UCLA represented at the 2009 FINA Championships in Rome

A number of current and former Bruins converged in Rome for the 2009 FINA World Water Polo Championships, an event that runs from July 17 to August 2.

Widely considered the most prestigious international aquatics event outside of the Olympics, the Fédération Internationale de Natation, or FINA, Championships feature the world’s elite swimmers, divers and water polo players.

UCLA is represented in Rome on both the men’s and women’s U.S. national water polo teams. Newly promoted UCLA men’s water polo coach Adam Wright is competing for the American men, as is fellow Bruin alumnus and first-time international competitor Justin Johnson. In helping the U.S. achieve a 3-0 record in group play, Wright and Johnson each scored a pair of goals, with Wright adding three assists while tallying the second-most playing time through the three preliminary games.

Meanwhile, the U.S. women’s national team is playing in its first international tournament under former UCLA coach Adam Krikorian. The Bruin contingent on the women’s squad does not end there, however, as the team also features Bruin alumnae Tanya Gandy, Kelly Rulon, and Jamie (Hipp) Komer. Recently promoted UCLA women’s head coach Brandon Brooks and new assistant coach Coralie Simmons are also in Rome assisting Krikorian.

In group play, the American women knocked off Kazakhstan and Greece and fell 11-10 in a thriller against Russia. Through the first three games, Rulon was tied for second on the team with six goals, while Gandy added a pair in her first international competition, and Komer had come in as a goalkeeper off the bench in each of the three games.

Because of their loss to Russia, the U.S. women faced China on Saturday to determine who will advance to a quarterfinal showdown with Spain. The U.S. men will play their quarterfinal match on Tuesday against the winner of a match between Germany and Montenegro.

Compiled by Ryan Eshoff, Bruin Sports senior staff.