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Avendano Junior Tournament A Smashing Success |
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GJ Racing defeated Patagones to win the final of the Avendano Junior Tournament at the International Polo Club Palm Beach. Leading up to the finals, eight teams played to determine who would advance to the semifinals. Dutta Corp. defeated Palm City Polo 3-2. Patagones and Grand Champions tied 2-2, but Patagones won according to Rainbow Rule (the ball is thrown in from the center, and the first team to get the ball over the backline is the tiebreaker winner).
The Avendano Junior Tournament, hosted by the Polo Training Foundation, is a tournament for polo players ages 15 and under. Participants are divided by experience level and placed on appropriate teams so matches are fair for all players. At the most advanced level, teams play two chukkers that last seven minutes each. From lead line through advanced play, the atmosphere is welcoming and fun in addition to competitive.
In their first match, Patagones made a penalty conversion to win at the end of the second chukker and moved on to the finals match. GJ Racing took on Stefano Laviano, winning 2-0. Casablanca won over Nano’s Mallets, advancing to the semifinals. The semifinal was an evenly matched contest that went into overtime with Lucas Arellano scoring the winning goal for GJ Racing.
The final match was fast-paced from the start. Candelaria Araujo dodged defenders to score for GJ Racing. Joaquin Avendano of Patagones made an impressive cut shot but went wide of the goal. Mackenzie Weisz drove a second score in for GJ Racing, ending the first chukker 2-0. Lucas Arellano scored the lone goal in the second chukker on a penalty conversion that cemented the win for GJ Racing.
Mackenzie Weisz, who played for GJ Racing, was named MVP of the final match. This year was his fifth time playing in the Avendano Junior Tournament. “I thought we played really well,” said Weisz. “We stuck with our man and didn’t give up. We followed each other.” Gonzalo Avendano, son of tournament founder Carlos Avendano, said he believes it is a valuable experience for young players. “I think it’s the first step for any player,” said Avendano. “Today many of the players who have played in the U.S. Open have started here in this tournament.”
Results: Advanced A: 2nd Place: Patagones Advanced B: 2nd Place: Blue Water Creek Polo Club Upper Intermediate: 2nd Place: PTF 3rd Place: Huskies Middle Intermediate: Carson Wilt
2nd Place: Polo School at Grand Champions 3rd Place: Polographics Lower Intermediate: 2nd Place: La Martina Walk Trot Canter: The Morning Line Walk Trot: Wildcats Leadline Division: |
