Former Trojan Savors U.S. Victory

Robert Lynn hasn’t enjoyed many happy moments as a member of the U.S. national water polo team. But he was beaming after scoring two goals in a 22-1 victory over Mexico on Wednesday in the opening round of the UPS Cup at Corona del Mar High.

“This is like the happiest tournament I’ve had in the last six years because I’m playing in front of my parents,” Lynn said. “My grandmother is 90 years old and she hasn’t seen me play in the last six or seven years.”

Lynn, who graduated from Long Beach Wilson in 1985 and was a four-time All-American at USC, has distinguished himself overseas, playing professionally in France, Italy and Croatia, but has never experienced success on a U.S. team.

His troubles began in 1991, when he suffered a rotator cuff injury just after the FINA Cup, and the injury carried over into the five-month training camp before the 1992 Olympics.

Lynn recovered, but the decision had already been made by Coach Bill Barnett, now at Newport Harbor High, to cut him a month before the Olympics.

“Being a three-year starter on that team, [getting cut] really changed my plans,” Lynn said.

Lynn played professionally in Europe over the next four years, then tried to come back with the 1996 team, but ran into trouble.

“I think it was personal between me and [Coach Rich Corso],” Lynn said. “He was my junior national team coach, and I had problems with him when I was younger. We never saw eye to eye and I never believed he should have been the man for the job.

“Obviously that wasn’t going to get me on the Olympic team. . . . I had no respect for him, and finishing seventh in the Olympics in Atlanta is nothing to be proud of.”

Lynn then returned to Europe where he blossomed into the most valuable player at the Croatian Cup in 1996, was the leading scorer in the 1996 Greek League final, and scored 75 goals to rank fifth in his Greek League in 1997.

Lynn saw another opportunity with the national team when John Vargas, a teammate on the 1991 team, was named coach shortly after the 1996 Olympics.

Vargas was not only impressed with Lynn’s success in Europe, but with his work ethic, which includes 3,000 yards in the pool before practice each morning.

“He went over and played in Europe and really matured,” Vargas said. “His game improved tremendously. I’m really happy with his defense, especially on the opposing team’s two-meter man.”

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In other tournament games:

Italy 21, Puerto Rico 3--Italy built a 15-0 halftime lead in the opening game. Roberto Calcaterra scored three of his four goals in the opening quarter for Italy.

Russia 11, Brazil 8--Russia held a one-goal lead after three quarters, but outscored Brazil, 4-2, in the fourth.

Yugoslavia 8, Australia 6--Vladimar Vujasinovic scored three goals for Yugoslavia, which led, 4-2, at the half.