Kurzeka honored as top newcomer

Agoura High water polo standout Peter Kurzeka was named Newcomer of the Year at the Premier League Championships in Los Alamitos.

The tournament featured all of the top players from USA Water Polo. Kurzeka scored six goals in the tournament and played a significant amount of minutes to help lead his team, the Los Angeles Water Polo Club, to a thirdplace finish. Kurzeka will attend USC this fall.

Kurzeka was also selected to the Premier League All-Star team that is currently competing in the America's Cup Water Polo Tournament at Oaks Christian.

"The America's Cup is the closest thing that we have to an Olympic trial for water polo," USA Polo head coach Terry Schroeder said.

"The national team will be cut down to 18 players after this tournament, so this proves to be a very competitive tournament."

The USA national team has 24 players on its roster. Team USA has been divided into two teams- Red and Blue- for this tournament, which also features the Canadian national team and the Premier League All-Stars.

The event runs through Saturday. For tickets, visit the websites www.mwpolo.org or www.usawaterpolo.org.

- Wayne Bean