The dust has settled on the USA Water Polo Pac Zone Junior Olympic Qualifications, and what an unforgettable ride it has been!
This season, Yolo Polo went all-in, proudly entering 7 incredible teams across 5 distinct divisions. From our youngest athletes to our seasoned competitors, our club showed up, fought hard, and represented what Yolo Polo is all about.
Heavy Lifting at Home: Exceptional Hosting
As a club, we were thrilled to step up and host the local qualifiers for an impressive three 10u divisions (Girls, Boys, and Mixed) as well as the 12u Mixed division right here at home in the Soda Dive Tank.
Hosting an event of this scale takes a village, and our community delivered a seamless, top-tier experience for athletes, families, and visiting clubs alike.
Elite Competition: Earning the Top Seed
The Pacific Zone is widely recognized as one of the most competitive water polo divisions in the country, battling powerhouse programs like 680, CC United, Diablo, Lamorinda, San Jose Express, Alameda, Marin, Sharks and more!
In light of that fierce competition, our achievement shines even brighter: Incredibly, 2 of our Yolo teams earned the #1 overall seed from the Pacific Zone! This milestone stands as a testament to the dedication, resilience, and skill of our players and coaching staff.
Iron Sharpens Iron: Our Local Community Philosophy
At Yolo Polo, we take immense pride in fostering a collaborative, supportive competitive environment right here in our region.
“How do you cut a diamond? With another diamond!”
At the youth level, our ultimate goal goes beyond the scoreboard. We strive to share our deep passion for water polo with every kid who steps on the deck, inspiring them to fall in love with the sport and continue playing for years to come.
That spirit of community was beautifully captured by a visiting local coach who reached out after the weekend:
“Thank you for hosting Quals this weekend. It honestly was one of the best Quals experiences I’ve had—great facility, great refs, everything was on time. It was just really pleasant.
And of course, huge congrats to your Yolo team. I have so much respect for what you’ve done with the club. Your kids are great. Go win it all at JOs!! 💪”
Looking Ahead
To our players, coaches, families, and volunteers: Thank you. Your hard work, sportsmanship, and energy made this qualifier run one for the history books.
Now, it’s time to fine-tune, recharge, and get ready to shine on the national stage.
Go win it all at JOs! Onwards! 🚀