Craig Is in a Strong Position to Dominate

Kami Craig figures that, all in all, she has had a pretty good haul over the last few months.

“I’ve got a gold medal and a CIF championship,” she says, ticking off the highlights one by one. “I’d say that’s a good way to end my high school career.”

After scoring 90 goals and drawing 61 ejections on opponents while leading Santa Barbara to its third consecutive Southern Section Division IV title, Craig, a senior center, can add her selection as The Times’ girls’ water polo player of the year to her list of awards, rewards and accolades.

“I think, player for player, she’s the best and the most dominant at her position,” Santa Barbara Coach Mark Walsh said. “I think most coaches, if they were picking their teams, they’d pick her first.”

That’s not just in high school, either.

Craig could also soon be among the first options for the USC women’s water polo team and the U.S. senior national team. With the high school season over, she is training in earnest to play for both within the next few months.

“She would be the prototype that you would look for at her position,” said Guy Baker, the former U.S. women’s national team coach who took over the men’s team in January.

“She’s lean and strong and she’s a tremendous athlete. As far as position-wise, she’s the best player in Southern California, especially at the high school level.”

Besides the Southern Section title she helped Santa Barbara (25-6) win with two goals in an 18-7 victory over Agoura in the Division IV final Feb. 28, Craig, who is 5 feet 11 and 180 pounds, has earned a full athletic scholarship to USC.

The gold medal she earned was as a member of the U.S. junior women’s national team that defeated Russia, 11-9, to win the 2005 FINA Junior Women’s World Championships in Perth, Australia, on Jan. 30. Craig scored seven goals -- including four in a victory over China -- in six tournament games.

Craig’s performance at the Junior World Championships was another step that national-team coaches hope will lead to a place on U.S. Olympic teams in 2008 and beyond.

“She did nothing to hurt her prospects,” Baker said. “She’ll be in the mix over the next four years -- that’ll definitely happen.”

Craig will train with the senior national team, competing in the Senior World League over the summer in hopes of being selected to play in the 2005 FINA Senior Women’s World Championships, which are set for July 17 to 31 in Montreal.

“I feel like I’ve accomplished a lot,” she said. “But I still feel very young in the sport and I still have a lot of room to grow, so I’m excited for the chance to take that next step.”

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Girls’ Water Polo All-Star Team

*--* FIRST TEAM Camille Hewko Corona del Mar Jr. Led Division II champion Corona del Mar with 21 assists, was second on team with 49 goals and third with 34 steals. Kami Craig Santa Barbara Sr. Scored twice in Division IV final and finished with 90 goals and 61 ejections drawn under heavy defensive pressure. Brittany Fullen Corona del Mar Sr. Two-time Division II player of the year used height and range to make 243 saves, and her outlet passing was crucial to counterattack. Grace Reynolds Foothill Jr. Led Knights to Division I title, as well as titles in the Santa Barbara tournament and Irvine/Southern California Championships. Lauren Silver L. Beach Wilson Sr. Member of the U.S. National Youth team will take her talents to Stanford next season. Ashling Taylor Newport Harbor Sr. Versatile player had 78 goals, 60 steals and 18 assists in leading Sailors to second consecutive Division I final match. Darby Anderson Santa Margarita Jr. Had team highs of 90 goals, 62 steals and 53 ejections drawn as Eagles beat all the best teams and reached Division I semifinals. Coach of the Year Dave Mikesell Foothill Guided Foothill to its fifth Division I title in its sixth consecutive finals appearance as Knights ended season on a 16-game winning streak. SECOND TEAM Meghan Corso Agoura Jr. Jessica Coy Temple City Sr. Anne Belden Newport Harbor Sr. Jordan Anae Corona del Mar Sr. Addison Doud Laguna Beach Sr. Lauren Burke Los Alamitos Sr. Jenna Schuster Upland Sr.

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