The 805 Santa Barbara Water Polo Club’s 12U Boys won a bronze medal in the Gold Division at the 2021 USA Water Polo Junior Olympics in Orange County this week.

This is the first Junior Olympics medal for the 12s, who rebounded from 15-7 loss in the semifinals against Poway and defeated Rancho Tsunami 16-13 for the bronze.

Paolo Borgioli and Lucas Neushul led the offense for the 12s, while Mason Walsh was outstanding anchoring the defense in goal, said team coaches Peera Sukavivatanachai and Stephen Neushul.

The 12U Boys include Ty Abel, Adrian Aldapa, Paolo Borgioli, Jake Dollar, Gunnar Marshal, Grant Nelson, Lucas Neushul, Indiana Roth, Kumani Roth, Utah Roth, Ryder Wilson and Mason Walsh.

The Junior Olympics continue with girls competition. 805 Santa Barbara is fielding eight teams, including a first-ever 10U girls’ team. The 16U girls won a Silver Medal at the 2021 Club Championships and are favorites to medal over the weekend. 

The 805 club has three alumni players on Team USA at the Olympics in Tokyo: Jamie Neushul, Paige Hauschild and Amanda Longan. The U.S. opens play Friday against host Japan.

The Junior Olympics, the largest youth water polo tournament in the country, returned after last year’s event was called off due to the COVID-19 pandemic.