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North Penn earns runner-up honors at Pennsylvania Girls Water Polo State Tournament
TOWAMENCIN >> The North Penn girls water polo team fell 10-5 to rival Wilson Saturday night in the state final, but the Knights will remember 2022 as a season defined by overcoming challenges.
“I think we put up a great fight,” said senior Brenna Mancini, in a packed and frenzied Rick Carroll Natatorium. “Even though we didn’t fully rally at the end, we did end on a great note.”
North Penn had advanced to the final by winning a thriller over Wissahickon, 10-8, and the Knights also had an impressive 11-6 win over Cumberland Valley.
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It was a weekend filled with accolades for local squads, including North Penn, which saw Mancini and teammate Anna Evans garner First-Team All-State honors.
“Anna got First Team last year and I knew she would get it again – she’s a fantastic player,” Mancini said. “Getting First Team was a really nice way to end my senior season.”
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The Knights hung tough with Wilson throughout the first half, taking a 1-0 lead early and battling to a 2-2 draw after one quarter.
Wilson led 5-3 at the half.
The third quarter is when the Bulldogs made their move, with Morgan Valariano and Bella Shannon – each First-Team All-State selections – leading the charge. Wilson went on a 3-1 tear to lead 8-4 going into the fourth.
North Penn and Wilson have battled back and forth over the years, meeting several times in the state’s climactic contest.
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Also from the area, coach Jacob Grant earned Co-Coach of the Year honors for the second year in a row, guiding Pennridge to No. 3 in the state. The Rams won a tough battle, 12-7, with rival Wiss in the Third-Place Game.
The Rams’ Adi Garges and Ally Ricciardi earned distinction, landing spots on the All-State First Team. Wissahickon’s Maddie Johnson also earned First-Team All-State honors, leading the Trojans to another fine season.
Upper Dublin capped a tremendous 2022 by defeating Cumberland Valley 12-10 in the Seventh-Place Game.