Jackson, Speer move on to next level

Newport Harbor High senior Katie Jackson has committed to play water polo at UC Davis, the Aggies’ athletic department recently announced.

Jackson, a first-team All-Sunset League selection, scored 37 goals with 33 assists and 32 steals to help the Sailors post a 24-6 record and reach the CIF Southern Section Division I title game this past season.

Jackson, also a standout swimmer, earned second-team all-league honors in water polo as ajunior.

“You can’t go wrong getting someone from Newport Harbor,” UC Davis Coach Jamey Wright said in a release. “What Mater Dei and De La Salle are to football, Newport Harbor is to water polo. That’s really the way it is. Her coach, Bill Barnett, was the men’s Olympic coach in 1984 and 1988. His players are tough, they’re in shape, they know where to go and what to do. So Katie brings a tremendous amount coming from that program.

“Katie knows where to go on counterattacks, which is a big part of what we do. She’s a speedy player who will wear out opponents.”

UC Davis finished its 2010 season with a 16-17 record and a No. 17 ranking in the April 28 national coaches’ poll.

— From staff reports

Speer to 49ers

Costa Mesa High senior Hannah Speer will continue her water polo career at Long Beach State, Mustangs Coach Tim Postiff said Tuesday.

Speer, the Mustangs’ team MVP the last two seasons, chose the 49ers over Cal State Northridge and Whittier College.

She was a first-team All-Orange Coast League performer in water polo the last two seasons, and was a second-team all-league pick as a sophomore, the first of her three varsity seasons.

She made the Newport-Mesa Dream Team as a junior, when she recorded 43 goals, 84 steals and 11 assists as the Mustangs’ primary two-meter defender.

Speer is also a standout swimmer. She owns the school record in the 100-yard breaststroke and finished eighth at the CIF Southern Section Division III finals and second at league finals in that event as a junior. She was third in the 200 individual medley at league finals last season.

— Barry Faulkner