San Antonio, TX - October 31 - The 2022 UIL State Water Polo Tournament took place this past weekend at the Josh Davis Natatorium in San Antonio, TX! The first ever UIL-sanctioned State Champions were crowned in Girls and Boys 6A divisions, with Foster High School claiming top honors for Girls and Brazoswood High School earning the top spot for Boys.
"There's no doubt at our UIL State Championships there's a ton of excitement, but there's this extra level of energy in the [building] because this is historical. It's the first ever State Championship for both the girls and the boys," UIL Athletic Director Dr. Susan Elza said. "These [student-athletes] have been competing for their schools but it's been non-UIL and for them to feel like they are in position to maybe win a State Championship and get that UIL trophy and get those gold medals - the energy is through the roof in here."
The Foster Falcons Girls left no doubt early in the State Championship against Brazoswood High School, as the Falcons scored the game's first six goals and never looked back. Brazoswood got on the board for the first time halfway through the second period before Foster added another before halftime, giving them a 7-1 advantage at the break. From there, the teams equaled each other's output in the second half. Foster and Brazoswood both scored twice in the third period and three times in the final frame as the Foster Falcons claimed the inaugural UIL Girls State Championship, 12-6! Senior Lola Trujillo was named MVP of the game with six goals, four steals, and two assists.
Foster defeated Carroll Senior High School in the State Semifinal, 10-7, behind four goals, two assists, and two steals from Kinley Niles. Brazoswood bested Brandeis High School, 15-4, in the second semifinal with seven goals, three steals, and one assist from Mallory Kesler.
The Brazoswood Buccaneers Boys and Boerne Champion were locked in a close contest early during the State Championship game. The teams traded three goals apiece in the first period before Brazoswood began to seize control. In the second period, Brazoswood scored five times while Boerne Champion added another three as the Bucs led 8-6 at the midway point. Brazoswood expanded on their lead in the second half, outscoring Boerne Champion 5-2 and 6-2 in the final two periods, as the Brazoswood Buccaneers earned the first ever UIL Boys State Championship, 19-10! Senior Anthony Sury was named MVP of the game with six goals, one assist, and one steal.
Brazoswood defeated Carroll Senior High School in the State Semifinal, 16-14, behind another six goals, one assist, and one steal from Sury. Boerne Champion beat Foster High School, 11-7, in the second semifinal with five goals and seven steals from Bexon Harrison.
"This is amazing. It was very exciting when the UIL came to us and asked if they could come here," NEISD Aquatics Director & Host of the State Tournament Bill Spurgeon said. "Josh Davis Natatorium was actually perfectly built for this with the horseshoe style seating upstairs, so we can get a lot of people right on top of the pool. It's very exciting and very loud."
Following the State Tournament, the Texas Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association (TISCA) selected the All-Tournament Teams listed below.
Conference 6A - Girls
Lola Trujillo / Senior / Richmond Foster
Clara McKee / Junior / Richmond Foster
Dalia Kohn / Senior / Richmond Foster
Gigi Lower / Sophomore / Clute Brazoswood
Mallory Kesler / Sophomore / Clute Brazoswood
Grace Goldhammer / Junior / Northside Brandeis
JoJo Walters / Junior / Southlake Carroll
Conference 6A - Boys
Anthony Sury / Senior / Clute Brazoswood
Mason Potter / Junior / Clute Brazoswood
Jayden Arana / Senior / Clute Brazoswood
Ethan Roecker / Junior / Boerne Champion
Bexon Harrison / Sophomore / Boerne Champion
David Valderama / Senior / Southlake Carroll
Elijah Molina / Junior / Richmond Foster
