The South Coast Water Polo Club has kicked off its spring season with a 10-under coed team, 12-under coed team, 14-under girls, 14-under boys, 16-under girls, 16-under boys, 18-under girls and 18-under boys teams.
The club’s 16U team recorded first- and second-place finishes at the Rancho San Diego Club Winter water polo series tournaments.
South Coast defeated the Southbay Eastlake, Norse and Pt. Loma Maroon clubs to post its first-place finish while recording its second-place finish with wins over Norse and South County Grossmont and a loss to the Fallbrook Tribe.
South Coast’s 17U team recorded two second-place tournament finishes with wins over Norse, Point Loma and Grossmont and a pair of losses to Norse.
“Our boys are preparing to play in the Spring Club Tournament in April,” South Coast program director Ernie Medina said. “We will also kick off the second annual Tiki tournament series in May and host the second annual “Big Papu” Memorial Tournament in June.”
Medina added that the South Coast club started its girls club program and has plans to participate in San Diego and East County tournaments for spring and summer.
Last summer, South Coast’s 16U girls team won the California State Games with its 16U boys team placing fourth.
Medina noted South Coast will send boys teams and girls teams in the 14U, 16U and 18U divisions to compete in July’s upcoming State Games tournament.
The South Coast 12U program will host the Vista Stars this Saturday at the Mar Vista High School pool from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. The South County 12U team will travel to South County Grossmont and host the Rancho Buena Vista club in April.
South Coast is a community water polo club and reaches from Imperial Beach throughout Chula Vista representing the following area schools: Eastlake, Otay Ranch, Olympian, Hilltop, Mar Vista, Southwest and San Ysidro.
“We started working with South Bay area kids last year with the intention to educate and raise the level of water polo in our area,” Medina explained. “I think we have proof this club works. We have members on our club who went back to their high schools and played well for their high schools.
“My vision is to continue to provide a good program for our community. If you live here, train here.”
There are approximately 55,000 registered American Water Polo and United States Water Polo players.
“I realize that water polo is not for everyone, but the ones who choose polo can be fortunate to have coaches who want their community and schools to have a good opportunity to learn, train and play,” Medina explained.
“I think we have seen a difference in the South Bay area with the kids who play polo and you will continue to see more competitive players come out of this area thanks to programs like South Coast.”
For more information, contact coacherniemedina@gmail.com.
