Yolo sent 7 teams and 64 incredible athletes to compete in the USA Water Polo National Junior Olympics. What happened next surpassed our wildest expectations.
A Historic Medal Haul
Incredibly, 5 teams returned home with medals, capped off by an astounding 4 gold medals across the 10u and 12u youth divisions. To top it all off, our 12u Mixed team captured the National Championship!
“Surprisingly, no one joined Yolo to win a gold medal. They joined Yolo to figure out whether or not they like the sport of water polo. And if they enjoy it, can they improve?”
At Yolo, our core mission has always been simple: foster a love for the game so athletes want to continue their water polo journey into the fall. Did we succeed? Only time will tell, but the smiles in the pool tell us we are on the right track.
Beyond the Scoreboard
As a club, we firmly believe that the scoreboard takes care of itself. While the hardware was amazing, the true highlights of the tournament were the moments in between the games: team meals and bonding time, epic beach days, running through Hangar 24, and simple car rides with the AC blasting at full blast
Water polo is widely considered the most challenging sport in the world. All of our teams encountered their fair share of adversity this season. Our hope is that through our curriculum, we helped our athletes become anti-fragile. After all, if you can keep your head above water in this sport, you just might be ready to take the reins of a startup 10 years from now!
Shoutouts to Our Incredible Coaches
None of this would have been possible without the dedication, heart, and vision of our coaching and leadership staff:
- Coach Katie: For her invaluable leadership and collegiate coaching insights.
- Jack: Who, like a seasoned racecar driver, always knows when to floor it versus tap the brakes.
- Izzy: Who quickly became a favorite among our athletes in under a year.
- Ann: Who radiated sunshine and a contagious passion for polo across our youth teams.
- Eli: Who demonstrated how the strongest leaders can still lead with deep empathy.
- Sean: Who served as a catalyst by adapting high school principles to a 12u roster.
- DJ: Our stalwart on the bench, always ready with a high-five or gentle coaching insight.
- John (Board Member): The steady hand on the tiller helping guide the Yolo ship through tournament turbulence.
Thank You, Yolo Family & Parents
A Cinderella season requires a village. To our amazing parents who showed up in every way imaginable—thank you:
- Walter: The glue of our organization, always ready to record games or pull the covers.
- Brandon & Jennie: For making sure our 12u team had sustenance, shade, sunscreen, hydration, and every need met at the highest level.
- Pete: For capturing countless memories behind the lens.
- Louis: The ultimate wheel man for cover-pulling and team caravans.
- Keith: For embracing the livestreams, even for extra championship games.
- Nick & Joe W: Heading up our new data and statistical decisions team!
- Dan & Kami: For capturing all the play-by-play during the tense final days.
- Ryan & Ashley: For providing premium equipment (balls and cages) to create a true championship environment.
- The Binders: For the awesome YOLO keychains—the absolute hit of the tourney!
- The Patronis: For making sure I got home safely!
- Tori & Allison: For designing the most fun JOs t-shirt—completely on brand.
As we turn the page to the next season, we are overflowing with gratitude. Thank you to every single athlete, parent, and coach who made this chapter so special.
Onwards!