PUHI — Sports enthusiasts were treated to a water polo match, Friday at the YMCA pool. Coordinated by the Kaua‘i Water Polo and Swim Kaua‘i Aquatics, the match, billed as the “SummerSplash,” featured both student and adult divisions, each age
PUHI — Sports enthusiasts were treated to a water polo match, Friday at the YMCA pool.
Coordinated by the Kaua‘i Water Polo and Swim Kaua‘i Aquatics, the match, billed as the “SummerSplash,” featured both student and adult divisions, each age group playing one half before alternating with the other division.
SKA coach Billy Brown, donning the Blue cap for the adults and being a coach for the Blue student team, said the match is in preparation for the Hawaiian Invitational where the adult team, Kaua‘i Water Polo, will be heading to O‘ahu to compete.
“This Hawaiian Invitational is one of the big water polo events of the year,” Brown said. “We will play against some mixed varsity/alumni teams from UCSD, USC, and a couple of Australian and an O‘ahu team.”
Since hosting a tournament last year, water polo has grown on Kaua‘i, Brown said.
Following the Hawaiian Invitational, Brown said Kaua‘i Water Polo will be hosting another water polo tournament on Sept. 11-12 at the YMCA pool.
Anyone interested in taking up the sport is invited to check out the water polo practices that take place every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 5:45-7 p.m.
“Basically, the program is free, but the participant is responsible for paying for the guest pass or a YMCA membership,” Brown said.
Tom Tannery, the YMCA of Kaua‘i director, was watching the action from the sidelines, noting the Friday “SummerSplash” was totally handled by Brown who had the full regulation setup for the matches.
Kathleen Littlefield, whose daughter Anya was busy juggling between playing polo and referee-ing, said Kaua‘i Water Polo even has its own supporter shirts, the design drafted by Brown.
As the game progressed, Anya, one of the starters for the White student team, or Marshmallows as the Blue team described them, had a 6-4 edge over the Blue team, or Blueberries as they described themselves at the half-way mark.
Anya, an SKA and Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation swimming standout, recently returned from the state championships by winning five of her eight events to earn the meet’s High Point Award and the title of the Best 15-16 Girls Swimmer in Hawai‘i.
That lead was extended to 11-5 as the third period progressed.
The Kaua‘i Water Polo team has the Blue team holding a 7-6 edge over the White team following one half of play.
For more information, visit www.ymcaofkauai.org, or call 246-9090.
