WATER POLO MAY RETURN AS PREP SPORT.Byline: HEATHER GRIPP Staff Writer If water polo water polo, swimming game encompassing features of soccer, football, basketball, and hockey. The object of the game is to maneuver, by head, feet, or hand, a leather-covered ball 27 to 28 in. enthusiasts have their way, Santa Clarita Santa Clarita, city (1990 pop. 110,642), Los Angeles co., S Calif., suburb 30 mi (48 km) NW of downtown Los Angeles, on the Santa Clara River; inc. 1987. Situated in the Santa Clara valley and nearby canyons, Santa Clarita includes the former towns of Canyon Country, high schools could soon be offering a new sport. A group of parents has been lobbying the schools to add water polo, and they are encouraged by progress made in recent weeks. ``We're optimistic op·ti·mist n. 1. One who usually expects a favorable outcome. 2. A believer in philosophical optimism. op ,'' said Jeff Miaidin, one of the parents spearheading the campaign. `We are making progress.'' The goal is to have boys' and girls' water polo teams at each of the six schools in the Foothill League. The sport has not been offered in the area since Hart did away with its boys' team in the 1970s. Local interest in water polo has soared since the Santa Clarita Water Polo Club was formed and began training out of the Santa Clarita Aquatics Center, where many of the high school games would be played. In approximately the year that the club has been together, it has grown from a handful of players to about 35 boys and girls boys and girls mercurialisannua. in sixth through 12th grades, with players from every high school in the William S. Hart Union High School District. The city of Santa Clarita also runs its own water polo program, with about 40 participants. Those who wish to play water polo in high school currently must attend schools out of the district, prompting the sport's advocates to argue that the added funds from increased enrollment of students no longer leaving the district would offset costs Costs for which funds have been appropriated but will not be obligated because of a contingency operation. See also contingency operation. of adding the new teams. ``I believe there is a growing movement and interest in the sport,'' said Pete Loporchio, a coach from the Santa Clarita Water Polo Club, who also coaches at Crescenta Valley The Crescenta Valley is a small inland valley in Los Angeles County, California. Its name derives from its crescent-like shape, with the convex portion facing roughly northeast and the concave portion southwest. High of La Crescenta. Supporters began meeting with the school principals Oct. 12 and have since given presentations at each of the high schools. The next step is meeting with district Superintendent District Superintendent may be:
``I played on Hart's team back when I was in high school, and my son, who is a freshman, would like to be able to play there, too,'' Miaidin said. ``They have great swimmers out here. The sport would be a natural fit.'' For a long time, facilities were an issue but that's not a problem now with the aquatics center. Interest is really growing.'' If water polo becomes a Foothill League sport, the boys would play in the fall, and the girls in the winter. |
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