NEWS

The second weekend of the USPA Middle School League turned out to be just as exciting as the first. Eight players combined to make two teams at the Powers Polo School Middle School Tournament in East Palestine, Pennsylvania. The Blue Chameleon’s Jack Whitman struck first and often, scoring the first four goals of the game. With help from teammates Reese Zimmerman and Kaitlyn Gaulin, the Blue Chameleons held the Darlington Destroyers scoreless until Ethan Seikel got his team on the scoreboard with a goal from the field. Shirley Horvath extended the Blue Chameleon’s lead with two more tallies before the horn sounded in the first chukker.

Seikel came out firing on all cylinders for his team in the second chukker, finding the goal four times to close the gap to a single score. With the help of teammates Grace Pritchard and Madysen Block, the Darlington Destroyers held the Chameleons to a pony goal and a score from Whitman to close out the chukker with the Blue Chameleons leading 8-5 at halftime.

A defensive battle ensued in the third chukker. Whitman and Seth Goehring traded goals, and Goehring added another tally to pull his team within two heading into the final chukker. Horvath and Whitman struck first in the fourth chukker, combining for three goals for the Blue Chameleons. Seikel and Goehring each found their mark, narrowing the gap to three, but the Darlington Destroyers would run out of time on their comeback. Whitman and Seikel traded goals before the final horn, leaving the Blue Chameleons on top, 13-10.

Seth Goehring, Shirley Horvath, Ethan Seikel, and Jack Whitman were elected as tournament All-Stars and Grace Pritchard was chosen as the Sportsmanship Award recipient. Reese Zimmerman’s Pandora was chosen as the tournament’s Best Playing Pony.

Middle School Tournament action continues this weekend at Marlan Farm in Freeland, Maryland, and NWA Polo Club in Gravette, Arkansas.