2006 Speedo Water Polo Cup Kicks Off

COLUMBIA, Missouri, November 10. – THE 2006 Speedo Cup kicked-off today in Columbia, Mo., on the campus of the University of Missouri. The boy's side of things started at 8 a.m. this morning in the Mizzou Aquatic Center of the Student Recreation Complex. Teams from California, Washington, Texas, Florida, Illinois and Connecticut took to the pool, in hopes of winning this year's title.

Tustin, CA was last year's winner for the boys. As a club, Tustin has won the Speedo Cup 8 out the last 13 years. They are trying to push that number to nine after a strong showing on day 1.

"I've informed the team of our clubs history," said Tustin Head Coach Mustafa Hassan. "Every year the team changes and this team is no different because we have a lot of new kids who are new to this type of experience."

Standing in their way are 11 other teams, trying to dethrone them from possibly winning their sixth straight title.

"We've always done well with our preparation," said Hassan. "No game is ever easy, but you have to believe that you're going to win."

One team learned first hand today that each game is a battle. Greenwich, CT. won their first game of the day defeating Baytown, TX, 15-1. The second game matched them up against a tough San Diego, CA. team which was one of the most intriguing games of the day. Greenwich played tough, but ran out of gas in the second half. The game was tied, 6-6 at half-time, but in the second half, San Diego took over the game and held Greenwich to only two second half goals.

"The biggest thing for us is getting everybody together and playing really good competition," said Greenwich Head Coach Robert Bates. "We have a lot of new players on the team, but the number one thing we need to do is play great defense."

Like Greenwich, Oak Park, IL is here at the Speedo Cup to learn and learn some more.

"The thing I told the kids before the game this morning was to learn a lot about polo this weekend," said Oak Park Head Coach James Lock. "Playing at the Speedo Cup gives us the chance to play and get roughed up a little, but really it's all about the kids."

Day 2 for the boys starts Saturday, November 11 at 8 a.m. The girls also hit the pool on Saturday and are slated to begin competition at 9:40 a.m., with Baytown, TX vs. Commerce, CA.

Boys Day 1 Standings

Aliso Viejo, CA 2-0
San Diego, CA 2-0
Santa Barbra, CA 2-0
Stanford, CA 2-0

Sammamish, WA 1-1
Greenwich, CT 1-1
Tustin, CA 1-1
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 1-1

Chicago, IL 0-2
Baytown, TX 0-2
Clovis, CA 0-2
Oak Park, IL 0-2

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