The Under-12 Girls team from the Huntington Beach Water Polo Club was crowned as the national champions at this year’s Junior Olympic tournament.
The Under-12 Girls team from the Huntington Beach Water Polo Club was crowned as the national champions at this year’s Junior Olympic tournament.
The tournament took place throughout the San Jose and Palo Alto area from July 28-31, and the final rounds of the tournament took place at Stanford University’s pristine Avery Aquatic Center. While most of the team lives in Huntington Beach, two of these fierce competitors hail from Rossmoor; Lindsey Harris and Ashley Heeren. Both girls attend Oak middle school and plan on bringing their talents to Los Alamitos High School’s women water polo team in the near future.
Harris and Heeren’s efforts helped to lead their team to JO Gold. The 12 and under team went undefeated throughout the entire contest, defeating clubs such as Orange County, Royal (from Fresno), Backbay (from Newport Beach), Foothill, Laguna Beach, and SoCal.
The championship game against SoCal Water Polo Club ended with a score of 7-3.
Harris provided multiple key assists from the set, while Heeren contributed 3 goals that game. Coach Jason Mills provided tremendous insight and guidance to his players, but credits the gold medal to their collective effort to work hard and improve every day.
Keep an eye out for the Girl’s U-14 HBWPC in the upcoming years as the majority of the U-12 team is moving up together.