Kredell Cut as Team Whittled to 13

The U.S. Olympic water polo team, which took fifth place in a tournament in Italy over the weekend, was trimmed to 13 members as Chi Kredell of Seal Beach was released.

Five team members played in the 1992 Olympics, and team captain Chris Duplanty and Mike Evans will be competing in their third consecutive Olympics.

“This team has great end-to-end speed and there is no doubt in my mind we are the fastest team in the world,” U.S. Coach Richard Corso said. “Our fitness and our residence training program are going to pay big dividends in the Olympic Games.”

In Rome, the United States played without its top two-meter men, Chris Humbert (sore right shoulder) and Kyle Kopp (inflamed left elbow). At the tournament, the U.S tied Australia and Spain, lost to Italy and defeated Russia.