June 19 - Seattle, WA

Northwest Water Polo Club showcased its talent and determination in the highly competitive 2023 PNW Junior Olympics qualifier tournament held from June 16 to 18 at Mt. Hood Aquatics Center in Gresham, OR. Fielding nine teams across different age categories, the club's athletes displayed exceptional skill and teamwork against the top clubs from across the Pacific Northwest. Let's delve into the results and accomplishments of each team.

18u Boys Dominate the Competition:

The Northwest 18u Boys team delivered a standout performance, going undefeated in all four matches over the weekend. In their first game, they faced a tough challenge against T-Hills, triumphing with a close score of 9-7. The 18s carried this momentum forward, defeating Rain City 9-3 and PSP 17-8 in a cross over semi-final. In the championship game against Rain City, the Northwest 18u Boys exhibited great resilience to secure a hard-fought 9-7 victory. With a 4-0 record, the squad claimed the top spot in their division to qualify for the championship bracket at the 2023 Junior Olympics. 

16u Boys Finish Third:

The 16u Boys team played tough all weekend, displaying teamwork and determination to finish in third place. They started their campaign with an impressive 14-8 win against Rain City and followed it up with victories against T-Hills (19-9), Blue Crush (12-9), and PSP (11-5). The team encountered a setback against LOWPO, losing 10-5 before ending the tournament with an 0-5 loss to Newberg. With a 4-2 record, the 16u Boys secured a third place finish to  qualify for the championship bracket at the 2023 Junior Olympics. 

14u Girls Show Grit:

The 14u Girls team faced tough competition throughout the tournament. Despite challenging matchups against tough opponents such as Bainbridge, Rain City, LOWPO, and PSP, the girls exhibited remarkable skill and teamwork. Although the scores were not in the team's favor, the girls' dedication and sportsmanship remained unwavering. The squads never give up attitude pushed the team to a fifth place finish to qualify for the classic bracket at the 2023 Junior Olympics.

14u Yellow and 14u Black Deliver Strong Performances:

The 14u Yellow and 14u Black teams showcased their potential and growth throughout the tournament. The 14u Yellow team achieved a respectable 2-4 record, finishing in sixth place. They demonstrated their ability to compete by securing wins against LOWPO (10-8) and T-Hills (10-8), while also showcasing their resilience in closely contested matches against Bainbridge (6-11 and 2-15). The boys' effort qualified the team for the 2023 Junior Olympics in the Classic Bracket.

The 14u Black team had an impressive showing, finishing in fourth place with a 2-3 record. They delivered notable victories against PSP (12-11) and Narrows (12-6). Although they faced challenging matches against Rain City (9-16), LOWPO (3-15), and Rain City (4-15), their performance over the weekend displayed the 14s unwavering commitment and fighting spirit. With a 6th place finish the team qualified for the 2023 Junior Olympics in the Classic Bracket. 

16u Girls Finish Fourth:

The 16u Girls team battled fiercely throughout the tournament, gaining valuable experience while competing against some great teams. Their journey included a notable victory against Rain City (10-3) and they showcased their resilience against formidable opponents such as LOWPO (8-11), Bainbridge (4-11) and PSP (4-17). Despite finishing in fourth place, the team can be proud of their impressive performance that secured them a spot in the classic bracket at the 2023 Junior Olympics.

Not featured this weekend were the NWPC 10u coed, 12u boys and 12u girls teams. All three squads automatically qualified for the 2023 Junior Olympics and will head down to Irvine in July. Northwest will send nine teams to the 2023 Junior Olympics including a 10u coed, 12u boys, 12u girls, 14u boys (two teams), 14u girls, 16u boys, 16u girls and 18u boys. Congratulations to all the athletes, coaches and parents on a fantastic weekend of water polo and qualifying for the 2023 Junior Olympics. 

2023 PNW JO Qualifier Results