OPEN NATIONAL INTERSCHOLASTIC CHAMPIONSHIP
TOURNAMENT HISTORY
Established in 1928, the Open National Interscholastic Championship (ONIS) is part of the United States Polo Association's Intercollegiate/Interscholastic (I/I) polo program, which is dedicated to growing the sport by providing exposure, coordinating activities, recruiting collegiate and scholastic institutions and providing organized competition at regional and national levels with an emphasis on sportsmanship, fairness and safety.
Hoisting the George C. Sherman trophy 11 times between 1970 and 1989, Culver Military Academy (Culver, Indiana) holds the record for Open National Interscholastic Championship wins. Close behind with 10 titles, Lawrenceville School's dominance includes eight straight Championships from 1934-1941. Contemporary winners include Toronto (2006, 2007, 2008), Midland (2009), Eldorado (2010) Cowtown/WTR (2011, 2012), Natania (2013, 2014), West Shore (2015), Prestonwood (2016, 2019), Maryland (2017, 2018), Gardnertown (2021) and most recently Houston (2022, 2023, 2024), earning a three-peat for the first time since Toronto in the mid-2000s.
In 2024, two-time reigning champions Houston (Judah Altic, Lily Lequerica, Joe Bob Lequerica, Tomas Tejera, Asa Gangjee) went head-to-head against Wisconsin’s Wildcard contender St. Croix (Robert Pizarro, Sophia Pizarro, Camila Pizarro, Chance Miller). A family affair, featuring nine sibling competitors throughout the tournament, the finale included the experienced Houston duo Joe Bob and Lily Lequerica against the St. Croix Pizzaro trio of Robert, Sophia and Camila. Excelling in open play, Houston’s hot start and formidable defense, combined with 13 goals from the Lequericas, ultimately earned Houston the 13-7 victory and prestigious three-peat. Read article here.
Moving to the West Coast, five teams will represent youth arena talent from across the country in the Open National Interscholastic Championship, hosted by Empire Polo Club, in Coachella, California. Returning to defend the title, Central Regional champions Houston, from Houston, Texas, seeks to continue its recent domination, vying for a fourth consecutive title to match the historical reign of Culver Military Academy in the early 80s. Each vying for their first championship title, 2024 finalists and this year's At-Large Selection St. Croix, based out of Woodville, Wisconsin, will be joined by Regional winners Battlefield from Gainesville, Virginia (Southeastern), Kingswood hailing from East Kingston, New Hampshire (Northeastern), and Waiki'i, all the way from Waimea, Hawaii (Western).
Photo: 2024 Open National Interscholastic Championship Winners: Houston - Asa Gangjee, Judah Altic, Coach Mark Prinsloo, Assistant Coach Shane Rice, Joe Bob Lequerica, Lily Lequerica. ©David Murrell
