Water Polo Patriot B Triumph Newport Beach B Thunder Black Western Club Thunder Silver Gold Coast Viper Pigeons Shore Aquatics B Zilla
12 ReCaps
All photos courtesy Mai Lam, Joe Linehan and Ryan Cunnane
usawaterpolo.org 13 ReCaps USA WATER POLO FUTURE OF TEAM USA SHOWS OFF THEIR SKILLS IN RIVERSIDE The 2020 ODP Boys National Championship returned to Riverside, CA this year! Once again some of the top talent in the country came to the Inland Empire to compete in the next step of the Olympic Development Program process. See below for top finishers and all the National Team Selection Camp picks in addition to the Nick Johnson Inspiration Award recipients.
Unfortunately, as of this printing the 2020 ODP Girls National Championships has been postponed until May 22-24, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ll have more information on the girls competition in the next issue of SkipShot.
2020 ODP Boys Griffen Price 2020 ODP Boys Charles Matthews Luke Paley Drake Bonaguidi Youth National Brock Zamanian Cadet National Chase McFarland Jaxon Hoover Alec Waters Team Selections Grant Watson Team Selections Carsten Peters Nehemiah Pavoggi Haakon Lacy Trey Doten Wyatt Mundelius Easton Hamm Jack Richards Alexandros Cacos Nicholas Tovani Samuel Otta Gregory Hilderbrand Jonathan Vochatzer Jacob Tsotadze Christopher Calis Tyler Hogan Nolan Krutonog Zayd Mahmoud Christopher Arakelian Elliot Cooper Connor Kim Zane Tanabe Ethan Parrish Andrew Hitchcock Baxter Chelsom Gregory Nordheim Camden Kocur Mikhail Popov Owen Hale John Beamon Zac Crenshaw Tariq Tazisidqui Taj Whitehead Razvan Alistar George Avakian Sole Fratila William Fosselman Max Zelikov Roman Ng Henry Engs Nicholas Tierney Luksa Vlasic Bernardo Herzer Alexander Altshuler Guillermo De La Mora Donovan Swann Samuel Arshadi Maximo Rossi Thomas Leggett Evan Ausmus Mason Martsolf Ben Forer Henry Allen Garret Griggs Alex Lopez Spencer Averitt Jaden Joemtree David Skov Joshua Waldoch Tanner Pulice Daniel Mnatsakanian Sai Bassett Max Burstein Mark Harrup Liam Markus Anthony Laster Wyatt Pieretti Zachary Bettino Chase Martsolf Rick Li Aidan Wattson Reed Stemler Logan Puhl Zachary Cwiertnia Taj Draper Soren Jessen Zachary Frazier James Kieckhafer Jaxson Tierney Ryder Dodd Miles Parker Stefano Gerodimos Gray Carson Ike Love Jake Klingenberg Caleb Francisco Ryan Barone Jed Johnson Reef Lippa Riley Pittman Jaime Bhattacharyya Benjamin Liechty Gus Ralston Garrett Chivers Anthony Golin Guillermo Andre Ocasio Noah Wendt Carter Loth Dylan Morris Ryan Tannus Nash Brandon Ethan Crooks Thomas Diaz Matthew Morgan Mateo Mendez Ahmad Fareed Dimitriy Kobets Samuel Monette Jackson Sanders Reed Pantaleon Jack Reif Bode Brinkema Noah Lawson Eric Hubner Luke Baird Jace Rodriguez Dillon Shaw Brian Barnuevo Nicholas Obradovich Chase Dodd Ryan Miele James Rozolis-Hill William Madsen Cole Craft Thomas Cass Jackson Matos Ryan Ohl William Schneider Mason Friedman Cole Francisco Jack Bruce Logan McCarroll Finn Friedland Nathan Tauscher Jack Dillane Colt Bradley Gavin West Luke Redoutey Braden DiMaria Gage Verdegaal Santino Di Como Kai Inoue John Ohl Noah Rowe Austin Kahn Jackson Benners Adam Blum Nathaniel Banos Ian Shultz Brendon Fezzey Daniel Khristich Luka Zivaljevic Petar Stjepanovic Brody Metz Zach Fales Grant Loth Marton Szatmary Finn Miller Cash La Rochelle Jack Martin Nikola Mirkovic Alex Zarcu 2020 ODP Boys Raymond Rossart Dylan Hazen Jackson Painter Matthew Walsh Piero Arienti Development Victor Bonhomme Kai Kaneko Dishan Dias Marko Maramica Wyatt Bugbee National Team Vincent Vega Gage Fojtasek Selections Christopher Indart Elias Liechty Charles Davis Weston Bancroft Travis Thames Brodie Sladek Leo Ohannessian Ryder Hagan Bo Brown Bowen Clemens Logan Kraft West Temkin Ben Larsen Christian Davis Gavin Conant Evan Croley
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YOUTH NICK JOHNSON AWARD RECIPIENTS Gold–SPA Red ZONE YOUTH CADET DEVELOPMENT Silver–PAC Red Bronze–CST Red CEN Ronan Bailey Christian Braum Bo Brown 9th Place Consolation: Northeast CST RED Aidan Wattson Thomas Leggett Camden Kocur Top Coach: Nic Maes, Central Top Officials: Jorge Villalobos, Southeast CST BLUE Bryce Biglin Blake Better Colton Fine CADET GLZ Sam Beutel Patrick Vitaniemi Liam Miller Gold–SPA Red HAW Kainoa Taitano Hayden Chong Tim Dylan Morris Silver–CST Red MDW Max Adame Adam Hastings Mason Hofmann Bronze–PAC Red 9th Place Consolation: Northeast MTN Nicholas Obradovich Jackson Sanders William Madsen Top Coach: Jim Staresinic, Great Lakes NEZ Gavin West Mihailo Lemaic James Walker Top Officials: Peter Zamoyski, Pacific Southwest PAC RED Adam Ting Jacob Dixon David Skov DEVELOPMENT PAC BLUE Parker Hett Charles Saunders Stefano Gerodimos Gold–PAC Red PNW Ian Shults Giovanni Carlo Cremona Finn Miller Silver–SPA Red Bronze–NEZ PSW Joshua Fraley Oliver Price Vincent Vega 9th Place Consolation: Central SEZ Riccardo Di Giuseppe William Byers Cooper Badics Top Coach: Ben Vierra, Pacific Red Top Officials: Troy Kaltenbach, SoPac SPA RED Nikola Mirkovic Evan Ausmus Cole Francisco A LL-STA R SPA BLUE Elias Liechty Riley Clanson James Mulvey 1. East 2. North 3. West 4. South SWZ Leo Ohannessian Luka Zivaljevic Owen Kroh
YOUTH GOLD—SPA RED CADET GOLD—SPA RED DEVELOPMENT GOLD—PAC RED
YOUTH SILVER—PAC RED CADET SILVER—CST RED DEVELOPMENT SILVER—SPA RED
YOUTH BRONZE—CST RED CADET BRONZE—PAC RED DEVELOPMENT BRONZE—NEZ
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THE SAFESPORT ACT non-consensual sexual conduct, sexual harassment or On February 14, 2018, Senate bill S. 534 intimate relationships involving an imbal- - Protecting Young Victims from Sexual ance of power, must be reported imme- Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act diately to the U.S. Center for SafeSport of 2017 – was signed into law, becoming by visiting SafeSport.org or at 1-720-531- effective immediately. 0340. This legislation amends the Victims of If a crime has been committed, report it to Child Abuse Act of 1990 and the Amateur local authorities: Contact local authorities Sports Act of 1978 and, among other if you have a reasonable suspicion that things: (i) extends reporting duties; (ii) child sexual abuse or neglect has occurred. expands civil remedies; and (iii) designates All reports of child abuse or sexual assault the United States Center for SafeSport of a minor must also be reported to local (the “Center”) to serve as the independent authorities. Reports of abuse not involv- national safe sport organization. ing a minor may also be reported to local The bill imposes a duty on amateur sports authorities. At USA Water Polo, we are organizations, including USA Water Polo Contact USA Water Polo for other kinds committed to a Safe Sport and its adult members, to report suspected of misconduct: Other forms of misconduct sex-abuse to local or federal law enforce- environment. We have a zero include emotional or physical misconduct, ment or to a child-welfare agency desig- tolerance policy toward bullying, hazing or harassment may be nated by the Justice Department, within reported to USA Water Polo for handling in misconduct, including sexual 24 hours. Failure to report is subject to accordance with USA Water Polo’s griev- misconduct. We want to remind criminal penalties. ance procedures. Please visit USAWP’s our members of the program U.S. Center for SafeSport is the inde- SafeSport website for more information. we have put in place to foster pendent national safe sport organization SafeSport crisis line for 24/7 crisis support: responsible for delivering education and a safe and respectful play A 24/7 hotline has been established by the resolving allegations of misconduct within environment, as well as Center for crisis interventions, referrals the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic move- and emotional support. This confidential highlight recent legislation ments. changes affecting our and secure helpline 1-866-200-0796 is REPORTING operated by RAINN, the nation’s largest membership and participation. Report sexual misconduct to the U.S. anti-sexual violence organization. Life- Center for SafeSport: All sexual miscon- threatening emergencies should call 911. duct matters such as child sex abuse, UPCOMING EVENTS VISIT USAWATERPOLO.ORG FOR MOST UP TO DATE INFORMATION FROM AGE GROUP TO COLLEGE, WATER POLO A SPORT ON THE RISE State . More than 15 new college varsity programs growing the sport nationwide . The excitement The numbers don’t lie: have either commenced play or announced around our game will only grow with the Tokyo Water polo is one of plans to begin play in the last 12 months . All this Olympic Games, and we look forward to introduc- America’s fastest activity is coupled with continued success on the ing water polo to a new generation this summer ”. international scene for Team USA that has seen USA Water Polo’s membership has virtually growing sports! the USA Women’s National Team win every major doubled since the Beijing Games going from For the first time in history, USA Water Polo—the title in the last four years—and gold medals in 26,873 in 2008 to north of 50,000 at the close national governing body for water polo—sur- the last two Olympic Games . of last year . Through an increased focus on passed 50,000 members in 2019 . The National “Every year our vision for water polo in the United additional play opportunities, the success of Federation of State High School Associations States comes into focus more clearly, and 2019 USAWP’s Olympic Development Program and new (NFHS) again reported growth in boys’ and girls’ was no different,” said Christopher Ramsey, chief programs for children, the uptick in participation high school water polo nationwide, while the executive officer for USA Water Polo . “Thanks to has been steady . state of Texas announced the start of a University a remarkable group of staff and volunteers, led One driver of water polo adoption has been Interscholastic League (UIL) sanctioned high by a committed board of directors, we continue SplashBall, a USA Water Polo program that school pilot program this fall that will trigger to achieve a key piece of our mission statement: encourages sampling of water polo among young exponential growth of water polo in the Lone Star
18 age-group athletes . The 10U program has become continue to play water polo at a high level Championship last fall for men’s water polo . popular across the nation, with many YMCA’s that is not yet recognized by their respective The inaugural women’s event set for spring and other multisport organizations fielding scholastic organizations . 2021 at the home of the Southern California programs, which also serve as a feeder to club College water polo has witnessed a promising Intercollegiate Athletic Conference champion . and varsity programs . In addition to helping kids renaissance as well . After years of reduction for “We’ve long had a motto at USA Water Polo of sample water polo, the program also provides both men’s and women’s programs, recent years ‘polo in every pool,’ and each day we take a step valuable water safety skills as a time when have seen largely positive headlines regarding closer to that goal,” said John Abdou, USA Water drowning remains one of the greatest killers of growth at all levels . The reinstatement of the Polo’s chief high performance officer . “As a former children in America . San Jose State men’s program after decades of college and high school coach, it is thrilling to see USA Water Polo 10 and under membership is up inactivity has inspired multiple new programs by the game expand at those levels . As the head of 10 .8% from 2018 to 2019 and has witnessed a their example . Long Island University in Brooklyn, our sport growth and national team programs, it 35 .5% growth from 2015 numbers . On the other New York, began its first season of women’s water is essential that we see water polo thrive across end of the spectrum is masters water polo featur- polo in this month, while Mount St . Mary’s in the country . We know there is an appetite for ing the sport’s most experienced athletes . The 50 Emmitsburg, Maryland, recently announced the more water polo, and we are excited to do our and over division is up 7 .4% from 2018 to 2019 and start of men’s and women’s water polo programs part in raising the profile of our sport . Many will up 24 .4% from 2015 data . slated for the 2020-21 school year . Austin College get a chance to see water polo for the first time At the high school level, boys’ water polo partici- in Sherman, Texas, brought varsity water polo at the Tokyo Olympic Games, and we hope it pation has risen 8 .8% from 2008-09 to 2018-2019 back to the state in 2018-19—the first time since encourages growth of water polo in pools around while girls’ water polo participation has seen the 1970s, while Ottawa University in Arizona the country and plants the seeds of water polo in an 18% increase over that same time period represents water polo’s return to the National communities where the game doesn’t yet exist ”. according to the NFHS . Not realized in this data Association of Intercollegiate Athletics . To learn more about USA Water Polo, please are high schools that compete in water polo at the The junior college and Division III level are visit USAWaterPolo org. . To find a program in club level . This includes the state of Texas where expected to be even bigger drivers of growth in your area or to help launch the sport at a pool in more than 100 programs are already competing, the future . Schools like Crafton Hills College and your community, please contact membership@ and more will come aboard to benefit from UIL the College of Marin, both in California, have usawaterpolo org. or message USA Water Polo adoption . Kern County in California’s Central pledged new programs while Division III colleges on social media @USAWP on Facebook, Twitter, Valley also approved water polo as a CIF sport such as Austin and Millikin University in Illinois or Instagram . to begin play this fall, while other states such have spurred enough growth that USA Water Polo as Washington, Georgia, Utah, and Tennessee launched the first National Division III Collegiate
usawaterpolo.org 19 Week
Guillermo Ocasio, Men’s Youth National Team and Balmain Tigers Day 1 Sydney and Brisbane, Australia—January 2020 Day 1
Day 1–When I arrived in Australia, I went to the home of Smiths, my host family. They welcomed me, and I received my gear. This is the shirt of the club team I played for—the Balmain Tigers. We had a week of prac- tice before we traveled to Brisbane to play a tournament. The tournament was a massive age-group competition— kind of like Australia’s Junior Olympics. Day 2–In addition to all the water polo, the Smith family took me and another athlete from Italy to the beach Day 2 and showed us around. This was the day before our last day in Sydney. We got to take a speed boat ride and tour the city—including a stop at the famous Opera House. Day 3–We arrived in Brisbane for the main competition, and after winning an early match, we Day 4 had a team dinner underneath the Story Bridge at the Howard Smith Wharves. Day 4–Even though we were having fun in the tournament, the goal was to win. Part of playing successful water polo is recovery. So, we went to a recovery center near our hotel after games. This center had air-compression massagers, hot and cold tubs, and Day 6 a massage gun for the team. Day 5–We were all smiles after picking up a key semi-final win to send us to the finals. Day 6–Gold! What an awesome experience! We gathered for a team photo after winning the final 8-5 in a hard-fought contest. After the victory I also got to celebrate with my host family, the Smiths. I also had the pleasure of meeting Bronwyn Smith—an Olympian who played for the Women’s Australian National team and Damian Smith, a famous Australian rugby player. Day 7 Last but certainly not least, we got the chance Day 7– Day 6 to watch the USA Men’s Senior National Team—which was on a training trip—take on Australia in Brisbane. I got the chance to meet the team and take a photo with the players. An awesome moment on an awesome trip— and I’ll definitely be watching Team USA this summer in the 2020 Olympics!
20 After Sudden Stop, Seniors Reflect On Their College Careers In early March college sports in the United States were halted. Due There would be no conference championships to celebrate or to the concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and a priority postseason banquets, no senior days or team celebrations. While placed on health and safety, college conferences around the coun- many programs still plan on activities in the future to honor the 2020 try announced the cancellation of spring sports. Around the same team and those seniors, USA Water Polo wanted to share some of time the NCAA announced there would be no women’s college water those stories. On March 18 and 19, 12 senior student athletes from polo championship, and USA Water Polo announced the cancella- programs around the country took part in Instagram LIVE interviews tion of the inaugural Division III National Collegiate Championship. to reflect on the sudden end of their seasons, their careers, their teams—as well as what water polo has meant to them. Below are These sudden announcements brought an unexpected end to the some remarks from each participant. 2020 women’s college water polo season—and with it, the end of college athletic careers for seniors across the country.
Kelsey McIntosh (USC) Victoria Rose Meek (Cal Lutheran) These four years have been the most amazing of my life. These girls Keep working hard and don’t let this define your future. It really is a and my coaches and everybody involved are all my family, and how the bummer that this was cut short from us. But I’m really glad we had season ended isn’t going to change that. We’re still going to be around. the opportunity last year to take SCIAC, and I think if anything this We’re still going to be supporting each other no matter what the reminds all the underclassmen that on those days you don’t want to situation is. I’m super lucky to have played and represented wake up for morning practice, it’s worth it. You’re not going to have USC water polo in all that it means, so we fight on. those moments forever, and I think the senior class above us did a really good job instilling that in us. Oriana Galasso (Macalester) The people on our team are going to take it and lead it in the years Amy Castellano (Princeton) to come. We’ve had some amazing freshman come in as well. I’m so I was initially worried being one of the only seniors to have played all happy I was able to have a year with them and the games we had four years on the team. I was worried I was going to feel really alone together. I’ll always think about those memories and be excited and isolated, but my teammates really picked me up through the whole for the future. process and supported me. If anything, I feel like this circumstance has brought us closer, and it’s something that will always bond us. Samantha Malouff (Hawaii) Plus, they immediately came by my side and made a video to honor I would just remind everyone that it’s all a process. We don’t get to me—and created a senior day poster for me that they all signed. pick our final moments, random things happen, injuries happen— but we can appreciate the time that we’ve had being athletes. I love just Hannah Shabb (Stanford) going to practice even if it’s a hard swim set and seeing a rainbow on It’s had a huge impact on my life—the relationships you make and the the other side of the pool deck and just appreciating those moments. teammates you meet. All those experiences and the whole water polo portion was huge, but also there have been non-water polo benefits Auriel Bill (Cal State East Bay) such as leadership, public speaking, confidence, and simply being I’ve been playing water polo for 17 years. I don’t know life without interested and confident in yourself and what you’re going to do. I’ll it, really. It’s one of the most diverse sports. You could be any take away a lot of those things that aren’t related to water polo. height, any weight, from anywhere in the world—and you can play water polo. I think it’s so unique because culturally it brings Angie Varona (Harvard) everyone together. I think a big part of who I am as a person came from playing water polo and developing personality traits I already had apart from the pool Brooke Maxson (UCLA) and applying them to the water and seeing the progress that comes It’s made us all take a step back and realize how fortunate we all are with that. not just to have the opportunity to go to awesome universities, but also to be able to play a sport—and being a woman in sport is an awesome The memories I’ll take with me are made up of the individuals I’ve opportunity that we get that wasn’t around before. So, I think it’s really gotten to know, and it’s all about your teammates and coaches and made us appreciate this experience. each and every individual who’s touched your life.
Paige Bennett (LBSU) Jacqui Sjogren (Wagner) Shana our new coach this year has done amazing things for the team. Everyone’s got to realize that these moments will stay with you She’s really motivated us to work harder and work together—and even for the rest of your life, and these memories are going to be the since last Thursday she’s been messaging us all the time and making best of your life—so just really try to enjoy your time. To my sure everyone’s all right. Just stay together as a team; it’s how we’ve Wagner family I love you so much and don’t want to leave! been working through this and knowing we’re here for each other.
Megan Abarta (Indiana) Have fun and enjoy every moment. You don’t realize when it’s your last game. Just realize how good you have it when you have it—and notice #WPS en iorYea r the people around you. Also, your teammates and coaches want the best for you. Never forget it. usawaterpolo.org 21 FROM THE DECK USA WATER POLO BENEFITS OF PROPER STRETCHING
By Elizabeth Judge and Naresh Rao, DO, FAOASM
It’s a Wednesday night, and you’re stuck in traffic on your way to the pool. By the time you get on deck, you’re late. Your team is 200 yards into the warm-up swim set, and you have to jump in and get right to work. But the next morning, you wake up with shoulder and hip discomfort and regret skipping a proper warm up.
Your shoulder and hip pain may have been avoided It’s most beneficial to perform dynamic A few examples of dynamic stretches include: had you performed some simple stretches prior stretches rather than static stretches prior • LUNGE WITH A TWIST to diving in. Proper stretching has the power to to physical exertion. Dynamic stretches move significantly enhance your physical performance. your limbs through their range of motion and • WALK WITH KNEE GRAB In fact, preparing your muscles for exercise may work to increase their temperature and blood • FRONT KICKS WITH A TOE REACH flow. They prepare your muscles for movement lead to the following benefits: • ARM CIRCLES and high-level functioning. On the other hand, • INCREASED RANGE OF MOTION holding your muscles in static stretches may be • SHOULDER AND NECK ROLLS • INCREASED BLOOD FLOW TO MUSCLES detrimental toward their strength. Without any prior engagement, extending your muscles to While these dynamic stretches are great tools to • INCREASED MENTAL CLARITY their full length actually may result in unwanted engage your muscles before they work hard in the • LOWER RISK OF INJURY TO JOINTS, weakness when it comes time to play. Therefore, water, it’s important to take precautions while MUSCLES, AND TENDONS in order to maximize your physical performance performing them. If you’ve sustained an injury, be careful while stretching the affected area. Don’t • DECREASED SORENESS in the pool, dynamic stretches are recommended to best engage all of the muscles necessary for push or pull further into a stretch that causes But in order to reap these benefits, it’s important playing water polo. The sport involves all aspects pain. Listening to your body and preventing that you’re aware that not all stretches are of the body. Your hips are key players while you discomfort will help make each movement more created equal. There are two kinds of muscular tread water, and your quadriceps make battling meaningful. Being mindful of your body’s needs stretches that differ in how they’re performed as in set possible. Don’t forget that you need your will allow you to bring your game to the next well as how they benefit the human body. shoulders to be strong in order to sprint back on level. The first is a “dynamic” stretch because it a counter-attack, and your biceps and triceps are Dynamic stretching may be your team’s key to involves actively moving muscles without holding engaged with each pass and shot you fire. success this summer. Allow your body to reach them in an end position for a period of time. The Given the extensive engagement of multiple its peak performance by preparing it for the pool. second is a “static” stretch in which muscles are muscular groups that occurs during water polo Just a few minutes of active muscle engagement extended and held in one position for a length of play, a few minutes of pool preparation may be may be all it takes to break a team record or win time before returning to their relaxed state. beneficial. that last game. So get smart and get stretching!
22 FROM THE DECK OVERCOME INTERRUPTIONS TO PERFORMANCE WITH SELF-AWAR EN ESS Curiosity is one of the main catalysts to personal under high levels of stress, duress, and pres- sure, our natural styles emerge. If our natural growth. It’s important to be curious about the way things styles aren’t appropriate for the needs of work and the why behind your—and others’—actions. what we’re seeking to achieve in what we This is why as athletes we need to get really good at are doing in the pool, for example, then our performance suffers. Your natural style could asking ourselves great questions and pursuing the be correct—but with self-awareness we can answers through our actions. maximize our performance even more. If you were to explore different measures in behavioral styles and char- One of the best ways to examine your natural acteristics, you might find that some traits are connected to a version of style and adapted style would be to start a performance journal. You should hand write ourselves we know and think about—and another sits somewhere down under By Brian Alexander, the surface of what we know. This is consciousness and unconsciousness. in it after practices and games to explore ODP Mental Skills Coach When we think about what we know about ourselves and our behavior, we your interactions with others—as well as with really are only aware of the tip of the iceberg. There’s much more below the yourself—since handwriting improves retention much more than typing. Ask surface that impacts our decisions and actions. yourself how direct or indirect and how guarded or open your conversations were, as well as your comfort level when others acted along those lines. Did With this in mind, we need to understand how to work on our self-awareness you tend to avoid challenging conversations or explain things in a way that because we adapt our behavior in certain team environments and with was less on-topic and more focused on pleasing others? How often did you specific people to act in the way we think we are supposed to. However, look at the stands to see if your parents saw what you did? (CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE)
REFerendum BY LEVON DERMENDJIAN At the beginning of the year, a second wave of new FINA rules went If the player doesn’t pass, the player must put the ball in play without into effect. One of the new rules was making yourself “live” by visibly undue delay. This is similar to the interpretation for NCAA and NFHS putting the ball in play. rules. In other words, after picking up the ball, a player has a reason- Then a player may shoot and score from anywhere after one of the able amount of time, based on the referee’s discretion, to scan the field following occurs: of play to see who the player can pass to. If, after this scan, which shall be no more than 3 seconds, the player doesn’t pass or visibly put the 1. The foul and ball are outside of 6 meters; ball in play, referees must whistle a contra foul. 2. A corner throw; 3. The start or restart of the game outside of 6 meters (excluding a The reason it’s crucial for referees to enforce this rule is because the corner throw after a timeout). This includes the start of the period, defender must know when it’s permissible to attack the player—and after a goal, after a time out, and after the referee returns the ball to the by mandating that the ball should be visibly put into play, that lets the water outside of 6 meters. defender adequately defend a possible shot on goal. It also helps the timekeeper know when to start the clock after a foul. If the foul and/or ball are inside of 6 meters, or if the restart of play is inside of 6 meters (excluding a corner throw), the player must pass the If a player fakes a shot on goal after a foul, that isn’t an automatic ball before a goal can be scored. turnover. After completing the fake, the player must immediately pass the ball or put it in play. If the player doesn’t, the player runs the risk Due to this new rule, it’s become crucial for referees to enforce a rule of the referees whistling a turnover for not putting the ball in play in a that’s always been on the books, which is to visibly put the ball in play reasonable amount of time. after a foul. Examples of putting the ball in play include: Lastly, when putting the ball in play, there must be clear separation 1. Visibly tossing the ball upward out of the hand; with the ball, water, and hand. If a player merely touches the ball float- 2. Visibly dropping the ball on the water from a raised hand; ing on the water or fumbles the ball while attempting to pick it up, that 3. Tossing or dropping the ball in front of you before swimming; isn’t considered putting the ball in play. 4. Passing the ball Levon
usawaterpolo.org 23 FROM THE DECK USA WATER POLO
SHOOTING FOR COLLEGE BY ANGELA KRAUS AFTER THE SCANDAL: IMPACT ON COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC RECRUITING Nearly a year has passed since news broke of recruit), have been working together to verify the validity of academic records, standardized test scores, and athletic experiences and capabilities a college admissions scandal that co-opted the of prospective student-athletes. collegiate athletic recruiting process and In the current climate, aspiring student-athletes must establish their implicated and maligned “boutique sports,” bona-fide athletic credentials by developing their athletic profiles and including water polo. The scandal’s full scope— documenting and verifying that they have actually developed their and the consequences stemming from the athletic skills and participated in their sports at a high level. Increasingly important components of prospective student-athletes’ profiles include participants’ actions—are still unfolding. third-party sources, such as media articles and reports highlighting athletes’ accomplishments, appearances on verifiable rosters evidencing To date, dozens of offenders have pleaded guilty, lost or have been forced participation in high school and club sports programs, and receipt of to resign from their jobs—including from boards of directors and or other athletic awards or other forms of recognition. To be credible athletic- high-profile positions—and have been ordered to make restitution, pay recruiting prospects, aspiring student-athletes must cultivate athletic fines, and in some cases, serve time in jail. Others are still waiting to learn resumes that attest to or document actual athletic skills and experience— their fates. Many of those involved have sustained significant social costs in other words, proof that they really are elite student-athletes. The days as well. of hiring professional producers and videographers and sending coaches Colleges and universities impacted by the scandal have responded by privately commissioned “highlight reels” are long gone. carefully investigating what happened at their respective schools and The benefits of being academically and athletically prepared—coupled dismissing or imposing disciplinary measures on administrators, coaches, with an effective recruiting strategy and timeline developed with accurate and prospective, current, and former students who participated in the information under experienced guidance—cannot be overstated. To suc- schemes. To ensure the integrity of the athletic recruiting process going ceed, aspiring student-athletes must continue devoting countless hours of forward, whether their schools were touched by the scandal or not, many hard work and demonstrating unflinching dedication to their sport. With collegiate athletic departments have come up with policies and procedures the help and support of their parents and club and high school coaches, to protect their athletic recruiting processes from the possibility of future they must dedicate themselves daily to becoming the best they can be by abuse. To that end, prospective student-athletes are being vetted much working as hard as they can in the classroom and in the pool. And as they more thoroughly than in the past. Admissions and athletic department do so, aspiring student-athletes must uphold the honesty and integrity personnel have been examining players’ academic and athletic credentials of collegiate athletic recruiting by unequivocally abiding by the rules with greater and multiple levels of scrutiny. They, along with college which govern the process. Doing so will help enable them to realize and coaches (who are being held more accountable for the candidates they put maximize collegiate athletic recruiting opportunities.
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.
(CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE) A well-rounded team needs players with natural and adapted styles It’s important to be honest with yourself as some of this behavior is rooted composed of all behavioral profiles so none of this behavior is bad. It’s more in anxious thought processes. It takes acceptance and vulnerability to be important to understand within yourself and your teammates. When the honest with yourself and take action in the right way. Be objective with pressure rises—such as when a college or national team coach is watching yourself and emphasize growth and improvement. If it’s happening and you play—how do you use your awareness and plans to respond to boost your others tell you, but you have a tough time honestly accepting it, then play in that moment? How does emotional attachment to the opinions of perhaps you’re working from a protective state of mind that could people outside the pool interrupt your concentration on matters in the pool? interrupt your potential. How long will it take you to 100% engage again in the play? Ask yourself Brian Alexander, MA, CMPC, is a certified mental performance consultant with the association for applied sport psychol- these questions as you reflect in your performance journal. ogy and the official athlete mental skills coach of USA Water Polo ODP. He also is the mental coach for the USA Men’s national team. His private practice is based in San Diego, CA, and he works remotely with athletes at all levels and in all sports. Visit www.athletementalskillscoach.com to learn more.
24 To register, please visit malibuwaterpolocamp.com
Summer 2020: Session 1: June 15 - 19 Session 2: June 22 - 26 Session 3: July 6 - 10 Session 4: July 27 - 31
Holiday 2020 - Dec. 12-13th
Coached by Olympians Terry Schroeder and With special Merrill Moses appearance by Kami Craig
Terry Schroeder is a two-time Merrill Moses is a three-time Olympi- Kami Craig is a three-time Olympian, Olympic Head Coach, four-time an and silver medal winner, 2008. He 2008, 2012 and 2016, where she Olympian and captain of was named to the All World Team in brought home a silver medal and back-to-back silver medal teams in 2008 and he is a three-time Pan two golds. While at USC, she won the 1984 and 1988. He is considered to American Gold Medalist. He is 2010 NCAA National Championship be one of the greatest to ever play considered one of the best and was a two-time recipient of the the game. goalkeepers in the world. Pete Cutino Award.
Open to any and all, ages 8-19. One year polo experience suggested. For more information, email [email protected] or call 805.371.1495 LOB SHOTS USA WATER POLO SUPPORTER SPOTLIGHT: Doc Hofer Dr. Glenn Hofer knows a thing or two about promoting health 70+ exhibition matches were produced at USAWP Masters National and wellness as a radiologist for more than 20 years. So, it’ll Championships. Building upon his initiative, the National Championship come as no surprise he’s been just as invested in the long-term now has official and thriving 60+ and 65+ divisions. Doc’s influence remarkable robust growth of Masters water polo. reaches the international community having organized the first FINA Masters Championships 70+ exhibition competition in Montreal in 2014. As the competition featuring the sport’s most experienced athletes has grown, Doc Hofer has been there just about every step of the way. Still an active competitor and seemingly ageless—though Doc likes to say “aging gracelessly”—he’s played in all of the USAWP nationals since 2001. The development of Masters water polo over the last 25 years, including His teams include KAOS, Saudi Arabia’s Ras Tanura Masters Water Polo a Women’s division, has been greatly influenced by the efforts and and Social Club, Australia’s Perth Cockatoos, and BlueThunder Water commitment of Glenn “Doc” Hofer, M.D. standing on the shoulders of Polo in FINA Masters Championships—as well as having the honor and Bryan Weaver and the other founders of the Masters branch of the sport. privilege of coaching USA’s Gold medal-winning California Vintage Women’s 50+ team in FINA’s 2012 championships in Riccione, Italy. Doc Doc has worked continuously for more than two decades to build cofounded and ran Gold Country Masters Water Polo for a number of and expand the age range of Masters water polo nationally and years as well and was named USAWP Masters Athlete of the Year in 2013. internationally. After a 15-year hiatus from water polo to complete his medical training and start practicing medicine, Hofer returned in In addition to his work advancing Masters Water Polo, Doc is a leader 1996 and quickly made up for lost time. A member of USAWP Masters and exemplary ambassador for USA Water Polo and all levels of the Committee and then the Masters Advisory Committee since 2000, game. On more than one occasion, Doc has been called upon to perform he made the first motion to open Masters Nationals Championships professional medical services for athletes during championships. He was to women in 2001. Under Doc’s leadership, the first 60+, 65+, and one of three athlete-physician first responders from two countries during
2020 Winter High School Champions Congratulations to all the 2020 Winter High School Water Polo State Champions. For any additions or corrections please email media@ usawaterpolo.org. All Spring Champions, winners crowned from March 1 on will be highlighted in the Summer issue of SkipShot.
CALIFORNIA Photos via team social media accounts, CIF-SS, CIF-SDS and CIF-LACS CIF LA CITY SECTION GIRLS Birmingham 17 Palisades 16 CIF SOUTHERN SECTION GIRLS Div 1—Laguna Beach 7 Foothill 6 Div 2—Harvard Westlake 13 San Clemente 12 Div 3—Rosary 9 ML King 7 Div 4—La Serna 14 Glendora 12 Div 5—California 10 Costa Mesa 6 Div 6—Marina 6 Flintridge Prep 4 Div 7—La Salle 16 Rancho Mirage 6 CIF SAN DIEGO SECTION GIRLS Open—The Bishop’s School 10 Carlsbad 5 Div 1—Poway 16 Westview 11 Div 2—Mar Vista 10 La Costa Canyon 9 Div 3—Santa Fe Christian 7 Monte Vista 6 CIF STATE, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GIRLS Div 1—Laguna Beach 17 Bishop’s School 8 Div 2—San Clemente 8 Cathedral Catholic 7 Div 3—Mar Vista 14 Birmingham 9
IDAHO BOYS COEUR D’ALENE KROC 10 Boise 8 GIRLS COEUR D’ALENE KROC 17 Boise 10
26 LOB SHOTS
(Continued) SUPPORTER SPOTLIGHT Photo courtesy Mai Lam a medical crisis at the 2019 FINA World Masters Championship last summer in Gwangju, South Korea, and is ready to assist whenever needed. Doc celebrates the best in our sport by regularly attending recognition events, including the Hall of Fame Induction, National Awards Presentation, and Olympic Programs. Doc generously donates to USAWP, having given to USAWP’s ONE COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE from grassroots to Gold Medals Annual Fund every year since its 2010 inception.
Quite simply, the sport of water polo is better because of people like Doc Hofer. He’s never ceased working to make the sport—and all of the athletes associated with USAWP and his efforts—look and play better. Not to mention have more fun. He intends to set up the first 80+ Masters water polo exhibition matches and official national and international competition brackets.
As long as Doc is involved, you know Masters water polo will continue to move Doc Hofer has been an instrumental part of the Masters forward, continue to evolve, and continue to be a lot of fun! water polo community for several decades. Members, Families, And Friends Making A Difference USA Water Polo’s philanthropic program In addition to Senior National Teams, six funding the first ever Division III NCAA raised over $1.4M in 2019! Our 4,099 Pipeline Teams competed in International Championships. tournaments last year. generous community members and Join us in 2020 in continuing this momentum! foundations chose to make a difference Our needs are amplified as our Senior National in our sport! • Scholarships: We are proud to offer scholarships at all levels so water polo is Teams prepare for the upcoming Olympic Games and donor support is crucial. USA Water Polo does not receive government accessible to all who wish to participate. In 2019 USAWP awarded $115,040 in scholarships. funding. The US Olympic & Paralympic Along with our Annual Giving campaign, there Committee offers limited support through • Zone Grants: USAWP invested $22,890 in is an opportunity to support Team USA in their corporate sponsorships. Your gift helps us close grants across eight zones. quest to return to the podium at the Olympic the gap between membership revenue and the • Play Opportunity: USAWP increased Games in Tokyo! With an extended training cost of funding our National Teams, fostering period leading up to the Olympic Games, growth nationally, and executing the following play opportunity 6.1% in 2019 hosting and sanctioned 580 events and leagues. we will be working closely with our athletes important initiatives: to develop a new training and competition • Coach & Referee Development: $130,000 schedule. We are up for the challenge. Same • Excellence Within Our National Teams: was invested in coach and referee development goal, different date. GO USA!! Funding full-time training in preparation for in 2019. the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Summer 2020. Visit our website at www.usawaterpolo.org Sent Senior National Teams to 10 international • Strengthening & Growing the College Game: USA Water Polo maintains ongoing efforts to and click “GIVE BACK” or for more competitions, winning 7 medals along with information on philanthropic giving hosting exhibition games on home soil. encourage universities to adopt water polo as a varsity sport. A key 2019 initiative was hosting/ or volunteer opportunities, email Eva Padilla at [email protected].
usawaterpolo.org 27 Welcome to Skip Shot Magazineʼs KAP7 HOT SHOTS page, featuring shots from your fingertips. The person who submits each issueʼs best photo will receive a free Kap7 menʼs or womenʼs water polo ball. For more information on Kap7 visit www.kap7.com TAI HUYNH - WINNER // SPRING 2020
HONORABLE MENTIONS: 01 - Chris Berk 02 - Darren Yamashita 03 - Karin Gallagher 04 - Nora Witt 05 - Ronni McCarty 01 02 03 06 - Tom Marks
04 05 06
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 master- 28 pieces. 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. THE OFFICIAL SPONSOR OF
MAGGIE STEFFENS | 2X OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST AND USA WATER POLO NATIONAL TEAM CAPTAIN