A number of local water polo players were in Los Angelas recently to participate for Team Sask at the Sailor's Cup. 

Lucinda Milford recaps the event.

"Estevan Sharks Josie Andrist, Alex Andrist and Mikayla Hack along with Cameron Gillingham, Lyndon Sauder, Tristan and Nathan Threinen, Ethan Elliott and Dierks Milford joined their Team Sask teammates to compete in the Sailor Cup in California on May 19-20."

"With strong goaltending by Josie Andrist and balls hitting the back of the net by Alex Andrist and Mikayla Hack, they helped their team beat the Palms Verdes team 9-1, the Thunder Team 9-8 and the Huntington Beach team 10-3. This put them in the gold medal game against SoCal Gold. The girls fought hard but ended with a score of 2-7 taking home the silver medal in the gold division. Josie Andrist received a trophy for Most Valuable Goalie. The girls learned many new skills and plays during this tournament that they will be able to bring back to their individual clubs."

"Saturday morning started with the boys playing 4 games at the San Clemente pool. They lost the first game 5-0. They won their second against the Pride 7-4. They played again shortly after and won in a shootout against Foothill Black. It was very intense. They ended the day against Trojan Gold and took a loss 12-9. Sunday they were back at it again, this time at Costa Mesa. They had a tough game against SOCAL and lost 8-4. They finished the tournament with their last game and won 9-8."

"The boys all played their hearts out and they all worked very hard and together all week in the pool. They learned so much and never gave up. It was so amazing to watch these athletes get in the pool against clubs that play year round and train 5 days a week and come out with such amazing games. They finished 9th overall with a 3-3 record."

"For our teams to come in and go and play at that calibre, it is quite a joyful experience for them to come in at 9th place."

"All six boys played unbelievably. Cameron Gillingham had a fantastic tournament with many goals and also his outstanding ball handling. Tristan Threinen, Lyndon Sauder, Dierks Milford had some great defensive plays and Ethan Elliott and Nathan Threinen were right there to move the ball when needed. They all communicated and worked well together."

"They had an absolute blast, it was such an incredible experience for them."

In addition to all the scrimmages and tournament, the team was also able to take some time to visit local landmarks like the Hollywood sign, Knoxberry Farm, and do plenty of shopping and even took surfing lessons.

"They had pretty hard training the first couple days. Then they went into a pretty tough tournament. the clubs that they were against, there were some from Texas but most were from California, and these kids train five days a week, year-round."

The kids were also introduced to playing outdoors, with the rain one day and the sunshine the next as well as a number of different coached.

"They learned many new drills and plays and they came together very strongly as a team. They all just jumped in and came together as a team."

"We knew we were going for the experience, we knew we were going to play and have an incredible experience but to watch them come through and overcome and come back, it's amazing to watch. They enjoyed every possible second of it."

She added that the entire experience was very busy but one that the kids will take with them for the rest of their lives. The water polo season will start back up again in October.