CdM, Newport clubs open Junior Olympics

The S&R; Sport USA Water Polo National Junior Olympics, believed to be the largest water polo tournament in the world, will be hitting pools across Orange County this weekend.

The boys’ tournament begins today and continues through Tuesday.

The girls’ tournament begins on Thursday.

There are 361 combined teams between both genders.

Newport Water Polo Foundation will have four boys’ teams in the mix, Coach Jason Lynch said, one each in the 18-and-under, 16-and-under, 14-and-under and 12-and-under fields. The 18-and-under team features Newport Harbor High players who will likely play varsity for the Sailors this season, while the 16-and-under, coached by Brian Melstrom, is mostly frosh-soph players.

Last year, the 18-and-under team finished ninth at the Junior Olympics in San Jose; Lynch said each Newport team finished in the top 10. Although many of the top players from last year’s CIF Southern Section Division I championship team graduated, players like Andy Hayes and David Linden will be seniors.

“We’re a club team that basically is unique to our community,” Lynch said. “Our goal every year is to try to compete with these super clubs, all-star teams basically. We take a lot of pride in that.”

Corona del Mar High counters with the Coast Water Polo Club, made up mostly of CdM kids. Coast has two teams in the tournament, in the 18-and-under and 16-and-under fields, respectively.

The 16-and-under team, which features returning Corona del Mar High varsity standouts Max Bergeson, Isle Anderson and Michael Liao, is the top seed in a 48-team field.

Corona del Mar High Coach Barry O’Dea said he’s not coaching the club teams, although he will be a spectator this weekend. Coast coaches are Andy Coffman, who is the assistant women’s water polo coach at his alma mater, UC Irvine, and fellow former Anteaters men’s star Colin Mello.

Each boys’ division has 48 teams, made up of 16 three-team pools.

After today’s games, the teams will be split into the higher-level Platinum Division and the Gold Division. Games in each division will play out to 24 places, which is new this year.

“That should heighten the competition throughout the week,” Lynch said. “The quality of play should go up.”

Newport Harbor High is also one of the host pools for the event.

— Matt Szabo