College Station —
On June 6, the Southwest Water Polo Zone held its tournament to determine who would represent the Southwest in the National Junior Olympics this summer in Los Angeles, California. Rockwall had 21 youth players made the final cuts. Of the 21 players who qualified, there will be 13 players making the trip. The National Junior Olympics Water Polo Tournament is the largest water polo tournament in the world with over 600 teams competing this year. The Rockwall area players will be represented on six of those teams.
The boy’s tournament begins July 31 and runs through Aug. 3. The Rockwall boys will be playing with the Dallas Water Polo Club on four different age group teams. Playing for the 12-and-under team will be Alex Rodriguez, Mitchell Eldridge and Saxon Foster. Playing for the 14-and-under boy’s team will be Reace Foster, Evan Scown and Eliseo Villarreal. Playing for the 16-and-under boy’s team will be Nathan Eldridge and Luke Phillips. Playing for the 18-and-under boys will be Jonathan Walters.
The girl’s tournament begins Aug. 5 and runs through Aug. 8. The Rockwall girls will be playing on two different Dallas Water Polo Clubs. Representing the 12-and-under girls team will be Araeli Villarreal. Representing the 16-and-under girls will be Raena Eldridge, Jordan Hummingbird and Summer Scown.
Rockwall Youth team coach Andres Rodriguez was ecstatic about the number of players represented by Rockwall. When asked why the interest in Rockwall has grown, Rodriguez said, “Water Polo is just a great sport that brings the elements of ball and team to an aquatic environment.”
As for the improvement of the kids, Andres believes the kids have a much better sense for the game. “Their understanding of the game is allowing them to add their own creative touches, finishing plays in ways that will throw a coach off his chair.” The kids are hoping to show that form to teams from across the United States.
Sports
Related Photos
-
Taking a break from competition is (left to right) Reace Foster, Jordan Hummingbird, Alex Rodriguez, Mitchell Eldridge, Eliseo Villarreal, Coach Andres Rodriguez, Saxon Foster, Araeli Villarreal and Evan Scown. These athletes are part of the large Rockwall contingent that will be competing in the water polo Junior Olympic event in California beginning July 31. Courtesy photo
Discussion
Local athletes qualify for JO in water polo
- Sports
-
-
Wrestlers set for district with dual wins
Rockwall and Rockwall-Heath wrestling teams won duals against Highland Park and Plano last Thursday in final preps for the District 19-4A Championship in Henderson on Saturday.
-
Lady Jackets clinch district title
Rockwall’s Lady Jackets rolled over Wylie East 59-30 on Tuesday and clinched the District 10-4A championship in the process, thanks to a loss by second-place McKinney North.
-
Jackets stay in playoff hunt
Rockwall’s Yellowjackets took a giant step toward the hoops playoffs with a 55-47 win over Wylie East on Tuesday at RHS gymnasium.
-
RHS gymnasts knock off Highland Park
Rockwall’s defending state-champion girls gymnastics team defeated Highland Park 111.700-99.650 and the boys team bested HP 144.100-134.900 in a dual meet at the RHS gymnastics gym last Thursday.
-
RHS wrestlers win Outback championship
Rockwall’s wrestling team won its third invitational championship of the season on Saturday when the Jackets took the title at the Outback Invitational Tournament in Weatherford.
-
Soccer Jackets stay undefeated
The Rockwall boys soccer team kept its undefeated streak running at 7-0-1 after posting two wins and a tie at the Garland ISD Invitational Tournament last weekend at Homer B. Johnson and Williams Stadiums.
-
Heath takes third at Ranger Classic
Rockwall-Heath’s wrestling team finished third, despite missing five starters, at the highly-regarded Ranger Classic at Dallas Jesuit High School last weekend.
-
Lady Jackets build two-game district lead
Rockwall’s No. 3 area-ranked Lady Jackets distanced themselves from a close battle for District 10-4A playoff berths by taking a 2-game lead with four games left in regular-season play.
-
RHS hoopsters split, but fall in standings
Rockwall’s boys hoops team fell from a fourth-place tie to fifth place in the District 10-4A standings despite splitting games against Richardson Pearce and Highland Park over the last week.
-
RHS girls top 10-4A hoops standings
Rockwall’s No. 3 area-ranked girls basketball team took over sole possession of the top spot in the District 10-4A standings with wins over J.J. Pearce and Highland Park and a loss by Wylie.
- More Sports Headlines
-
Romney Rolls to Easy Win in Nevada GOP Caucuses
Raw Video: Missing Family Found Alive in Ore.
Police Clear Tents From Occupy Site in DC
Killer of Fla. Girl Found in Landfill Gets Life
Army Orders Bradley Manning Court-martial
Cancer Charity Revives Breast-screening Grants
Heavy Snowstorm Hits Colorado On Its Way East
2nd Teacher From LA School Arrested on Sex Claim
Prosecutors Close Armstrong Inquiry, No Charges
Sights and Sounds: Football Fans Pour Into Indy
Unemployment Rate Down to 8.3%
Obama: Still Far Too Many Americans Need Jobs
GOP: Jobs Numbers Welcome, Can Do Better
Fla. Man Adopts Girlfriend in Legal Battle
More Deaths As Egypt Clashes Continue
Raw Video: Prince William in Falklands
Egpyt Protesters Blame Police for Soccer Deaths
'Lucky' 9-Year-Old Receives 6-Organ Transplant
Raw Video: Michelle Vs. Ellen in Pushup Contest
First Person: Will Peyton Manning Stay in Indy?
