Local Athletes Make USA National Team Roster

SHERMAN OAKS, CA --Three local athletes are breaking water polo club records by all three being named to the USA National Cadet Travel Team for Water Polo. They will travel to Serbia to compete in the annual Darko Cucik Memorial Tournament, August 15-20, 2017, in Belgrade, Serbia. The tournament is for athletes aged 15 and under. The athletes from left to right: Nico Tierney (defender), George Avakian (center) and Nolan Krutonog (goalie) are all members of Premier Water Polo Club (www.premierwaterpolo.com) which trains at Harvard-Westlake High School. "Having three athletes from one club make the USA roster is astounding," notes Brian Flacks, Premier Club Head Coach, "We are overjoyed. Their hard work has paid off."

A grueling try-out period of four day camps, over several months, took place in Orange County. Athletes trying out came from all over the USA. The final selection of 14 athletes was announced earlier this week.

Team USA will compete against: Bosnia and Herzegovina; Croatia; Georgia; Germany; Hungary; Malta; Moldova; Netherlands; Romania; Serbia; Slovakia; Singapore; Australia.

Premier Water Polo Club, founded in 2014, has already turned out Rio Olympian, Ben Hallock and other athletes who have made the USA National Team Rosters: Sam Krutonog (Nolan's older brother); Johnny Hooper (on the current Senior Men's National Team) and Felix Brozyna-Vilim. Premier Water Polo has also qualified 8 teams for this summer's National Junior Olympics in July, including a 10 & under boys team and three girls teams (12s, 16s, 18s).

Premier Water Polo is currently accepting athletes. A free one-week trial is being offered through the summer. Eight years old with ability to swim one full lap is the minimum requirement.