The South Coast Water Polo Club’s 16U girls team captured the gold medal at last weekend’s California State Games water polo tournament. The team, comprised of players from Eastlake, Olympian, Otay Ranch, Mar Vista and Hilltop high schools, finished 4-0 in competition with victories against East County Polo, La Jolla, Del Mar (in the semifinals) and Coronado (10-4 in the finals).
Players who participated included Mildred Monsivias, Samantha Kimmel, Caitlyn Torres, Sarah Carr, Isabelle Hastings, Maren Lechner, Jenna Kruse, Karina Espinoza, Daniela Diaz, Summer Chalmers, Sierra Larson, Aleigha Fisher, Adriana Meza and Alexis Holst.
Coaches include David Chalmers and Chad Kavanagh and head coach Ernie Medina .
The South Coast 16U boys team finished 2-2 in State Games competition, defeating Nighthawk Polo (14-4) and Poway Polo (11-4) with losses to San Miguel Bishops (4-3) and Corona (11-4).
Boys who participated were from Mar Vista, Hilltop, Otay, Olympian, Southwest and San Ysidro high schools.
The South Coast club enters its final week of play in the East County Summer League.
On Monday, the South Coast 16U girls red team finished summer league action 5-0 after defeating Water Dawg (Helix) by a score of 11-4 while the South Coast 16U girls blue team defeated ECA (Grossmont) by a score of 7-4 to finish third in the division standings.
The South Coast 18U girls team wrapped up summer league play last week with an undefeated 5-0 record following wins over ECA Grossmont (13-4), 94Polo (11-1), RSD Valhalla (8-5), Cowboy (15-3) and ECA Grossmont (10-4).
The South Coast 16U and 18U boys teams also have an opportunity to go undefeated in summer league play with victories in their final games.
The South Coast 16U boys play the Norse 16s (Valhalla) on Wednesday (6:40 p.m. at El Capitan High School) while the South Coast 18U boys play the Norse 18s (Valhalla) on Thursday (8:15 p.m. at El Capitan High School).
“Both games will be competitive,” Medina said.
The South Coast WPC head coach said the club has achieved its goals for the summer.
“The South Coast Water Polo Club has done very well this summer,” Medina explained. “The program has attained its goals this season in more ways than one. Not only have we succeeded in scoring goals, but we have brought coaches and athletes together in the South Bay area to teach strong fundamentals of water polo and encourage positive life skills. We believe that in order to bring up the level of water polo up in the South Bay that we need to work together in educating coaches, parents, and athletes in water polo, college opportunities and life skills.
“We have members from Imperial Beach, Chula Vista, San Ysidro and even East County. We have very supportive parents and community. Coaches from area high school have become members and assist in working with South Coast Water Polo.”
Besides Medina (Hilltop), other high school coaches who have become involved with the SC program include Chad Kavanagh (Mar Vista), Jeff Kruse (Mater Dei Catholic), David Chalmers Mar Vista), Stuart Sokil (Eastlake) and Luis Medrano (Otay Ranch).
“All work with the kids with the goal of making South Bay athletes better,” Medina said. “We also offer camps, clinics, tournaments, leagues, parent 101 and coaches SC club certification.”
South Coast Water Polo Club 2015 Results
Boys Winter League: 16U, second place
Boys Winter League: 18U second place
Girls Spring League: 16U first place
Girls Spring League: 18U first place
Boys Spring League: 16U first place
Boys Spring League: 18U first place
Team Tiki Tournament Series: boys and girls champions
Inaugural “Big Papu” Tournament: boys and girls winners
2015 Cal State Games: 16U girls champions
2015 EC Summer League: 18U girls winner
2015 EC Summer League: 16U girls winner
2015 EC Summer League: 16U boys winner
College prospects
•Isabelle Hastings (senior, Mar Vista High School), South Coast 16U and 18U, Whittier College
•Emilio Maldonado (senior, Hilltop High School), South Coast 18U, Whittier College, UC San Diego, Pomona Pitzer, Brown
