INNISFAIL – Two Innisfail Hurricanes water polo players are at the top of their game.
Kayla Richmond, 11, and Olivia Bergeron, 14, are Western Canadian champions.
They took the gold medal and championship title with the 14U Calgary Mako girls' water polo team at the Western Canadian Championships in Calgary from May 10 to12.
The won the championship by defeating the West Coast Warriors from Surrey, B.C. with a winning score of 7-4 in the gold medal game.
"It was great to win it with these girls. This is my second season with Mako and I have made some great friends here,” said Bergeron of her gold medal win. “I'm also proud to represent the Innisfail Hurricanes."
Teams from Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia competed at the 2019 Western Canadian Championships.
Both Richmond and Bergeron have been training and competing with the Calgary club all year. They are coached by John Conway, a former Canadian National Team player.
Innisfail Hurricanes president Ray Bergeron said the club was thrilled to see two Innisfail water polo players earn a gold medal.
“The Innisfail Hurricanes are proud of the dedication and training that both girls put into their season,” said Bergeron. “It is quite an accomplishment for them and their Mako teammates.”
The Calgary Mako had to defeat three tough water polo clubs from B.C. during the tournament to capture the gold, he noted.
Bergeron added the games were all close and physical.
“The semifinal against the Pacific Storm (from Coquitlam) in particular was a tightly contested game with neither team holding more than a one-goal lead throughout the final three quarters,” he said. “With the score tied at eight, Olivia Bergeron scored Mako's ninth goal to take the lead with (just under two minutes) remaining on the clock.
“The Mako defence stood strong, preserved the 9-8 victory and earned a berth in the gold medal game (against) the West Coast Warriors,” he added.
The gold medal game got off to a slow start, said Bergeron, with strong defensive play from both teams. The third quarter saw the Calgary Mako go on the attack, scoring four goals.
Their strong offence continued in the final quarter.
“Mako scored early in the fourth (quarter) to push the lead to 7-2 and while the Warriors tried to mount a comeback late in the game, (scoring two more goals), the Mako defence held on to secure the win and the gold medal,” said Bergeron.
The two Innisfail water polo players had to earn their spots at Westerns.
They did that by winning their first gold medal with the Calgary Mako at the Alberta Water Polo Association 14U provincial championships in Edmonton on April 13 and 14.
“Last year we won bronze (at provincials) so it’s quite a step up,” said Bergeron of her first provincial gold medal. The Mako entered the provincial tournament as the top seed having been undefeated in league play throughout the regular season.
Kayla Richmond, who has played water polo for two years, also competes with the 12U Calgary Mako girls' team.
She too was thrilled to win provincial gold and have the chance to compete at her first Western Canadian Championships.
“It feels awesome. I’m so excited for Westerns,” said Richmond, prior to the tournament. “In 12U they don’t have Westerns so I’m grateful to be on the 14U team and go to Westerns."
