Chlebicki headed for Pan Am Games

Mike Sciacca, Independent

Cara Chlebicki, a standout player at Marina High, survived two

recent tryout sessions and landed a spot on the U.S. Jr. National women’s

water polo team that will compete later this month at the 2000 Pan Am

Games in Venezuela.

Chlebicki, the Sunset League’s Most Valuable Player the past two years

and a three-time All-CIF Division I selection, leaves Friday for

Barquisimeto, Venezuela for the Games, which run Aug. 13-20.

“I’m really excited to have made the team, and even more excited to be

representing my country,” Chlebicki said. “It’s going to be a great

experience playing at a higher level and on the international scene.”

Chlebicki, a driver, joined nearly 150 other girls nationwide in early

July for a open tryout at the Naval Base Training Center in Los Alamitos.

Following a severe cut to just 25 players, Chlebicki was one of the lucky

few who were invited to participate in a second tryout.

“I was really nervous and worked very hard to make my way onto the

team,” Chlebicki said. “I believed in my abilities, and I gave it my all,

knowing that the competition was extremely tough.”

Chlebicki certainly was.

When the names were called for the 13-member team (there also are two

alternates), Chlebicki’s was included. To add to her drama, though, her’s

was one of the last names called.

“I was shocked,” she admitted. “I put forth everything I had during

the tryouts, and I was just hoping for the best outcome. There’s always

that doubt, but when my name was called, I wanted to scream.”

Chlebicki will enter her senior year at Marina this fall. She led the

Vikings this past year in goals scored as well as steals, and during her

freshman and sophomore years, the 17-year-old led the team in assists.

In addition to making the Jr. National women’s water polo team,

another career highlight for Chlebicki, who has been involved in swimming

since age seven, came during her freshman year, when she was the starting

driver on Marina’s CIF Division I championship team.

The U.S. Jr. National women’s water polo team began practice Tuesday

at the Naval Base, three days before departing for Venezuela.

“I cannot wait for the Pan Am Games,” she added. “It’s just an honor

to make the team and have the chance to represent the USA.”