HBWP Club wins national crown at Junior Olympics

The Huntington Beach Water Polo Club girls’ 18-Under “A” team won a national title Sunday at the 2011 USA Water Polo Junior Olympics in Irvine.

Huntington Beach “A’ took the Platinum championship by defeating perennial power Santa Barbara, 6-5, at the William Woollett Jr. Aquatic Center. It’s the first time a Huntington Beach Water Polo Club team has won gold at the national tournament, which was held for the 42nd time.

“They’ve had our number the last two or so years, so it’s great to come through on the national stage,” girls’ 18U assistant coach Eric Benson said. “This tournament marks the end of the season and the final time that these girls will play together, so it’s great to see them go out on top.”

In the Gold-half of the division, Huntington Beach “B” won the title with an 11-7 victory over Marin at Woollett.

— From Staff Reports

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Loschiavo wins national title

Brandon Loschiavo of Huntington Beach won a national title by claiming the 14-year-old Boys’ 3-meter springboard crown at the Amateur Athletic Union Diving National Championships on July 23 in Riverside.

Loschiavo started the final round in second place and dropped to eighth after the first dive, a reverse 1 1/2 somersaults in pike position. He bounced back with a vengeance winning the next dive, a back 1 1/2 somersault with 2 1/2 twists for a score of 57.40 points.

He finished the meet strong with his highest score of the meet, 57.80, coming on his forward 2 1/2 somersaults in pike position.

Loschiavo earned AAU All-American status by winning the national title. He earned additional AAU All-American titles with bronze medals in both the 14-year-old boys’ one-meter springboard and 14-15 boys’ platform competitions.

Loschiavo, who trains with McCormick Divers at Belmont Plaza Olympic Pool in Long Beach, is in Knoxville, Tenn., this week for the U.S. Division Junior National Championships. He earned a place at nationals in all three 14-15 year old competitions, 1- and 3-meter springboard and platform diving competitions.

— Jessica Pollack, Community Correspondent