{"id":323321,"date":"2018-08-03T08:00:11","date_gmt":"2018-08-03T15:00:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=323321"},"modified":"2018-08-04T11:53:31","modified_gmt":"2018-08-04T18:53:31","slug":"the-road-from-san-jose","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/the-road-from-san-jose\/","title":{"rendered":"The Way From San Jose: One View of the 2018 USA Water Polo Junior Olympics"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Michael Randazzo, Swimming World Correspondent<\/em><\/p>\n

BROOKLYN, NY. If it can be said that all politics are local, I would argue that all writing is personal. That is, both in motivation and intent, a writer\u2019s focus is on subjects near (and often dear) to his \/ her thinking.<\/p>\n

\"jo-logo\"<\/p>\n

Such was the case with your correspondent\u2019s coverage of the recent USA Water Polo National Junior Olympics<\/a> in San Jose. My two children competed in this event\u2014both in the 14U category\u2014so all of us experienced this gargantuan undertaking together. Therefore, my point of view was absolutely personal; so much so that\u2014after deciding I wouldn\u2019t write about either of my kids\u2019 teams\u2014I was forced (by common sense!) to acknowledge that it was journalistically acceptable to document Brooklyn boys and girls in California for their first-ever JOs.<\/p>\n

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Photo Courtesy: Catharyn Hayne<\/p><\/div>\n

I had many guides in this adventure, as the line<\/a> from Shakespeare\u2019s Othello, where Iago tells the Moor to \u201cWear your eyes thus\u201d might suggest. Partaking in days full of matches at a single location\u2014as opposed to the prospect of covering hundreds of matches in 38 pools all over the Bay Area\u2014provided an in-depth view of one of the world\u2019s largest youth tournaments. My goal was to faithfully report what I experienced; readers will judge my success at this task.<\/p>\n

California is polo-mad<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the East it\u2019s convenient to describe water polo out West as entirely different than the rest of the country, and the JOs certainly underscored this. Primarily an outdoor sport (though it turns out that Commerce Water Polo Club<\/a>\u2014among Los Angeles’ best\u2014plays in an indoor facility)\u2014the size and variety of outdoor pools in the Bay Area were impressive indeed. In fact, one of the primary take-aways from this trip was how logical it is for California to host JOs.<\/p>\n

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Photo Courtesy: Catharyn Hayne<\/p><\/div>\n

Not that other regions haven\u2019t tried; in years past, Michigan and Florida have hosted, but\u2014as Ed Reynolds<\/strong><\/a>, coach and board member for SOCAL Water Polo Club<\/a>, put it: \u201cWhat we\u2019re finding is that teams from Brooklyn and Michigan actually like to come out to California. They like the idea that the tournament is balanced between Southern and Northern California.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"viper-pigeons-jul18\"<\/p>\n

Logistically, hosting such a large event is taxing to the local economy, but it\u2019s also likely a boon. Based upon attendance at local sites as well as the various platinum finals on Days Four and Eight, there is unbelievable passion for polo throughout California.<\/p>\n

One indicator of this was the variety of RVs that families use to transport themselves around the state.\u00a0Lee<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Kristi Lapel<\/strong>\u00a0spoke<\/a> about how their mobile home functioned as a portable clubhouse for the Huntington Beach Water Polo Club<\/a>\u00a014U team their daughter Karly plays for. It was as if a trip 350 miles from their SoCal home is easily taken\u2014because it’s for the team.<\/p>\n

\"roses-jos-jul18\"

Everything’s coming up Rose Bowl. Photo Courtesy: M. Randazzo<\/p><\/div>\n

Another indicator was the variety of 2018 JOs shirts worn by parents and athletes. The shirts are clearly a fundraising tool, but it was at times overwhelming to see so many different shirts made just for this one tournament. A much-cited favorite was shirts emblazoned with logo of the Houston Viper Pigeons<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Of course, it is THE tournament water polo in America, and the passion of parents, players and coaches from around the country was nothing short of inspirational.<\/p>\n

You just got to be there!<\/strong><\/p>\n

In a 2016 interview,\u00a0Joe Linehan<\/strong><\/a>, then head of Dallas Thunder Water Polo, was adamant: go to JOs because it\u2019s such a great learning experience for kids who want to understand and be inspired by the sport.<\/p>\n

\"jos-day1-jul18-05\"

Mako Polo. Photo Courtesy: Jane Meyers<\/p><\/div>\n

Despite a great deal of skepticism from our New York City contingent, Linehan\u2019s encouragement turned out to be absolutely correct. For the Mako Polo Club<\/a>, based in New York City, boys from Brooklyn and Manhattan played seven games, winning two and absolutely changing attitudes about polo in the East and the West.<\/p>\n

Jane Meyer<\/strong>, mother to Alex Wolfson, was initially skeptical of the trip because her son\u2019s team hadn\u2019t earned a spot at regional qualifications, and therefore didn\u2019t deserve the Invitational berth that head coach Zoli Danko<\/strong> successfully lobbied for.<\/p>\n

\u201cI came reluctantly, because I was disappointed that we didn\u2019t make it [during qualifications].\u201d Meyer said on the tournament\u2019s third day. \u201cI thought there would be little value for the kids because it such a boondoggle.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was wrong!” she added. “We absolutely earned a spot here.”<\/p>\n

The Makos were in their element; they lost one match by 10 goals; their other four losses were each by three goals. The team was competitive in every one of those matches, finishing 8th out of 14 teams in the 14U Boys Invitational bracket.<\/p>\n

\"hustle-all-jos-jul18\"

Brooklyn Hustle. Photo Courtesy: Catharyn Hayne<\/p><\/div>\n

The other team I followed\u2014the Brooklyn Hustle<\/a> (full disclosure, your correspondent is club manager)\u2014experienced even more California success. Composed of players drawn from clubs all over the East Coast, the Hustle were able to secure a last-minute berth in the 14U Girls Classic Bracket. Like their Mako boy counterparts, the Brooklyn girls played well in a tournament-opening loss, but found their way to victory over a Menlo Park Maverick squad coached by four-time Olympian Brenda Villa<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Then, in one of those magical moments that make youth athletics so endearing, the Hustle went on a tear<\/a>, scoring a decisive victory over a Chelsea Piers Connecticut squad that had tormented them all season, and registering three wins in a single day at Cabrillo College pool\u2014without a doubt a high-point in these young players’ polo careers.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a family affair<\/strong><\/p>\n

The tournament was dotted with family stories. A conversation<\/a> with Steve Doten<\/strong>, commissioner of the WWPA, took place when his son Trey was playing for the Davis 16U boys in a Championship Bracket match at Valley Christian High School, beautifully situated in the San Jose Mountains.<\/p>\n

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Laurel Cooper and mom. Photo Courtesy: Catharyn Hayne<\/p><\/div>\n

Spied watching a 10U Boys Gold title match between South Bay United and American River was Adam Krikorian<\/strong><\/a>. Afterwards, the Head Coach for the U.S. Women\u2019s Senior National Team admitted he was in an entirely unfamiliar role: nervous dad. His son Jack was a member of South Bay United, which captured a 12-5 win over American River.<\/p>\n

Catharyn Hayne<\/strong>, a superb photographer who coordinated photos at all 38 sites while shooting hundreds of photos herself, also had skin in the game; her daughter Laurel Cooper won gold with 680 Drivers in a 12U Classic showdown with SET.<\/p>\n

\"everist-daughter-jos-jul18\"

Kirk and Keira Everist. Photo Courtesy: Catharyn Haynes<\/p><\/div>\n

And, in as touching a scene as can be imagined in all of sports, Kirk Everist<\/strong><\/a>\u2014Olympian, two-time NCAA champion as a player under legendary Cal Head Coach Pete Cutino, and current head coach of the Golden Bears, who he\u2019s led to three NCAA titles (2006, 2007, 2017)\u2014was captured by Hayne\u2019s lens congratulating his daughter Keira after playing in her first-ever JOs with the Lamorinda Water Polo Club 10U girls.<\/p>\n

Your correspondent’s children did provide many moments of personal pride, including one captured by the omnipresent Haynes; a goal against the Modesto Mustangs by daughter Genevieve.<\/p>\n

\"hustle-gr-jos-jul18\"

Genevieve Randazzo. Photo Courtesy: Catharyn Hayne<\/p><\/div>\n

Some folks take this all very seriously<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the end, there was a lot of great polo played, especially in the 16U and 18U brackets for boys and girls. The big winners<\/a> from the week were the Cozy Boys\u2014otherwise known as United Water Polo\u2014who won the 18U Platinum final over host Stanford Water Polo Club at the Avery Aquatic Center. In the 16U platinum boys final, SOCAL was supreme, but in a contest that had all the makings of a grudge match, Vanguard took a thrilling 11-10 decision over Los Angeles area rival SOCAL in the 14U Platinum final.<\/p>\n

In addition to that win, the fast-rising Vanguard club captured titles in 12U Boys Platinum, and 10U Coed, boosting their Platinum titles in the club\u2019s five years of existence to an astounding 11.<\/p>\n

\"vanguard-u12-boys-jos-jul18\"

Vanguard wins… again! Photo Courtesy: Catharyn Hayne<\/p><\/div>\n

In discussing<\/a> his club\u2019s remarkable success, Vanguard co-founder Sasa Branisavljevic<\/strong> cited the team concept that he and his coaches have instilled. A \u201cOne club, One heart\u201d mantra makes a great sound bite; the reality is that having some of the best age group players in the world makes all the difference.<\/p>\n

SOCAL captured the biggest prize on the women\u2019s side with an 8-5 win over 680 Drivers in the 18U Girls Platinum final. Laguna Beach, Pacific Coast Riptide, Shore Aquatics and SET were also Platinum winners on the girls side.<\/p>\n

\"golden-gate-jul18\"

It wasn’t ALL water polo. Photo Courtesy: G. Randazzo<\/p><\/div>\n

In reality, all who came out to California\u2014players, parents, grandparents, friends, coaches\u2014were winners. Marty Samuels<\/strong> of USA Water Polo<\/a>, who\u2019s in the past 18 years has seen his son Josh go from JO competitor, to Olympian, to coach for Vanguard, put it all succinctly (in a Brooklyn accent, no less).<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re here to have fun,” he said. “Even the losers have a good time.”<\/p>\n

Editor\u2019s Note: Swimming World is on the ground all week with stories and quotes from the 2018 USA Water Polo National Junior Olympics. Look for our coverage of the largest youth water polo tournament in the world. If you want to tune into all the action at Stanford\u2019s Avery Aquatics Center, check out FloSwimming\u2019s\u00a0link<\/a>\u00a0to the tournament; for pictures from various JO sites, visit this\u00a0link<\/a>\u00a0for KLC photos.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Michael Randazzo, Swimming World Correspondent BROOKLYN, NY. If it can be said that all politics are local, I would argue that all writing is personal. 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