On May 8-9 in Austin, TX at the UT Swim Center, The Southwest Zone Olympic Development Program Camp...
...provided an opportunity for Born-In 92U athletes to train in the “American Style of Water Polo”. USA Water Polo Olympic Development Program (ODP Head Coaches James Lathrope (Boys) and Kim Everist (Girls) in partnership with the Southwest Zone Coaches traveled to Austin to work with the athletes in 12 hours of training over the two day period. All of the athletes challenged themselves, made new friends and enjoyed all of the activities. Many of the athletes have been invited to participate in the next phase of the Southwest Zone ODP which will begin in the Fall of 2010.
In addition, a few Southwest Zone athletes in various age groups/genders have been invited to participate in the USA Water Polo National Team Selection Camps (NTSC) this summer in Southern California the weekend of June 25-28. Robert Sutherland (Denton-Ryan HS/Dallas WPC) and Madison Pepper (Ross Sterling HS/Dirty Bay WPC) were selected to represent the Southwest Zone at their respective genders Born-In 92U NTSC in June/July. For the Boys Born-In 94U, Liam Jennis (Strake Jesuit Prep/Dirty Bay WPC) and Nate Zuicker (Strake Jesuit Prep/Dirty Bay WPC) will represent the Southwest Zone while the girls for the same age group are Taylor Silva (Clear Lake HS/Dirty Bay WPC) and Kaci New (Ross Sterling HS/Dirty Bay WPC).
From the Born-In 92U NTSC (75-85 athletes total competing nationally), 24-28 athletes will be selected to represent USA Water Polo at various international competitions and training throughout the year. Additionally, 16-24 Born-In 93 athletes will be selected for additional training in 2010-2011. From the Born-In 94U NTSC (85-100 total athletes competing nationally), there will be a group of athletes selected for further training with the National Team in the Fall of 2010 with potential summer travel in 2011.
Additionally, the Southwest Zone Head Referee, JT Wall, earned the "Top Referee" award at last month's Boys East/West ODP Regional Tournament. Working with multiple officials from each of the Mountain, Midwest, Northeast, and Southeast Zones, JT was recognized for this award based on his officiating performance over the course of the ODP Regional Tournament. The USA Water Polo Olympic Development Program was created to identify, select and grow the top athletic, coaching, and referee talent in the USA Water Polo system and this year's inaugural ODP Regional Championships were established to become a premier annual event in the USA.