Stanchi selected to US National Team
Over Memorial Day weekend, Bellevue sophomore Marco Stanchi was selected to USA Water Polo’s National Cadet Team. The National Cadet Team consists of 28 of the country’s best 9th and 10th grade players, represents the United States in international tournaments, and serves as the pipeline for the Olympic Team. With the selection, Stanchi becomes the second Wolverine in program history to earn a spot on a US National Team, joining Huston Middlesworth (’09).
In late June, Stanchi will join fellow National Cadet Team members in California for a week-long training camp. At the camp’s conclusion, thirteen Cadet team members will be chosen to represent the United States at the UANA Pan-America U17 Youth Tournament in Buenos Aires, Argentina in late August.
The selection caps a meteoric rise for the 6’2, 205 pound sophomore. After focusing on swimming through his freshman year, Stanchi did not start playing water polo competitively until last May, joining Rain City Water Polo club for their summer session. In the fall, he helped lead the Wolverines to a second-straight state title, earning First-Team All-State honors in the process. In late November, Stanchi began the seven-month tryout process. Now, barely twelve months into his water polo career, he has earned a spot on the National Team.
Stanchi was the only male athlete and one of two athletes from the state of Washington to be selected to a USA Water Polo National Team. He is one of six two-meter/centers on the Cadet team. He is also one of just six Cadet Team members not from the state of California.
Click here to read a press release about USA Water Polo’s National Team selections.
