Texas Tornadoes

From CanoePolo.org

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[edit] Introduction

The first US Under 21 team. Originaly the Dallas Otters. Changed name in early 2000 after a tornado ripped through downtown Ft. Worth while the team boats were being stored there. First attended a tournament at the 2000 National Championships in Fort Collins, CO. Practices in The Colony, TX, just north of Dallas.

[edit] History

The early history of U21 Canoe Polo in the US is the history of the Texas Tornadoes.

In the fall of 1999, Marsha Harner, a member of the US National Women's Team, called together the first meeting of the Texas Tornadoes. The intent was to form a junior team (under 18 at the time). There was no kayak polo club in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, so this was a challenge. The initial Club consisted of two coaches, one manager, and six players.

In the 2000 nationals, the Tornadoes competed against the women and lost every game. While this was discouraging, the team put itself back together and began training for the next year.

In 2001, they competed against the Canadian Junior team and some B teams. The Tornadoes had added players and went in with an unwieldy 9 players (only 8 of whom were allowed to suit up at each game and only 5 of those 8 playing in each game). The Tornadoes again lost every game, only winning one by forfeit. This was very discouraging. After 2 years without results, 4 of the initial 6 players packed it up, unwilling to stand up to such defeat. The rest of the team struggled on and continued growing. The Tornadoes then traveled to Edmonton Canada for the 2001 Pan American Championships where they took on one player from California to form the US U21 National A and B teams.

In 2002, they were again placed against the Women and only lost to the Canadian National Women's team (which was also ghosted from the Women's results).

In 2003, the Tornadoes competed against their first domestic opponent- The Tsunamis. The Tornadoes were victorious, however, and swept the Tsunamis over many games. The Tornadoes accepted a few members of the Austin_Aquabats to form a B division team. This team won the the B division.

In 2004, the Tornadoes didn't have as easy of a time. They beat the Tsunamis in the round robin, but fell to them in the first round of the double elimination playoffs. The Tornadoes came back and won the final, continuing their streak of National Championships.

In 2005, the Tornadoes were again unopposed and played a variety of B teams and the US Women's team.