Briefs: Rulon helps U.S. earn fifth place

Newport Beach resident Kelly Rulon helped the U.S. women’s national water polo team place fifth at the FINA World Championships in Spain by producing a goal in regulation and converting a goal in a shootout against Greece.

The U.S. outlasted Greece in a shootout after the match was tied, 11-11, at the end of overtime. In the shootout, Rulon was one of four Americans that converted their penalty goal shots. Greece failed on its first two attempts, ruling out the need for the U.S. to send out a fifth shooter.

The Americans improved on their previous finish at the FINA World Championships in 2011, when they took sixth.

The U.S. team also included Tumua Anae, a former Corona del Mar High standout.

“I’m just very proud of our team to be able to bounce back after giving up that [10-7 fourth-period] lead,” U.S. Coach Adam Krikorian said in a press release. “Giving up the lead and letting them go in front [11-10] in overtime, it shows a lot of resiliency on our part to be able to get it done.”

— From staff reports

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Johnson honored

Steve Johnson of the Orange County Breakers has been named the Mylan World Team Tennis Male Rookie of the Year, the league announced Thursday.

Johnson, the former Orange High and USC star, was the No. 2 men’s singles player in the league in his debut season.

He amassed a 62-47 record in men’s singles, and a 64-53 record in men’s doubles with teammate Treat Huey. He helped the Breakers win four straight matches at one point of the season.

Johnson is the second straight Breaker to earn Male Rookie of the Year honors, as J.P. Smith did so last year.

Orange County went 7-7 and missed the playoffs.

— From staff reports