Locals capture crown

Recent Newport Harbor High graduates Matt Russell, Jack Yeager and Blake Kelly, as well as recent Corona del Mar High graduate Max Bergeson and CdM senior-to-be Chase Watson helped lead SoCal Black to the boys’ 18-and-under championship at the S&R Sport USA Water Polo National Junior Olympics Tuesday.

The five local players helped SoCal defeat Los Angeles Water Polo Club Red, 14-9, to win the title at the Miguel Contreras Learning Complex in Los Angeles.

The Newport Water Polo Foundation 18-and-under boys’ team lost to Shore Aquatics, 8-7, at the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center, finishing 12th.

Newport went 4-3 during the four-day tournament. After winning its first three games, Newport went 1-3 the rest of the way.

Newport’s 16-and-under boys’ team placed 13th after defeating Clovis A, 6-5. Newport went 5-3 in its division.

Newport’s 14-and-under boys’ team finished 21st, while the 12-and-under boys placed 22nd.

The girls’ teams from Newport and Corona del Mar are slated to compete at the S&R Sport USA Water Polo National Junior Olympics on Thursday.

Newport has teams in the 12- , 14- , 16- and 18-and-under divisions, and CdM in the 18-and-under division.

— From staff reports