ESTEVAN - Two former members of the Estevan Sharks water polo program and one current athlete earned awards at the Water Polo Sask. awards banquet on June 25 in Regina.
Twin sisters Josie and Alex Andrist shared in the Player of the Year award in the senior women's (18-and-over) age division. The Andrists led the senior women's Team Saskatchewan entry to a silver medal at nationals in April in Regina.
During the National Championship League season, the twins were part of a Saskatchewan squad that went 18-2 in league games. They suffered their third loss of the year in the gold medal game against the Calgary Renegades.
Alex has committed to play for the Cal State East Bay Pioneers, which is coached by former Estevan resident Auriel Bill, who is an alumni of the Sharks and the Pioneers.
The Pioneers compete out of Hayward, Calif.
Josie, meanwhile, will compete for the University of Toronto Varsity Blues in an intercollegiate league that plays a lot of games against NCAA opponents. The two sisters' new teams are expected to face each other next season.
Also, the Team Sask player of the year in the 15-and-under girls category was awarded to Mahlyn Bomberak of Estevan.
Bomberak had a successful year as part of the 15U girls' team, which made selections before every tournament. She was selected to attend the Western Finals in Calgary, as well as travel for the Alberta Open. She also was selected for training and a tournament in California this spring.
Bomberak was recognized for her dedication to water polo and making extra effort to attend camps and practices in Regina throughout the year.
All three Estevan athletes will be travelling to Montreal in July to compete at the National Provincial Championship tournaments in the 19U and 15U divisions.