Publication Date: Friday, March 18, 2005
WOMEN'S WATER POLO
Team USA will keep its coach
Team USA will keep its coach
(March 18, 2005) Menlo's Utsumi signs on for two more years with 20-under team
Menlo School girls' water polo coach Kyle Utsumi has his summers planned out for at least the next couple of years.
Utsumi, who coached the U.S. Junior Women's Water Polo (20-under) team to its second World Championship in January, has signed on for two more years, USA Water Polo announced.
The U.S junior women became the first two-time winner of the FINA Junior Women's World Championships back in January, fighting their way to a first-place finish under Utsumi in Perth, Australia. Utsumi also led the juniors to gold at last year's Junior Pan American Championships in Mexico.
"In reflecting on the World Championships in Perth, I realize that there is a lot for me to learn and I am pleased to have the opportunity to continue to gain experience and make adjustments," Utsumi said in a statement.
Utsumi began with the women's National Youth Team (18-under) in 2001 and was a part of the U.S. staff that claimed gold at the 2003 Pan American Games. Currently, Utsumi is a part of the coaching staff for the Stanford Water Polo Club in addition to being head coach of the Menlo girls' water polo team.
"Kyle coming back brings great continuity to our program," said National Teams High Performance Director Guy Baker. "He did a great job with the juniors heading into Worlds. They weren't training in a full-time environment, so he did a great job of pulling that team together and in position to win in Perth."
With only one player from his World Championship team eligible to return in 2007, Utsumi will be taking a look at some new blood at a National Zone Selection Camp May 28-31 in Kearns, Utah. Utsumi is looking forward to working with new women's senior head coach, Bill Barnett, on the continued development of the junior level.
"Coach Barnett and I will look for opportunities for the group to train and possibly compete this summer," said Utsumi, pointing out that no major competitions are scheduled for the rest of 2005.
Utsumi's appointment, finalized by USA Water Polo's Women's International/Olympic Committee, is through 2006.
"Based upon past accomplishments and expected success in the future, the selection committee along with the WIOC whole heartedly endorse Kyle as our Junior coach for the next two years," said Brent Bohlender, chair of the USWP WIOC.
The U.S. women's program, under Baker, came a long way in the last several years. A big part of that success was the streamlining of the teams and their system of play and plenty of communication between the coaches. Utsumi has been instrumental in that process and looks to continue with that trend in the next two years.
"We ask a lot of the zone coaches in terms of getting their zone teams familiar with the skills and technology that are used throughout the pipeline," Baker said. "This coming year, we expect a smooth transition for any junior players who are selected to train and compete with the senior team and any youth players that are selected to this year's junior team."
"Any athletes getting the basic training at their zone tryouts and training are off to a great start as well. The idea of having coaches across the country providing athletes with this knowledge and preparation is exciting."
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