By Ben Baugh
It’s amazing when athletes work together to accomplish a common goal.
That’s exactly what Team USPA (Mason Wroe, Capt.; Jesse Bray; Jared Sheldon; Will Tankard; Felipe Viana and Patrick Uretz) did the week of Dec. 8, winning their Federation of International Polo World Championship Zone A qualifier against a strong bracket, one that featured Canada, the Dominican Republic and Mexico. The games were held at Casa de Campo, a facility managed by former 8 goal player Calixto Garcia-Velez. Team USPA will now advance to the World Championships in Santiago, Chile, with the action taking place at the San Christobal Polo Club, a stadium in the heart of the city, March 24-29. The U.S. advanced by defeating Mexico in the finals on Dec. 14.
Team USPA will be one of six teams playing for the FIP World Championship, and will try to become the first U.S. team since 1989 to win the prestigious tournament.
The Team USPA roster, coached by Joel Baker, was composed of six players, who had the opportunity to become acquainted with one another this past November in Wellington, Florida. Team USPA demonstrated their solidarity, playing with veteran professional Jeff Blake, reaching the finals of the USPA 20 goal at Grand Champions, coming up short in a valiant effort. However, that strong performance served as a harbinger of what was to come.
And although most of the players on the team had not played with one another previously, there was a powerful sense of camaraderie amongst the players on and off the field. It was during that month in Wellington that Uretz, Viana, Sheldon and Bray forged their bond while playing in South Florida, by living together, while Tankard, who was playing in Argentina at the time, was able to come up for one weekend. Wroe got married and would miss one weekend during the team’s stay in the sunshine state.
“I was very proud,” said Baker. “These are six guys that really have put their lives aside to work together for a successful outcome. The camaraderie makes them stronger as a team. We mixed their positions, and they didn’t miss a beat.”
The team’s maturity and progress was indicative of the roster’s growth as elite athletes, with five of the six players on the squad having enjoyed collegiate success as All-Americans and the other being the first Team USPA player to reach a five goal handicap.
“They are mentally strong,” said Baker.” As three and four goalers, they are playing as a balanced team and enjoying the experience of playing on a team with players of equal handicaps.”
The Team USPA program emerged from its nascent stage five years ago, initially developed by Charles Smith and Kris Bowman to help identify up and coming young American talent, then provide those players with an opportunity to upgrade their skills by being mentored by some of the best American players, and then identifying and creating playing opportunities.
“A lot of the players work really hard,” said Smith. “Kris Bowman is the mother of the program. Amanda Snow has taken over more of the day-to-day activities. It’s been very satisfying to see the players and program develop.”
The U.S. first drew the always difficult Canadian team, and would go onto win 9 to 4.5, a game where they were trailing after the first two chukkers. Team USPA would go onto defeat the host Dominican Republic 11-5, and would finish the tournament undefeated with an authoritative victory over Mexico 10-3.
The lineup had Jared Sheldon at no. 1, Jesse Bray at no. 2, Felipe Viana at no. 3 and Patrick Uretz at back. Wroe and Tankard served as the alternates.
“It helped a lot to have team breakfasts in the morning,” said Bray. “We did a lot of things on and off the field.”
The zone qualifier served as an excellent prerequisite and is suggestive of a team that is poised for greater success as they steadily focus on their objectives, said Baker.
“They did a fantastic job,” said Baker. “They dominated each team. It all came to a peak against Mexico. They worked hard for each other, and provided positive encouragement for one another. We had the best alternates there. It played a big part in the team winning and it was huge off the field.”
Now it is off to Santiago, Chile March 24-29th to do the same, work hard, work as a team and compete as Team USPA in the FIP World Championships.
Team USPA After Win – Zone A FIP – Dominican Republic