Grade 8 student Alana Ponce traveled to Geneva, Ohio, this past weekend to participate in the East/West National Water Polo Championships. There were 62 athletes present in Grades 8 and below representing the Mountain, Midwest, Southeast, Southwest and Pacific Northwest zones. Alana was the only athlete from the Pacific Northwest zone.

Due to the fact that each team needs at least 7 players Alana was placed in the Grade 10 and under group, which had 14 athletes from Washington and Oregon. Alana's team remained undefeated throughout the weekend and came away with a Gold Medal in the 10th Grade and under group.

At the end of tournament play Alana was selected to continue on to the National Training Selection camp May 24-27. Only a handful of athletes are selected each year to compete in Long Beach, California, for 28 spots on the National Cadet team. From this group, 14 are selected from around the United States to be on the traveling team, which plays other National Water Polo teams in other countries. Last year Alana made the top 28 athletes in the development team, and this year an even greater challenge presents itself: attaining a spot on the National Cadet team, comprising of athletes in the 10th grade and under. Congratulations Alana!