Briefs: U.S. men’s water polo team loses to Croatia

All three UC Irvine alums on the USA men’s national water polo team and Corona del Mar High graduate John Mann scored in an 11-10 loss to Croatia in a semifinal game of the FINA World League Super Final Saturday at Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Jeff Powers netted two goals for the second straight game, while Ryan Bailey and Tim Hutten scored one apiece. Mann also scored a goal.

Powers scored on a blast into the top right corner to give the Americans a 4-3 lead after one quarter and the U.S. maintained a 7-6 margin at halftime.

Croatia capitalized on a hat-trick by Sandro Sukno in the fourth quarter to pull out the victory.

The U.S. faces Italy in the bronze medal match Sunday.

All three UCI alums earned multiple All-America honors with the ‘Eaters and they are expected to compete for Team USA at the London 2012 Olympics beginning next month.

Bailey is looking to play in his fourth Olympics, Powers his third and Hutten his second. Mann is seeking to make his debut in the Olympics.

— From staff reports

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Imani breaks own school record

UC Irvine’s Jessica Imani broke her own school record in the hammer throw with a mark of 166 feet, 11 inches at the USA Junior Track & Field Championships in Bloomington, Ind., Saturday.

Imani, who finished eighth overall, recently completed her freshman season at UCI.

The Corona del Mar High graduate broke her previous school mark of 165-2 that she recorded at the Big West Conference Championships May 12.

— From staff reports