CLEARWATER, Fla. – Blaire McDowell, a native of Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, who will join the Sun Devil water polo team in the fall as a freshman, recently led the Canadian Junior Team to a gold medal at the UANA Junior Pan American Championships.
McDowell was also named Most Valuable Player of the championships on the women's side.
The Canadian team finished ahead of Brazil, the United States, Argentina, and Puerto Rico, who finished second through fifth, respectively.
Team Canada went 4-0 in group play with wins over Brazil, 8-7, Argentina, 29-9, Puerto Rico, 21-8, and the U.S., 19-9.
In the finals, they earned their second win over Brazil of the championships, a 12-9 victory, on July 15.
McDowell scored two goals in the second quarter vs. Argentina, a goal apiece in the first and third quarters vs. Puerto Rico, and an impressive four goals vs. Brazil in the gold medal match (two in the first quarter, one apiece in the second and fourth).
Earlier this spring, McDowell was also named MVP of the Canadian U19 National Championship after recording four goals in Saskatchewan's victory over the Pacific Storm in the championship match. A year ago, she was the youngest athlete to be named to Water Polo Canada's roster for the 2017 FINA World Women's Junior Water Polo Championships.
McDowell was also named Most Valuable Player of the championships on the women's side.
The Canadian team finished ahead of Brazil, the United States, Argentina, and Puerto Rico, who finished second through fifth, respectively.
Team Canada went 4-0 in group play with wins over Brazil, 8-7, Argentina, 29-9, Puerto Rico, 21-8, and the U.S., 19-9.
In the finals, they earned their second win over Brazil of the championships, a 12-9 victory, on July 15.
Congratulations to our champions Brazil (Men) and Canada (Women) plus the tournament MVPs Rafael Vergara (Brazil) and Blaire McDowell (Canada).
— USA Water Polo (@USAWP) July 16, 2018
Tournament Results/Final Standings: https://t.co/HHSIeNZMAh
Archived broadcasts: https://t.co/NDS1oLQJSH
Photos by Peter Laurence pic.twitter.com/1pjbI7aVNU
McDowell scored two goals in the second quarter vs. Argentina, a goal apiece in the first and third quarters vs. Puerto Rico, and an impressive four goals vs. Brazil in the gold medal match (two in the first quarter, one apiece in the second and fourth).
Earlier this spring, McDowell was also named MVP of the Canadian U19 National Championship after recording four goals in Saskatchewan's victory over the Pacific Storm in the championship match. A year ago, she was the youngest athlete to be named to Water Polo Canada's roster for the 2017 FINA World Women's Junior Water Polo Championships.