2005 has been a remarkable year for USA Women’s Water Polo. The senior team brought home silver from the FINA World Championships in Montreal and is currently ranked second in the world, while the juniors are the reigning junior world champions. The USA women’s program has won eight out of the possible nine medals at major world events in the past five years. This powerful program is arguably the best in the world and continues to gain momentum toward the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China.

The Speedo Top 40 Tournament is designed not only to showcase the best athletes in the country, but also to evaluate players for the next Olympic Team.

“The Top 40 Tournament is important for many reasons,” said Women’s National Team Head Coach Guy Baker. “There is a connection between all our teams and to have us all come together to compete at this event only strengthens that bond.”

The team selection process for the elite tournament is currently underway. The four teams will be announced on Thursday, Oct. 13. Each team will be named after one of Speedo’s top selling suits. This year’s team names will be Revolution, Matrix, Spectrum and Splash.

In addition to the Top 40 Tournament, an women’s open tournament and festival will also take place. Twelve women’s teams will participate in the open tournament. The goal of this tournament is to give more athletes exposure to the National Team environment while setting the games in a festival-type atmosphere. Visit www.usawaterpolo.org for information on teams attending.

Festival activities sponsored by Mikasa Sports will surround the pool throughout the weekend. Among the many carnival booths will be a radar gun station, a basketball contest, a full concession stand and much more.

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