Players Await Pan American Experience

For a moment, Kyle Baumgarner had a clear shot on goal. Baumgarner raised himself high on the water, coiled, then sent the yellow ball rocketing.

As it zipped toward the corner of the goalie net, Jon Pharris got his arm up to block the shot. With a loud splash, the ball bounced to the side.

A whistle’s blast stopped the action, and the players turned to look at Jim Brumm, who stood on the pool deck at Tustin High, nodding and smiling.

“OK, let’s try it again,” he said.

Brumm is coach of the U.S. National Junior Water Polo team, which will defend its title in the Pan American Junior water polo championships, July 20-26, in Havana.

Baumgarner, a recent graduate of Villa Park High, and Pharris, who graduated from Newport Harbor last month, join Todd Hylton of Costa Mesa and Matt Flesher of Brea Olinda as the junior team’s Orange County connection.

The players were selected by U.S. Water Polo during a national tryout that brought 150 hopefuls to Newport Harbor High in May.

“This is my first taste of international play,” said Hylton, who plays the two-meter position. “I’ll be honest, it’s kind of scary, but it’s also exciting. I’ve been training all year to get a shot at this.”

Hylton, who also graduated last month, is a bit anxious about the upcoming international competition. “I understand it’s much more physical than we’re used to in the U.S.,” he said. “Someone told me to get ready for lots of bruises and cuts. It’s definitely not going to be like high school.”

A big change in international play is the size of the playing area, which is five meters longer than in high school.

“That’s probably the biggest adjustment the high school kids need to make,” said Brumm, who coaches the boys’ and girls’ water polo teams at Foothill High. “When you’re playing in a 25-meter pool, you can get the ball down to the other side with 22 seconds [left] to work a play. And you can do a lot in 22 seconds.

“But when the pool is 30 meters, you have less time, and instead of 22 seconds, they’ll have to work [a play] in 12 seconds.”

Brumm said he expects his team to excel in the longer pool because all the members are fast swimmers.

“We’re not huge but we’re quick,” he said. “We have no slugs on this team, and some of these guys can do a 21 [seconds] in the 50 free and a 46 in the 100 [free]. And that can be a big advantage.”

Baumgarner, a 6-foot-4 driver, is one of the fastest swimmers. He and Flesher will play water polo next fall at UCLA.

“This is something you dream about when you start playing water polo,” Baumgarner said. “I know it can get pretty tough out there, but we have a good quick team. I think we’ll be able to handle ourselves.”

Pharris, The Times Orange County first-team goalie last season, will play for Princeton in the fall. “He’s going to Princeton because of his brains,” Baumgarner said, laughing.

Pharris said he is not only looking forward to the competition in Havana, but also the opportunity to experience a different lifestyle.

“I understand Havana is quite different, and the crowds really get behind their teams,” he said. “It should be a lot of fun to play there. And who knows, maybe I’ll be able to bring some cigars home.”

Brumm said this will be his fourth trip to Cuba, and each time has been an experience.

“I remember one time we wanted to go to the beach, and this taxi driver took us there. He also stayed with us the whole time. He then took us to his house and showed us where he lived,” Brumm said.

And the games?

“People come to watch their teams. They bring pots and pans to bang on, and it can get pretty loud.”