Publication Date: Friday, February 04, 2005
WOMEN'S WAER POLO
Menlo coach guides U.S. team to gold medal
Menlo coach guides U.S. team to gold medal
(February 04, 2005) by Rick Eymer
Kyle Utsumi will once again be submitting his application to coach the United States women's junior National water polo team. He has put together quite a resume.
Utsumi, who coaches at Menlo School, led the U.S. to the championship at the FINA Junior Women's World Championships on Sunday in Perth, Australia. The Americans beat Russia, 11-9, in the title match.
The United States defended their world title, becoming the first country to repeat as champions.
"Other teams gave us their best shot and we were able to respond, Utsumi said. "This group has put in a lot of time and training while trying to balance school. Everybody on the team has aspirations to make the Olympic team so it was a great time to step forward."
The Americans trailed at halftime, 6-4, but gained the lead for good with two minutes left in the third period. UCLA's Gabrielle Domanic scored five goals in the title game, and had a team-leading 15 in the tournament.
"She has a lot of international experience," Utsumi said. "She was in the right places to receive passes and she finished her plays."
Sophomore Katie Hansen, one of four Stanford sophomores on the team, added a goal. Sophomore goalie Meridith McColl recorded seven saves in the tournament. Sophomores Alison Gregorka and Christina Hewko also played.
Hewko scored once in the tournament; the game-winning goal in the United States' 5-4 win over Australia in the semifinals, while McColl had six saves in the opening game victory over Hungary.
The Americans lead once at halftime in their six victories. They trailed Australia 3-1 after the first period and 4-3 at halftime.
With Gregorka leading the way, the U.S. turned up its defensive intensity to shut down the Australians and give Hewko the chance for her game winner with five minutes remaining.
Hansen finished with seven goals in the tournament.
Utsumi began coaching the group four years ago in the 18-and-under category. He moved up to the junior national (20-under) level last year and coached the team to a 9-0 mark and a gold medal at the Pan Am Games last summer.
The coaching positions on the national level are opened up after every World Championships. Utsumi will be reapplying for his job, and he's let his actions do most of the talking.
NorCal preps
The NorCal girls club team, comprised of players from Sacred Heart Prep and Menlo-Atherton High, won the bronze medal at the recently concluded BC Open 18-and-under tournament in Vancouver.
Even without seniors on the roster, the NorCal club beat Calgary, 12-6, Quebec, 12-4, and Vancouver, 7-4, to advance to the semifinals.
NorCal lost in Vancouver, 9-4, in the semis but came back to earn the bronze by shutting out Quebec in the second half en route to a 7-4 come-from-behind victory.
Team members include Christina Baladi, Rita Bullwinkle, Christie Clark, Lindsay Dorst, Lauren Jollymour, Devan Kennifer, Kristen McMillan, Pallavi Menon, Melissa Mordell, Kristen Sheridan, Kimi Stephens, Edie Urban and Adriana Vogt.
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