Summer Interlude: Water Polo

I have driven out to Riverside to watch the Gauchos take on the Highlanders in basketball, I have have taken the train downtown to watch the Gauchos take on the Trojans in basketball, I could drive beyond the Orange Curtain when they take on Fullerton, but rare are the times when I can ride to watch the 'chos take on... anyone. I think, before today, that the only time it happened was when I stumbled upon a soccer match down the street at the Claremont Colleges, where UCSB was visiting. So it was especially cool (and doubly so because they upset the Collegiate #1 team) to be able to leisurely ride over to LaVerne for a second day match up of the Inland Empire Classic. Saturday (at the University of Redlands) the Gauchos took three wins, and would be looking for another two on Sunday at La Verne's Las Flores Park pool. To run a perfect 5-0 record in the tournament they would have to overcome the #1 Trojans of USC (as well as Claremont McKenna in the afternoon); ranked #4, the Gauchos have quite a respectable team, but I am not sure anyone could have predicated their domination in the day's premier match. 

I have watched water polo on television but, as with most things, that vantage pales in comparison to watching live action - action being the key word, as that stuff never lets up. Back and forth, and splashing, and shooting, and blocking, and goals; it is as physical as you have ever been led to believe, and was a great way to spend a late morning on Sunday.

These photos and more in Google album at: https://photos.app.goo.gl/ea7eZCdnkjBKzoRt6