Zone 4 Wins the 2015 NYTS Championship in Colorado 7 to 2 ½

LITTLETON, Colo. - Sept. 9, 2015 - PRLog -- The United States Polo Association (USPA) today announced that the National Youth Tournament Series (NYTS) came to a close with  Zone 4 defeating Zone 2 in the final match, 7-2 ½, to claim the Cecil Smith Cup. The finals were played in Littleton, Colo. and were the culmination of several months of intense qualification tournaments.

The final match began with Zone 4’s Tommy Huber scoring two consecutive goals for a 2-½ first chukker lead. Zone 2 received one-half goal by handicap. Goals by Marissa Wells, George Hempt and Tommy Huber (2) went unanswered in the second chukker, with a 6-2½ lead. In the third chukker, Zone 2 came up with two goals from Turner and Evan White. Huber, however, added his fifth goal of the day during the fourth chukker to win the match 7-2 ½.

Tommy Huber was awarded the Matthew Cohen MVP Award, Evan White, Jr. received the Horsemanship Award, and Sloan Stefanakis received the Sportsmanship Award. River, played by Benji Daniels and owned by Grand Champions Polo club, won Best Playing Pony honors.

2015 National Youth Tournament Series Zones 1-4 Rosters:

Zone 1

Vaughn Miller, Jr., 1, Sloan Stefanakis, A.5,  Ronnie Puente, A, Conrad Kissling, 1

Zone 2

Turner Wheaton, 1, Pierce Alworth, A.5, Evan White, Jr., A,  Eddie Margalef, A.5

Zone 3

Benji Daniels, A, Nico Escobar, A.5, Grant Ganzi, 1, Justin Daniels, A.5

Zone 4

Tommy Huber, 1, Marissa Wells, 1, Barrett Coke, A.5, George Hempt, A

In 2013, the USPA created a national tournament series to provide more opportunities for youth players to compete outdoors with and against their peers at a local and national level. In an effort to grow and sustain the sport of polo in the United States, NYTS is a training module that prepares youth for formal outdoor tournament competition, challenges players to get to know their team and identify their opponent’s strengths and weaknesses.

“The championship finals were filled with excitement, and truly showcased the outstanding talent of the youth polo players from across the country,” said Duncan Huyler, United States Polo Association CEO. “We are proud to have these talented individuals leading the way for the future of our sport.”

About the United States Polo Association ®

Founded in 1890, the United States Polo Association (USPA) is the national governing body for the sport of polo in North America and is the second oldest sport governing body in the United States preceded only by the United States Tennis Association. With nearly 300 member clubs and 40 national tournaments, the USPA governs polo handicaps, tournament rules and safety regulations, to ensure the welfare and well being of both pony and player. Funded by sales from the officially licensed consumer brand, U.S. Polo Assn., the USPA purposefully re-invests revenue by underwriting numerous development programs to expand and sustain the sport of polo. For more information please visit www.uspolo.org.