Sailors say injury was intentional

jorth-followupNewport Harbor coach says Sailors star was kicked deliberately in El Toro game. Chargers officials disagree.When Newport Harbor High water polo player Clinton Jorth suffered facial fractures in an incident during an Oct. 25 game against El Toro, it cost the Sailors one of their top players.

After seeing videotape of the incident, a group of players, team parents and coaches say it was no accident.

A number of Newport Harbor parents, players and coaches who either watched the game in person or a tape of the game said Jorth was intentionally kicked multiple times by a Chargers player.

“When you look at the tape, it’s hard not to think that [it was intentional],” Newport Harbor Coach Jason Lynch said.

Neither Lynch nor El Toro Athletic Director John Johansen would identify the Chargers player involved.

Officials at El Toro said they were not convinced there was any malice involved.

“After we reviewed the tape, we didn’t feel there was evidence to say it was intentional,” El Toro Boys’ Athletic Director John Johansen said.

Johansen said the incident occurred when there was a whistle, a change of possession and the Chargers started to go back on defense.

“Our player hit the Newport player in the face when he was trying to kick away,” Johansen said.

Clay Jorth, the older brother of Clinton Jorth, said that if there was any question about whether or not Jorth was kicked intentionally, it was answered by the tape.

“The tape shows he kicked him three or four times,” said Clinton Jorth’s older brother, Clay Jorth, who had four goals in the game. “You could just tell it was intentional.”

Bob Eakin, the father of Newport Harbor water polo player Justin Eakin, was in attendance at the match and said he saw the El Toro player lift his feet out of the water and kick Jorth with his heel three times.

“That was horrible,” Bob Eakin said. “Anyone who was on the pool deck saw it happen. It was so obvious.”

Since El Toro officials believe it was an accident, the Chargers player involved has not been reprimanded aside from sitting out a game last week when the teams met in the TruWest Memorial Cup Invitational in San Jose.

“El Toro says it was accidental, and we have our own opinion,” Lynch said.

Jorth has been evaluated by three doctors. Lynch said there are differing opinions about whether or not the Newport Harbor sophomore will need surgery.

“There are conflicting reports,” Lynch said. “He saw a third doctor Tuesday who said he doesn’t need surgery. He’s doing better, he’s in less pain and the numbing is going down, but he’s definitely done for the season.”

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