Florida East Coast, based in Boca Raton, took third in the Girls 16-Under Division, for its best finish in the recent Sunshine State Games, presented by Amazon, Water Polo Championships tournament. They also had representatives in the 18-Under boys, 16-Under boys, Open Men and the 18-Under girls.

A total of 50 teams from across Florida, the Southeast, Barbados, Puerto Rico and the Bahamas competed in the event that spanned over three days in late June.

The free competition took place at both the Coral Springs Aquatic Center and Boca Raton High School.

“This was like our Florida Olympics,” said event director Anna Rosen, who is in her fifth year. “It is our being championship at the end of our summer season. The big thing after this is the Junior Olympics and this is their training for that. The JOs are in California and in Texas. The more extremely competitive JOs are in California.

“This is pretty cool too,” she said. “I can have a young athlete competing in the same tournament with their coach, or their parent or grandparent. We are trying to get more teams from around the country as well as more international teams to get involved.”

Maci Rippo, 16, a junior at St. Andrew’s School and a member of the FEC 18-Under team, said she enjoys the sport because it gives her a chance to be with a group of people that she enjoys being with.

“I enjoy playing,” she said. “I enjoy the success of getting a good block and making a good pass. I love being here and being able to play with everyone.”

Being a goaltender, she is the last line of the defense, and she said her five years of experience in the sport helps her read the competition. Initially, she didn’t want to swim, but as she’s moved on in the sport, she has grown to like the position.

“Honestly, you just have to build up your legs, so even if they fake you out or try to get you to fall for it, you can still get back up or stay up,” she said. “I do a lot of work at practice on my legs. I enjoy being in the goal and I hope to play in college.”

Hundreds of athletes and their families took part in Coral Springs and Boca Raton. Among those who competed was 27-year-old water polo goalie Josh Needleman, who is following in his mom’s footsteps as an international athletic competitor. He is also a coach at FEC.

Needleman’s…