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Navy Quartet Competes for Spots on U.S. National Water Polo Team
ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Four Navy water
polo players traveled to California last weekend in hopes of
landing a spot on the U.S. National Team through tryouts organized
through USA Water Polo. The progressive program allowed the
Navy players to compete against the country's top players, both
collegiately and professionally. Freshmen Kyle
Wertz (San Diego, Calif./Westlake) and
Conor Handley (Naperville, Ill./Naperville
North) and seniors Kevin Bell (Naperville,
Ill./Naperville Central) and Johnny Meiners (Ft.
Lauderdale, Fla./Cardinal Gibbons) competed during the
weekend.
Athletes from all over the country descended upon Santa Ana Valley
High School in Southern California for the opening round of the USA
Water Polo Men's National Team Tryout Program. A progressive
program that will eventually determine athletes on the Men's Senior
National "A" and "B" Teams as well as help determine the rosters
for the FINA World Championships and World University Games this
summer, athletes were placed on squads based on geographic location
to take part in a host of matches over the weekend.
"I thought the event this weekend was very beneficial to be able
to play with the best players in the country. For myself it was
sort of a trip down memory lane because I have been playing with
these kids my whole life and it was nice to be able to play with
them," said Navy freshman All-American Kyle Wertz. "I believe that
it would be definitely be beneficial to the program, because not
all the players on the team have been fortunate enough to be able
to play with the outstanding players as much as I have. Overall, I
believe this trip was a positive one."
"As a zone team, the weekend went a little rough, but I think that
the Navy players played pretty well throughout the four games,
especially since we were playing the best players at the collegiate
level," said Navy freshman Conor Handley. "Personally the trip was
very eye-opening for me after not seeing much game time this
fall."
The program replaced the traditional Premier League from past
years, a move necessary due to NCAA regulations. The program will
reduce the number of athletes over the coming weeks to 80 athletes
for the second round, 60 athletes for the third round with eventual
selection of the "A" and "B" teams.
Navy is coming off its third straight Eastern title and
NCAA Tournament appearance and recorded a 20-11 mark in 2008.
Head coach Mike Schofield will welcome back 10 letterwinners from
the team in the fall of 2009. The team will begin their spring
practices and schedule in a couple of weeks.
Release courtesy Navy Athletic Communications
