Eight Players With Ties to O.C. to Play for U.S.

Eight players with Orange County ties will represent the United States in the North American Junior Water Polo Championships Dec. 28-30 at El Toro High School.

UC Irvine’s Ryan Bailey, Brandon Stout, a UCLA player from El Toro High, and goalkeeper Craig Thomas, an Air Force player from Esperanza High, will play for the U.S. junior team. The junior team is coached by Foothill High Coach Jim Brumm.

Goalkeeper Greg Stoll (El Toro), Brian Brown (Foothill), Brian Heifferon (Servite), Rob Mattivi (Servite) and Jerry Smith (Servite) play for the U.S. youth team.

Two teams each from Mexico and Canada also will compete. There are two sessions daily, starting at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. The title game is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Dec. 30.