Newport teams excel on first day

SAN JOSE — Newport Water Polo Foundation teams went undefeated Thursday on the first day of the girls’ S&R; Sport Junior Olympics Water Polo Championships.

The under-18 girls’ team defeated Southeast, 17-1, before getting past Viking, 7-4. The NWPF under-18 girls, who earned first place in their three-team pool, play Santa Barbara Water Polo Club today at 8:50 a.m.

The under-16 girls got past the COLA team, 8-7, before topping Diablo B, 8-2. Newport plays Carlsbad today at 10:30 a.m.

For the NWPF under-14 and under-12 teams, the day was even easier.

The under-14s beat Lodi, 16-2, before topping San Diego Shores by the same score. They play Diablo, of Northern California, today at 9:40 a.m. in their final pool play game.

Diablo also went 2-0 on the first day.

“That’ll be a good game,” Newport under-14s Coach Rob Williams said. “We’ll have two really tough games [today].”

He added that Kailyn Obenauer and Presley Pender scored many of Newport’s goals during day one of the tournament.

The NWPF under-12s blasted the SJA team, 22-3, and had a bye in their second game Thursday. They play Commerce today at 11:20 a.m. in their final pool play game.

Williams said Elissia Schilling stood out with her strong play for the Newport 12s.

Each team will have a second game today, with the time and location dependant on how they do in the first game.

— Matt Szabo