NEWS

Six teams representing top youth arena talent from across the country arrived at Brookshire Polo Club in Brookshire, Texas, on Wednesday, March 6, for a chance to claim the coveted Open National Interscholastic Championship. Battling over three days of competition, the finale on Sunday, March 10, pitted two-time defending champions and current Central Regional winners Houston (Judah Altic, Lily Lequerica, Joe Bob Lequerica, Tomas Tejera, Asa Gangjee) 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 Open National Interscholastic Championship three-peat.

Kicking-off quarterfinal action, a contest between the tournament’s two newcomers, resulted in St. Croix securing their spot in the semifinals over fellow Wildcard entry Waiki’i (Charles Tang, Benjamin Tang, Ethan Matsui, Paxton Best). In the second match of Wednesday’s doubleheader, Western Regional champion Lakeside (Faris Hanna, Kylie Matthews, Luca Abboud, Cameron Muteanu, Sebastian Lopez) took down Southeastern Regional champions Maryland (Jonathan Dingus, Kylie Williamson, Mya Quarcoopome, Russell Calkins).

St. Croix faced Northeastern Regional champion Yale (Naomi Tachibana Marlough, Sophia DeAngelis, Malachi Light, Phillip DeAngelis) in the first semifinal of the tournament. Tied at halftime, St. Croix broke through in the third chukker to score four unanswered goals, ultimately sending the team from Wisconsin to their first Open National Interscholastic Championship final.

In a rematch of the 2023 final, Houston squared off against Lakeside for the remaining finalist spot. Leading by three goals entering the third, Houston separated from their familiar foes in the second half. Assembling an impressive six-goal unanswered run, a dominant Houston galloped their way back into the championship game.

Speaking to the development of Houston over the season, Gangjee shared, “We put in a lot of work to be as fluid of a team as possible. We were lucky enough to play multiple very fast-paced games against other teams leading up to nationals. This allowed us to get used to the fast nature of national games, so we could perform our best under pressure. Also, practicing frequently allowed our team to gain a more homogeneous play style so we could work better as a team and cover one another’s weaknesses.”

Assembling for the finale on a crisp Sunday morning, the two determined teams quickly turned-up the heat. Despite, St. Croix striking first with a goal from Camila Pizzaro four combined goals from the Lequerica siblings doubled up Houston's advantage 4-2 at the end of the first.

The second chukker was a game of defense, as both teams worked diligently to quell their opponents’ opportunities. Limiting St. Croix to a single conversion from Robert Pizarro, Joe Bob Lequerica added two goals to the scoreboard, maintaining Houston’s lead at halftime 6-3.

“St. Croix is very similar to our team dynamics-wise,” noted Lily Lequerica on Houston’s strategy, “We met before the final to watch film and we knew we had to keep the ball away from Robbie Pizarro as much as possible. I was tasked with lining-up with Robbie whenever he went in the lineup on their set plays, and most of the time, Joe Bob would send me to pick him. We also knew we had to really capitalize when we had our horses. We knew we could beat them in transitions on our horses, so we made sure to move the ball a lot during those chukkers.”

Strong riding and quick mallet work from Joe Bob Lequerica began to pad Houston’s lead in the second half, contributing four goals in the third chukker. Despite the mounting pressure, St. Croix managed to stay within striking distance, thanks to two pivotal conversions by Robert Pizarro, bringing his team within four entering the final chukker.

St. Croix kick-started the last period with a penalty shot off the mallet of Robert Pizzaro. Securing two penalty goals in response, Joe Bob Lequerica hit his tenth of the day, as his older sister Lily drilled a final goal to secure Houston’s third consecutive (2022, 2023, 2024) Open National Interscholastic Championship title 13-7.

Earning the three-peat for the first time since Toronto captured the title from 2006 to 2009, Altic expressed, “It felt unreal winning nationals three-times in a row. It meant the world to me getting to play with Lily one last time before she goes to college. Lily and Joe Bob are two amazing, devoted, and hard-working polo players.” Leading Houston with 10 goals in the final, Joe Bob added, “a lot of hard work allowed for the three-peat this year. It means a lot to me because my sister has always been my best teammate and we play so well together, it felt really good to send her off with a win.”

All-Stars were awarded to Joe Bob Lequerica (Houston), Robert Pizarro (St. Croix), Lily Lequerica (Houston) and Sophia DeAngelis (Yale). The Sportsmanship Award was presented to Robert Pizzaro for his continued positive attitude, fairness and support for his peers on and off the field. Demonstrating consistent riding ability and equine care throughout the week, Joe Bob Lequerica received the Horsemanship Award. Best Playing Pony was presented to Jaguar, owned by George Dill and Best Playing String was awarded to Houston Polo Club.

Ending her final year of Intercollegiate/Interscholastic (I/I) polo with a national championship victory, Lily Lequerica shared, “My I/I experience was nothing short of amazing. I got to play with and against close friends, got to ride some amazing horses and was a part of two National Championship wins [2023, 2024].”

Lequerica elaborated on the experience of playing for Houston, "I/I polo gives an opportunity to build relationships with your teammates all season through practices and team meetings. The relationships I have with my Houston I/I teammates are life-long friendships that were built through arena polo.”

All Photos courtesy of ©David Murrell.