Senior Nationals feature the elite, starting today at CdM
Steve Virgen
There are two reasons why the Newport Harbor Water Polo Foundation
‘A’ team will have a viable chance to win the Senior National
Tournament, which starts today and ends Sunday at Corona del Mar and
Newport Harbor High Schools.
Reason No. 1: Ryan Bailey. Reason No. 2: Jeff Powers.
Legendary UC Irvine men’s water polo coach Ted Newland, who also
heads the Newport A squad, has tabbed Bailey and Powers as the
nation’s best two-meter men. The duo, will no doubt, be among the
elite at the Senior Nationals, which features 16 of the nation’s top
club teams, including New York Athletic Club, the tourney’s defending
champion.
Newport’s first game is today at 9 a.m. against Paradise Water
Polo Club. Newport, which possesses six U.S. National team members
including Bailey and Powers, will also face Lion Club at 2 p.m. Both
games are among the 12 of the day that will be at CdM. The
championship game will be Sunday at 3:15 p.m. at CdM.
“We have the best two two-meter men in the nation,” said Newland,
who will also coach Newport’s B team, which is made up of mostly
current UCI players. “With Bailey, it’s like having (Shaquille)
O’Neal on your team. Basketball is like water polo in that if you
have a dominant center, like a two-meter man, you’re not going to be
stopped. This is why the Lakers have won three in a row. We should be
very strong in the Nationals. Powers will be ready, too.”
Powers, a prolific 6-foot-6, 225-pound two-meter man who will be a
senior at UCI in the fall, aptly complements Bailey, who is 6-6, 245.
Bailey, just as all but one player of the Newport A team, has played
for Irvine under Newland. Newport’s sense of brotherhood will be yet
another formidable weapon.
“They really enjoy playing as a team,” Newland said. “They have a
real close bond. That’s the biggest reason our team is better than
other teams.”
Newport’s defense is led by goalie Genai Kerr, a UCI product who
also coaches the water polo teams at Sage Hill. Kerr is also a member
of the U.S. National team.
Newland’s Newport Harbor WPF B team could have included Powers,
but Newland moved him up, “with the big boys.” The Newport B squad
features 6-8 two-meter man Dreason Barry, who will be a sophomore for
the Anteaters in the fall. Another UCI heavyweight is Corona del Mar
High product Garrett Gentry.
The Senior Nationals will also include Stanford Water Polo Club,
which will be coached by former CdM Coach John Vargas.
Additionally, the Bruin Water Polo Club includes Corona del Mar
High products Garrett Bowlus and Michael March, Newport Harbor High
product Peter Belden and a very familiar face in Newport waters,
University High’s Teddy Peck.
From Sunset of San Diego is Newport Harbor product Steven
Jendrusina and from Paradise Water Polo Club is Corona del Mar High
product Sherwin Kim.
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