Golden West team wins national title

The Golden West 18-and-under girls’ water polo team won eight games

to complete an unbeaten run in winning its division national

championship at the Junior Olympics held last weekend at Fort

Lauderdale, Fla.

Playing in what was deemed the toughest bracket in the tournament,

one that featured four of the nation’s top club teams, Golden West

opened pool play with easy victories over East Bay, 18-3, and Florida

Coast, 20-3.

During the second day of play, Golden West downed Golden Bear,

10-2, Long Beach Viking, 12-5, and Stanford Water Polo, 10-5.

That win set up a match against a strong SoCal squad, which Golden

West defeated, 4-3.

Coach John Wright’s team then handed last year’s tournament

runner-up, San Diego Shore, a 6-4 setback.

Golden West completed its impressive tournament run with a 5-3

triumph over Corona del Mar to win the national championship.

The tournament was played in stormy weather conditions.

“This team is very deserving of this award,” Wright said. “They

are reaping the rewards of their commitment and selfless play. We

came prepared and took each game at a time.

“The girls met the challenge of difficult playing conditions and

very tough opponents. I am very proud of them.”

The Golden West 18-and-under water polo club team is composed of

Caitlin O’Connor, Carolyn Conway, Monique Blanchard, Jackie Gauthier;

Addison Doud, Julia Fancher, Mary Chatigny, Ashley Rothweiler, Alison

Riddle, Jenna Schuster, Samantha Sears, Brianne Anderson, Laura

Simanonok.