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Ripon Renegades 16U, 14U qualify for Junior Olympics
Ripon Aquatics water polo
Brody Biedermann of the Ripon Renegades 16-under team defends a shot against Royal Black in the Central Zone Junior Olympic Qualifiers this past weekend. Photo contributed

The Ripon Renegades 16-under and 14-under boys water polo teams earned berths to the Junior Olympics after placing in the top 11 of the Central California Zone JO Qualifier this past weekend in Clovis.

The 16-under team took ninth out of 21 teams following a grueling seven-game stretch over three days. The 14U team placed eighth.

“Us coaches are so proud of all the teams that competed,” Ripon coach Christian John Britton said. “They showed tremendous resilience, competitive drive, and grit the entire weekend. Collectively, they are a special group of kids with incredibly bright futures both in the pool and out.”

The 16-under Renegades went 4-3, getting wins over Central Valley United (13-7), Big Valley ‘B’ (13-5), Cal Republic ‘C’ (5-3) and Royal Red (9-8). Losses came against Big Valley ‘A; (16-9), Sac Black (8-6) and Royal Black (11-5).

Ben Svoboda netted a goal in every game for Ripon and totaled a team-high 15 to go with 10 assists and 20 steals. Ben Rodgers was in goal for the entire tournament, amassing 32 saves including nine in the hard-earned tourney finale win over Royal Red.

McKeane Beier (14 goals, two assists, six steals), Brody Biedermann (12 goals, nine assists, eight steals) and Teo West (nine goals, 11 assists, 15 steals) were other performers for the Renegades. Beier, Biedermann and Svoboda each had a five-goal game.

Ryan Bell (goal, two assists, steal), Jared Warter (one goal, one assist, four steals) and Curtiss (five goals, five assists, four steals) also contributed.

The Junior Olympics takes place July 16-19 in San Jose.

 

14-under

Ripon Aquatics water polo
The Ripon Renegades 14-under team, from left: Coach Christian Britton, Bowen West, Auggie Lee, Andrew Hanker, Nathan Trujillo, T.J. Corgiat, Brody Biedermann, Lucas, Rietkerk, Matthew Lee, Joel Geddes, Trevor Bell, Deven Patel and Coach Erik Zador. Photo contributed

Ripon won two of three matches, defeating Rebel (9-5) and Arroyo Grande (12-9) before falling to Central Valley United, 11-6.

The team is comprised of Chethan Harvey, Joel Geddes, Andrew Hanker, Trevor Bell, Deven Patel, Bowen West, Matthew Lee, Auggie Lee, Nathan Trujillo, Lucas Rietkerk and T.J. Corgiat.