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Published on 08/10/1998 All articles from this issue

Stanford water polo team makes history

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By Pete Borello / Town Crier Staff Writer

18 boys take the silver

The Stanford 14-and-under girls water polo team didn't return from the National Junior Olympics with a medal, but it did make club history.

By placing fourth overall, the squad finished higher than any girls team in Stanford history.

The team made it to the bronze medal round of the Junior Olympics, held Aug. 2-8 in Altamonte Springs, Fla. There, Stanford fell 6-0 to San Diego Shores to finish with a 4-3 record.

Los Altos Hills resident Diana Combs - one of five Stanford players entering St. Francis High this fall - said she wasn't surprised by her team's overall performance.

"I didn't know much about the competition," Combs said, "but I knew that when this team is at its best, it's pretty incredible."

Stanford blew the competition out of the water on the opening day of play. The team recorded double-digit wins against SoCal, San Clemente and Chicago Aquatics.

Stanford received its first real test on the second day, eking out a two-point victory against Long Beach Shore.

Stanford stumbled on Day 3, suffering back-to-back losses to Commerce of Southern California and Trap. These setbacks took Stanford out of title contention, landing them in the bronze medal match.

"I think we got a little too cocky after the first two days because we had some easy wins," said St. Francis-bound Jelisa Thomas of Los Altos. "On the third day, we finally met two teams that could match us mentally and physically."

Of the 15 teams competing in the 14-and-under division, Thomas and Combs listed eventual-champion Commerce as the toughest challenge.

"They've played together since they were 6 years old," Combs said. "They work together well and play really smart water polo."

The Stanford team hasn't been together nearly as long. Many of the players, including Combs, only took up the sport this year. Stanford started training in May and participated in several tournaments in June and July. The top 13 players were then selected to play in the Junior Olympics.

Other local players on the team included Caitlin Hayes, Katie McGlennon and Lindsey O'Farriell.

Combs' brother, Brian, helped the Stanford 18-and-under boys team claim the silver medal at the Junior Olympics.

The gold went to Orange County Aquatics, which beat Stanford 7-6 in the championship game.

Two of Orange County's goals came during a 6-on-5 player advantage in the second period. Stanford trailed 7-4 after the third period, but scored twice in the fourth to make things interesting.

Local players on Stanford included Combs, Brian Avon and Tim Kates of St. Francis, Brian Henry and Tim Kelsch of Los Altos High and Tyson Dirksen, Brad Lefkowits and Dave Swinehart of Gunn High.

The team was coached by Mountain View resident Craig Ackley and St. Francis coach Terry O'Donnell.