Agenda: Youth Polo

Myopia All Stars gain valuable experience at NYTS National Championships / by Brion O’Connor

Though the four all-star members of the Myopia Interscholastic polo program fell just short of their title aspirations in last September’s National Youth Tournament Series (NYTS) National Championships in California, they say the experience was priceless.

All four teenagers — Augustus “Augie” Grotnik and Rehan Kumble of the Eastern Region, and Shane Metternick and Landen Daniels of the Central Region — were ousted in the semifinals of the Nationals. But each member of the contingent raved about the setting at La Herradura Polo Club, their ponies and the level of competition.

“It was awesome to play against all the other regions, all of which had friends of mine from past NYTS and interscholastic experiences,” says Grotnik. “It was like a big reunion, with all the people I played with growing up.”

“Overall, NYTS was better than I could have imagined,” he says. “The United States Polo Association, the Gracidas and their team put on an amazing tournament. I couldn’t have asked for anything more.”

Established in 2013, the National Youth Tournament Series (NYTS) program provides outdoor clubs the framework for hosting USPA-sanctioned events. Players age 19 and under holding a minimum minus-1 goal handicap are eligible to participate, allowing youth players the opportunity to compete against their peers. Augie’s father, Jacek “Yaz” Grotnik, who oversees the Myopia Interscholastic program, says a national selection committee chooses the four-player teams from a pool of players in each of four U.S. regions — Eastern, Central, Western and Southeastern — for the NYTS National Championship.

“These four players represent the best of the youth outdoor players the region has to offer,” says the elder Grotnik. “They were the four players that finished third in the 2021 USPA Interscholastic National Championship, only being beaten that year in the semifinals ultimately by Gardnertown, the National Champion.”

The Eastern squad, with Grotnik, Kumble, Vlad Tarashansky and Lars Neumann and coached by Felipe Viana, was edged by Southeast, 5-4. In the other semifinal, the Central team, with Daniels, Metternick (who will also be attending Southern Methodist), Joe Bob Lequerica and Lance Stefanakis, coached by Patrick Uretz, fell to eventual champions Western by an 8-3 margin. In the finals, Western again prevailed, 9-5.5

“The experience was exceptional all around, except for not getting into the finals,” says Yaz Grotnik. “The Western team won the event by a mile, having the benefit of some great teamwork and great horses. The best team came out on top, and the rest got some great experience and fun polo on top fields.”

The Western Regional squad, says Grotnik, enjoyed something of a “home court” advantage, since they could simply ship in their mounts. Three of the four Myopia-based players rode La Herradura horses, while Augie leased horses from another Santa Ynez-based polo professional, Rodrigo Salinas.

But as a learning experience, the Nationals were an unqualified success. Grotnik pointed out that La Herradura, surrounded by wineries and the Santa Ynez Mountains, is the club of Memo Gracida, one of the sport’s icons.

“He is a living legend, having reached 10 goals and winning the US Open more than any other player,” says Yaz. “The facilities are relatively new but world-class quality.

“Memo and his wife also hosted a players’ polo clinic, where the kids learned from one of polo’s greatest players. It was the equivalent of having Tom Brady or Tiger Woods teach your kids about their sport.”

And while they were foiled in their efforts to reach the title match, Augie Grotnik and Daniels did not return home empty-handed. Grotnik was singled out for the Horsemanship Award, while Daniels was tabbed for the event’s Sportsmanship Award.

“It’s always an honor to win an award, and sportsmanship is one I take closely to heart,” says Daniels, who was selected for the Central squad because he’ll be playing for the Southern Methodist University polo team. “Of course, I wanted to win this year, but it’s not always our year. I had a great time.”

Similarly, Grotnik says he was humbled by his selection, noting the number of exceptional young players participating.

“It was amazing to get the Horsemanship Award, especially with so many great riders and players,” says Augie, who shared Myopia’s 2021 Dr. Billy Linfoot Most Improved Club Players award in 2021 with Metternick. “The horses I had were excellent, and I was lucky enough to spend a little time with their owner, Rodrigo Salinas, the day before the tournament to learn a little bit about each of them.”

Considered a crucial step in developing young players, the NYTS instills valuable lessons about being a team player, while improving each player’s game. At each qualifier, NYTS All-Stars are recognized for their exceptional horsemanship, sportsmanship and skill, both on and off the field.

“The NYTS program is a fantastic addition to the youth polo across the country, allowing the youth of American polo the chance to shine on a big stage,” says Daniels. “I have participated in NYTS qualifiers and the tournament ever since its creation in 2012. My older brothers both had the chance to play before me, and I was able to learn a lot.”

The consolation game between Eastern and Central gave the four players, who often play together at Myopia, a chance to lock horns on the other side of the country.

“We played against Rehan and Augie from the Eastern Region, because they have Myopia as their home club,” says Daniels. “It was great to see and play them, making it fun and giving us the opportunity to test each other.”

Though a dramatic step up in the level of competition, the Nationals also provide a rare chance for all the players to measure themselves against opponents from far afield, giving the games a fresh look.

“For me, the experience was super nerve-wracking,” says Kumble. “I was playing in a completely foreign place. It was cool to meet people from all around the U.S., and see how they play, but playing against people you’ve never met or seen before made the experience a little scary at first.”

However, Kumble knew he had earned his spot on the Eastern Regional team. The NYTS consists of multiple tournaments across the United States, and the top players at these events receive All-Star status, which in turn allows them to be selected to play at Nationals.

“In my eyes, this directly reflects on the local programs,” says Kumble. “Many of us have grown up playing at these clubs and our skills have been taught, coached and nurtured here. The NYTS Nationals is the pinnacle of youth polo.

“I would tell all younger players that if they have the opportunity to play in the NYTS Nationals, or any NYTS tournament, to absolutely play,” he says. “The NYTS program as a whole furthers the next generation of youth polo by giving youth players a place to play against their peers in a competitive tournament.”