Newport Harbor boys’ 18U water polo team takes second

C. Hopkins
Citizen Correspondent

Newport Harbor boys’ 18U water polo team takes second at inaugural Ironman League Water Polo Championship game Sunday evening. Newport lost 10-9 by shootout in the championship game to Mater Dei High School boys’ 18U team which includes Newport Beach residents Casey Connors, David Guibord, Patch O’Brien, Neal O’Hara and Peter Russell. Long Beach Shore defeated Corona Del Mar in overtime in the third place game.

The Ironman League was created in honor of water polo legend Klaus Barth, who died of brain cancer in 2006. Ironman games are played in a 30 meter course with 8 minute quarters as opposed to the high school level 25 meter course with seven minute quarters. 2008 US Water Polo Olympic Silver Medalist Adam Wright was on hand to pass out tournament awards including tournament MVP to Alex Wherry of Mater Dei and Best Defensive Player to Matt Russell of Newport Harbor.