Local water polo players picked to U.S. national teams

Five players from the Santa Barbara Water Polo Club have received the honor to represent their country on USA Water Polo national teams in international competitions this summer.

Kiley Neushul and Sami Hill, former teammates at Dos Pueblos High, were selected to the U.S. Women’s Junior National Team for the FINA Junior World Championships, Sept. 11-17, in Trieste, Italy. Hill was a freshman goalkeeper for UCLA this season, while the Stanford-bound Neushul led Dos Pueblos to its fourth straight CIF Championship and was named CIF Player of the Year for the fourth time.

Kodi Hill, who led the defense for DP’s championship team, was named to the Under-18 team and attacker Mary Brooks was picked to the 16s squad. They’ll be taking a training trip to Hungary.

On boys side, defender Blake Parris was chosen to the USA Water Polo Cadet team, which will be playing in the Pan American UANA Youth Championships in Puerto Rico, Aug. 4-13.