Three Eagles Named Water Polo All-Americans

Three water polo players from Santa Margarita Catholic High have been named all-Americans, the school reported. 

The players—one recently graduated and two who are coming back in the fall—were named to the 2012-13 NISCA/Speedo Girls All-America Water Polo Team.

Emily Loughlin, who will play at California as a freshman, was selected, as were two players who will be SMCHS seniors, Kacey Avalos and Haley Wan. 

The awards are sanctioned by the National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association.

Loughlin is from San Clemente, Avalos from Lake Forest and Wan from Irvine.

Loughlin and Wan were named second-team members, and Avalos to the fourth team.

The girls helped Santa Margarita win its 11th league championship and second Southern Section title, in Division II. 

Wan earned the Orange County and Southern Section Player of the Year honors.

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In order for a player to be considered as a NISCA High School All-America, athletes must compete for an interscholastic team and be scholastically eligible as determined by his/her state athletic association or school authority.

Avalos, Loughlin and Wan are the first All-American's for the girls’ water polo program since Mackenzie Beck earned fourth-team honors in 2011 and honorable mention in 2010.

Avalos, Loughlin and Wan were three of 137 athletes nationwide to make the All-American team, 48 of whom came from California, more than any other state by at least 30.