Local athletes compete at Junior Olympics water polo

A pair of former players and one current Auburn Mountainview boys water polo player competed at the USA National Junior Olympics in Orange County, Calif., this past week.

Reporter staff

A pair of former players and one current Auburn Mountainview boys water polo player competed at the USA National Junior Olympics in Orange County, Calif., this past week.

In the 18U championship division, the Pierce County squad, featuring alumni Tyler Arnold and Jonah Kathlean, finished 20th overall, going 1-6 against tough national competition.

The Pierce County team earned its sole win against the Miami Riptides, 7-3. The team finished with a 15-6 loss to Houston’s Viper Pigeon Southeast.

The Santa Barbara Polo Pals won the division title with a 7-6 win over Los Angeles Premiere.

Auburn Mountainview’s Alex Toney also played for Pierce County in the 16U Invitational division.

The 16Us, which finished 1-6 and 11th in the division, beat regional rival Puget Sound Polo B in its final game this past Tuesday. The teams finished regulation tied at 9-9 before Pierce County prevailed in a 3-2 shootout.

Los Angeles’ Trojan Water Polo Gold B team captured the title with a 9-8 win over Corona Del Mar White B.