Santa Barbara’s girls took fifth place at the recent High School State Invitational Water Polo Tournament in Orange County.
The Dons beat Foothill and Laguna Beach in the fifth-place bracket. They defeated Torrey Pines, Fountain Valley and Murietta Valley in bracket play and were knocked off by eventual tournament runner-up Corona del Mar in the quarterfinals.
Coach Mark Walsh cited the play of Makenzy Fowler and Kelsey O’Brien.
In the boys state invitational, Santa Barbara placed 12th. The Dons topped Palo Alto, Foothill and St. Francis and lost to Newport Harbor, Acalanes and Sacred Heart. Walsh praised the play of Mark Davis and Evan Robertson.
Walsh will be coaching Santa Barbara club teams at the Junior Olympics starting Saturday with the boys in Los Angeles and Pasadena. The girls’ JOs start next Thursday.
