In early July the Rain City water polo club sent a team to the Masters Nationals in Irvine, Calif. which finished 13th overall.
The team, which includes athletes ages 23 and 24, started the tournament off on Friday with a tough contest to the eventual third place finishers. The game remained close through the first half, and Rain City trailed in the third quarter by two goals.
Former Rain City coach Jonny Muir, helped the team by winning two sprints and scoring, while assistant coach Blake Van Hartesvelt, a MIHS alum, led the offense, scoring twice. International pulled away in the second half winning 13-6.
During the second day of the tournament, the Rain City squad faced Costa Mesa Water Polo club, which includes several Northwest players, Tim Hummel, a Bellevue grad, and Ben Easton, a MIHS grad. Costa Mesa won the game 15-11 and went on to take 11th in the tournament.
In the third game of the trip, Rain City played Praetorian. The game was tied at halftime, with Rain City edging away with a lead in the second half, to win 16-12.
In their last game of the tournament, the team beat International B 11-7. Goalie Teddy Trowbridge led the defense with 13 saves, one a 5-meter penalty shot.
The team’s 13th place finish is the club’s best in a national event during the club’s two year history.
“A special thanks to Eileen and Kelly Sterling as well as Ruth and Louis Jacobson who helped sponsor the team,” said Rain City Executive Director John Jacobson. “Without their support and that of the Rain City community these opportunities would be not available.”
Recap of masters national tournament can be found here. For a full list of game results and scores click here .