Breaker Boys Collect Medals at Jr. Olympics

July 14, 2016

1506

Barry Greenough, left, with is dad, Jeff, with the third place trophy and medal from the 18-open division. Greenough’s Manhattan Beach squad finish third in the top division of the Junior Olympics. Greenough returns to Laguna for his senior season next spring.

Cole Paxson made it back from Havana in time to collect a gold medal as his club team, Balboa Bay 17-1, took top honors in the USA Volleyball Junior Olympics in Dallas.

He joined five other Breakers with hardware from the annual volleyball event held June 29 through July 6.

Earlier on June 29, the USA Volleyball boys under 19 squad lost to Cuba 25-22, 21-25, 19-25, 25-23, 11-15 in the finals of the NORCECA championships, but still earned a bid to the World Championships next year.

The USA team defeated Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, and Mexico to reach the finals. Cole was singled out by the USA coach for his exceptional play.

How Laguna Beach HS players did at JO’s (Class year):

Boys (Dallas Texas)

18-Open: Barry Greenough (‘17), Manhattan Beach Surf 3^rd Bronze

Tyler Alter (‘16), 949 18 Black 9^th

Pete Obradovich (’17), Balboa Bay 18-White 25^th

17-Open: Cole Paxson (‘17), Balboa Bay 17-Blue 1^st Gold

16-Open: Sam Burgi (’18), 949 16 Black 1^st Gold

15-Open George Knapp(’19), Balboa Bay 15-Blue 1^st Gold

Ayrton Garcia (’19), Balboa Bay 15-Blue 1^st Gold

Enzo Sadler (’19), 949 15 Black 5^th

14-Open Bryce Dvorak(‘20), Balboa Bay 14-Blue 1^st Gold

Girls (Indianapolis, IN)

18-Open: Sage Patchell (’16), T-Street 18 Shawn 10^th

Jamie Robbins (’16), T-Street 18 Shawn 10^th

18-USA: Aspen Rocha (’16), Prime 18 Asics 31^st

18-American: Aleya Post (’18), T-Street 18 Randy 27^th

16-Open: Lexi McKeown (’18), Laguna 16-1 9^th

16-American: Chloe Edep (’18) A4 Volley 16-Purple 33^rd

: Laguna Beach boys Patrick Vorenkamp, top, second from left, and Sam Burgi, top, second from right, among the 949 Volleyball players who came home with gold from a Dallas tournament. They are coached by Kari Pestolesi, top far right, and Tom Pestolesi, top far left. — Laguna Beach boys Patrick Vorenkamp, top, second from left, and Sam Burgi, top, second from right, among the 949 Volleyball players who came home with gold from a Dallas tournament. They are coached by Kari Pestolesi, top far right, and Tom Pestolesi, top far left.

The 16-year-old boys in the 949 Volleyball team from San Juan Capistrano won gold at the Junior Olympic championships in Dallas last week, their second consecutive title.

“The kids and coaches are really close and the family support is amazing,” said Lori Kahn, mother of Laguna Beach native Sam Burgi, who plays for the club and the Laguna Beach High School varsity team. Justin DeBlasio and Brandon Taliaferro started the club in 2009.

USA Volleyball is the national governing body for the sport and recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee.