With over 300 teams, 100 different clubs and 4 divisions per age group, Winterfest Water Polo Tournament is the largest club hosted event in the water polo world. The size didnt intimidate any of the Northern Elite Lion Water Polo players.
With Lucas Novak and Peter Berquist both earning MVP awards for their tournament winning teams, the Northern Elite Lions were well represented, but not nearly finished. As it is important that the coaches too continue to learn and grow as both, players and coaches, coach Wesley Kading recently also accomplished the same feat at Winterfest in the Men's Senior division.
Despite coming off of shoulder surgery just over 8 weeks before the masters division commenced, Kading's hard training and rehab paid off as he was voted MVP of the Men's division and his team took first place in the Winterfest Tournament as well.
Coach Wesley Kading tallied over 20 assists in five games yet just 1 goal throughout the entire tournament. After the championship game and voting had completed, we caught up with Wesley to get his reaction:
"Im not sure why they gave the award to me. I wouldnt have voted for myself, we have a lot of tremendous athletes and players on this team. Im just happy to be a part of this group and contribute where I can. Its an honor to be voted for by my peers for this award, Im just kind of in shock, really. We have bigger goals in mind as a club, I hope this success fuels us towards the top of the remaining tournaments this year."
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Northern Elite 16U Sweep Winterfest
With their hearts set on gold, the two Northern Elite 16U teams got off to an early start as the Crimson team started the day with a 7am game while the Navy team began at 8am.
The Crimson team started fast and finished fast as they hit their opponent with a devastating knockout blow by putting themselves ahead by 5 goals in the first half. Coach Ryan Klaus attributed the speed of Christian Yanagashita and Matt LoGrasso as the spark plug that surged Northern Elite Crimson ahead and that kept them ahead. With a well rounded team defense anchored by Peter Berquist in the goal and 2 meter defending by Seth Alston and Alex Laird, the team yielded only 2 goals and went on to finish their semifinal match up 7-2.
Later on in the day, the Crimson group continued their surge into the gold medal match as they stopped a number of their opponent's counter attacks. The physical nature ended up hurting both teams as each squad suffered two major rolls leaving Northern Elite with only 2 subs for the remainder of the game. However, the Lions held strong. With tremendous communication from the back line and great help defense, the Lions forced bad shot after bad shot which ultimately led to counter attack goals. Watching Northern Elite counter out so quickly brought a smile to Coach Ryan Klaus's face as he stated: "Its fun to watch our northern California water polo boys beat the southern California boys at their own game." Southern California, known for its fierce pace and anticipatory nature, struggled against the fluid defense of the Lions and ultimately fell prey to a hungry Crimson Lion team 12-4. The Navy, too, doubled up the gold effort in their division.
With an 8 am start, the Navy team came out sluggish against a fierce Malibu team. Suffering for the first time all tournament, the Lions fell behind early and remained behind 1-0 at the end of the first period. The second period, however, was a different story.
Wearing their new dark caps, that look more like the world all star team caps, the Lions came out with a ferocious vigor about them. Posting a 6-0 run in the second period, the Lions were led by a number of counter attack goals headed by Sean Elmurib and some tremendous passes from Matt Baszucki, Dimitri Herr, Matt Suever and Chris Blank. Everyone factored in on the action as the unselfish play continued well into the finals after Malibu was dismissed 10-3.
In moving into the finals, the Lions faced a Yucaipa team whom they had played just a year before at the exact same tournament. The Northern Elite Navy team came out at a blistering pace but struggled to find the back of the cage. Their defense, however, kept them in the game and at the end of the first half the score was a meager 1-0 in favor of the Lions. The second half left little to be desired, however.
Moving into a press and go defense forced Yucaipa into a number of turnovers which fueled the fire of the Lions. With multiple goals and assists from every member of the team, the Lions found their stride in the second half and ultimately walked themselves into the record books as champions of the Winterfest tournament.
Lucas Novak (Navy) and Peter Berquist (Crimson) were award MVP honors for their performances and leadership in and out of the pool. Lucas Novak averaged just over 4 goals per game while Peter Berquist, a goalie, had a goals against average of just over 2. Both players were honored by the Winterfest host, International Water Polo Club, and Bahram Horjeh, president of International WPC, personally, for their hard work and dedication to excellence.
The Northern Elite teams, Navy and Crimson, both played well and showed what it means to be a Lion. With unselfish play and terrific communication, they were stingy and fought through the ebbs and flows of playing such a rigorous schedule. A tremendous feat to win two separate divisions in the largest club hosted event in the water polo world, Northern Elite is still in its infancy as they have only been in existence for just over a year as this Winterfest marks the 1 year anniversary of their first tournament. The Northern Elite Water Polo Club is proving that educating the entire individual is a formula for success against even the top tier clubs in the California area.
Special thanks to International Water Polo Club for hosting the Winterfest event that consisted of 300 teams and over 100 clubs. A tremendous feat that is cause for instant respect and admiration. Northern Elite is already looking forward to the Winterfest Water Polo Tournament in 2014!!!!!
Northern Elite 14u Defeat Pacific, Fall Short vs. Lamorinda B
The Northern Elite 14u boys started the second day of the 2013 Winterfest tournament with a bang, routing Pacific Polo 14-7. P.J. Wisowaty and Max Usman lead the defensive charge with strong performances as 2 meter defenders, while Dakota Freudenstein, Jack Mallery, Andy Maxwell and Alec Vort provided strong offensive contributions. All boys saw action in this game and played great team defense and unselfish offensive play.
In the 2nd game, the 14u gained some valuable experience in keeping their composure as they played a very good Lamorinda team, falling 13-3. Coach Beau Schuster was encouraged by a stronger defensive effort in the second half as the team only allowed 4 goals and played great help defense. Alec Berquist had several incredible saves in goal and provided 2 assists on counter attack goals with precision passing. The 14u's are back in action today against Trojan Polo at 12:50p.
In the 2nd game, the 14u gained some valuable experience in keeping their composure as they played a very good Lamorinda team, falling 13-3. Coach Beau Schuster was encouraged by a stronger defensive effort in the second half as the team only allowed 4 goals and played great help defense. Alec Berquist had several incredible saves in goal and provided 2 assists on counter attack goals with precision passing. The 14u's are back in action today against Trojan Polo at 12:50p.
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Northern Elite Navy Flying High
The Northern Elite Navy woke up Saturday morning knowing that the day would not be as easily dismissed as the previous night happened to be. After getting some much needed rest, they showed up ready to play Central Valley. A fast start and some of the most pristine passing that was jaw dropping caused even Olympian and 2 time gold medalist, Bruce Furniss, to congratulate the team after their awe inspiring victory in their final round robin game. The Navy squad put away Central Valley early and cruised into a 16-6 victory but knew the next game would be more of a test when they faced off against a talented, and rather large goalie, Trojan team.
Home of the Loyola High School lion cubs, Trojan Water Polo Club boasts an impressive background and record of success and toughness. The Lions, however, were ready to show the Cubs what being the "king of the pool" really meant. The Lions set out on a fierce pace as they only dropped two passes and scored on all but two of their first 7 possessions as they tallied 5 unanswered goals in the first quarter. But, they werent done. With an imposing 6ft 6inch goalie fluttering in the opponents goal, the Lions knew that their passes had to be exact and to the point. And, it seemed as though they couldnt miss. With pass after pass being placed around the perimeter and put in the hands of a moving driver, the monstrous goalie was all but paralyzed. Leading the way for the Navy squad was Lucas Novak with seven goals and a number of great steals. It wasnt all one person, however, as the Lions took away a number of passes from the Cubs as a team. Their help defense left little to be desired as goalie Tony Zunino communicated well with his defense to align them perfectly to complete a first half shut out and all but put away the Trojans as they held a 9-0 lead at half.
Coach Wesley Kading was asked after the game what the difference was between the way his boys were playing this year as opposed to this year, his response was as follows:
"We're passing the ball well and capitalizing on the little things that we used to let get away. We're playing smarter now."
The Northern Elite Lions Navy team will play in their semifinal match at 8am Sunday morning at Villa Park High School. If they win their opener, their final will be at 140pm Sunday.
Home of the Loyola High School lion cubs, Trojan Water Polo Club boasts an impressive background and record of success and toughness. The Lions, however, were ready to show the Cubs what being the "king of the pool" really meant. The Lions set out on a fierce pace as they only dropped two passes and scored on all but two of their first 7 possessions as they tallied 5 unanswered goals in the first quarter. But, they werent done. With an imposing 6ft 6inch goalie fluttering in the opponents goal, the Lions knew that their passes had to be exact and to the point. And, it seemed as though they couldnt miss. With pass after pass being placed around the perimeter and put in the hands of a moving driver, the monstrous goalie was all but paralyzed. Leading the way for the Navy squad was Lucas Novak with seven goals and a number of great steals. It wasnt all one person, however, as the Lions took away a number of passes from the Cubs as a team. Their help defense left little to be desired as goalie Tony Zunino communicated well with his defense to align them perfectly to complete a first half shut out and all but put away the Trojans as they held a 9-0 lead at half.
Coach Wesley Kading was asked after the game what the difference was between the way his boys were playing this year as opposed to this year, his response was as follows:
"We're passing the ball well and capitalizing on the little things that we used to let get away. We're playing smarter now."
The Northern Elite Lions Navy team will play in their semifinal match at 8am Sunday morning at Villa Park High School. If they win their opener, their final will be at 140pm Sunday.
16U Navy and Crimson Sail to Victory
From the moment the Northern Elite Water Polo Club walked on the pool deck, their opponents knew they were going to be sent a message: We're not here to mess around. The coach of 714, who was playing just before the Navy team, shook every players hand as they walked by while congratulating them for dressing so professionally. The professionalism carried poured over into the pool.
With dry passes from left to right and back again, the movement and placement left little to be desired as the Navy and Crimson teams both tallied a 10-0 at halftime. With superb goal tending by both Peter Berquist and Anthony Zunino, Berquist recording a 5 meter block and Zunino pulling everything down, the teams played sharp and dismissed their opponents with ease.
The Navy team plays host to Central Valley and a win will put them in the top 8 while the Crimson team has a tough match against CHAWP and then plays FLO. The ball drops at 12pm for the Navy team and 1235pm and 605pm, respectively for the Crimson team. Both teams have an opportunity move to the medal rounds if they go win out today.
Go Lions!
With dry passes from left to right and back again, the movement and placement left little to be desired as the Navy and Crimson teams both tallied a 10-0 at halftime. With superb goal tending by both Peter Berquist and Anthony Zunino, Berquist recording a 5 meter block and Zunino pulling everything down, the teams played sharp and dismissed their opponents with ease.
The Navy team plays host to Central Valley and a win will put them in the top 8 while the Crimson team has a tough match against CHAWP and then plays FLO. The ball drops at 12pm for the Navy team and 1235pm and 605pm, respectively for the Crimson team. Both teams have an opportunity move to the medal rounds if they go win out today.
Go Lions!
Friday, February 8, 2013
14u "Hails" to Success
Plane flight to Southern California? Check. An opening round victory at Winterfest, 2013? Check. Surviving a hail storm? Check. The 14u boys were met with more than just strong competition in their first victory of the tournament when the Southern California skies opened up providing some extra excitement with a flash hail storm during the teams' pregame warm up. Braving the elements with strong offensive and defensive performances, Northern Elite scored 4 unanswered goals to rally back form a 3-2 halftime deficit, highlighted by the support of the Northern Elite 16u team who were in attendance to cheer on their younger team members. All players from the Northern Elite 14u saw action today and made contributions to the final 8-4 victory. Northern Elite 14u are back in action tomorrow at 12:00p against Pacific Polo. Go Lions!
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Northern Elite sending 3 teams to Winterfest
It is with great excitement and enthusiasm that I am able to announce that we will be sending 3 teams to the Winterfest Water Polo Tournament in southern California that occurs from February 8th to the 10th.
Growing from barely being able to send 1, 16u team just a year ago to boasting an enrollment of 600% growth YOY, Northern Elite will be sending two 16u teams and 1 full 14u team.
All of the teams are expected to perform at a very high level and finish in the top half of their division down in southern California. But, none of it is going to be possible without some hard work and final preparation.
I look forward to seeing all of you this week to focus in our improvement and fine tuning of our skills and teamwork.
Great to be a part of something so magnificent.
Go Lions!!!!
Growing from barely being able to send 1, 16u team just a year ago to boasting an enrollment of 600% growth YOY, Northern Elite will be sending two 16u teams and 1 full 14u team.
All of the teams are expected to perform at a very high level and finish in the top half of their division down in southern California. But, none of it is going to be possible without some hard work and final preparation.
I look forward to seeing all of you this week to focus in our improvement and fine tuning of our skills and teamwork.
Great to be a part of something so magnificent.
Go Lions!!!!
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