Merced youth water polo team captures silver medal at USA Water Polo Junior Olympics

After compiling a 6-1 record against teams from across the country, the Merced-based SKIP 12-and-under coed water polo team came home with a second-place finish out of 40 teams at the USA Water Polo Junior Olympics recently held in the Bay area.

The tournament was held July 25-28 in the San José area with the final two games at Stanford University.

“Honestly, I can just say the group is special because they just are a team that they all get along,” said SKIP coach Eric Larson. “It’s like a family, they’re like brothers and sisters.”

SKIP, which stands for Strength, Knowledge, Integrity and Passion, is comprised of boys and girls from Merced County ranging from 9 to 12 years old.

They local squad qualified for the Junior Olympics by winning the Central Zone championship by going 4-0 in the Aug. 8-9 tournament in Sacramento.

SKIP then opened the tournament with three wins by a combined score of 59-29.

Larson said the highlight of the tournament was defeating the Los Angeles Water Polo Club twice by the same score of 8-7, including a victory over the LA squad in the semifinals with a goal in the final seconds.

“Beating the team from Los Angeles twice was huge because they come from such a big area and we come from Merced,” Larson said.

Larson said the team had been working on a screen play in practice that he called that led to the winning goal in the semifinals.

“I called a timeout and I told them what play we were going to run,” Larson said.

The ball made it’s way to Jake Gentry with time winding down. Gentry then located Clayton Drury and Drury scored the game-winning goal with 5 seconds left on the clock.

The dramatic win led to a wild celebration for the SKIP players, coaches and parents.

“It was insane,” Larson said. “I mean it was electric. When Clay scored the goal the parents went nuts.”

Larson also touted his goalie Kellen O’Bruba for an excellent tournament.

“That kid played excellent at goalie,” Larson said. “And he’s only 10 years old. He could have played 10-and-under.”

SKIP then faced the Sharks out of Marin and battled to an 11-11 tie after regulation. The Sharks won the championship after a shootout.

“They all encourage each other,” Larson said. “There’s no negativity with these kids at all. I’m very blessed to coach them.”

The team was comprised of O’Bruba, Drury, Gentry, Micah Metcalf, Lylah Larson, Barrett Metcalf, Trevor Lung, Everett Drury, Penny Westburg, Marin McAuley, Andrew Hamilton, Ethan Del Rio and Adalynn Bone. The team was coached by Larson and Marcus Metcalf.

Larson said he’s so proud of what this team accomplished against some very good water polo teams.

“Words can’t describe it,” Larson said. “Honestly, I love each kid like they’re my own kids. That’s the best way I can put it. Like I always tell people when they’re in the pool, they’re all my kids.”