Women's Senior Nationals and UANA: Risk Versus Reward

Image: World Swimming Magazine

For many athletes, Summer is either a time to relax before the season or continue to train for the new year.

The USA Water Polo Senior Nationals is no exception, as the tournament becomes more exclusive with an Invitation Only format versus the Open style of previous years. Featuring the 2017 USA Open Champions, The New York Athletic Club, along with mostly collegiate teams. This year also featured the USA Water Polo Women's Youth National Team.

However, the weekend also conflicted with the Union Americana De Natacion (UANA) Junior Pan American Games. This is a tournament featuring teams from Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Venezuela. This year the tournament was hosted by the US in Clearwater, Florida.

However, the participation of the Youth Team was had an average age of 15 years old, including one selection from the Cadet National Team in Emily Asumus. The Junior National Team, which consisted o collegiate bound athletes such as Ryann Neushul (younger sister of 2016 Olympian Kiley Neushul, and two time National Champion Jamie Neushul) were out West in the Senior Nationals.

So what kind of parity is there among the various National Teams? This is considering, the Women's Senior National Team consists of world class players such as Maggie Steffens and Ashleigh Johnson, longtime water polo greats such as Melissa Seidemann, and collegiate stars such as Amanda Longan, Paige Hauschild, Makenzie and Aria Fischer, and Maddie Musselman.

Granted, for a team in which the average age is 15 years old, competing against international players bound for college (Team Canada had three on their team whom have committed to play for The University of Michigan, Arizona State University, and Marist College in the fall), is a challenge. So is competing for a nation which has won gold at the highest level of international competition since 2012.

So what is the risk of having younger players compete at top international competitions? The Youth squad in Florida finished in third, while their other counterparts finished seventh at Senior Nationals.

The idea of higher level competition to improve is crucial and very important for further growth. However, if the future is competing against the likes of players whom assert dominance regardless of international scene who really benefits?