Fresno State Athletics
Photo by: Bryan Kennedy
Howarth, Nicholson compete at Women’s Water Polo FINA World Cup Final
6/21/2023 9:40:00 AM | Water Polo
FRESNO, Calif. - Former Bulldog Emily Nicholson, who wrapped up her Bulldog career in 2022, and current Bulldog Kaitlin Howarth are representing New Zealand this week at the Women's Water Polo FINA World Cup Final. The Final takes place June 23-25 at Long Beach City College in Long Beach, Calif.
"Playing in any international event is always such an amazing experience, but to be playing in the World Cup Super Finals back in California is something even more special. We have lots of friends and Bulldogs coming to support, which will be really cool to see," said Howarth on this experience. "As a team we will be playing against the best in the world and really trying our best to keep improving along the way. Playing with Emily [Nicholson] is always a lot of fun and we always seem to slot back in to our play together so well. It's also super nice to have her support both in and out of the pool."
New Zealand will face the Netherlands in the quarterfinal round on Friday, June 23 at 7 p.m. PT. More information is available here.
The qualified teams include: Netherlands, USA, Hungary, Italy, Spain, Greece, Israel and New Zealand. Both Israel and New Zealand qualified through the Women's Water Polo World Cup Division 2 Qualifying Tournament.
The two Division 2 qualifiers join the six Division 1 nations - Greece, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, and the United States - that earlier earned their place through their World Cup 2023 play for this year's final.
The Spanish women come into the 2023 final as the defending champion. Before winning in their home waters of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the USA women had won the seven previous editions of the event.
"Fresno State Athletics - Elevate: Imagine the Possibilities" - The Elevate Campaign provides a visionary roadmap to enhance and construct a series of athletic facilities to help further position Fresno State Athletics for sustained competitive success nationally, while also further serving as a source of pride and economic growth throughout California's Central Valley. For more information, visit GoBulldogs.com/elevate or call the Bulldog Foundation office at 559-278-7160.
"Playing in any international event is always such an amazing experience, but to be playing in the World Cup Super Finals back in California is something even more special. We have lots of friends and Bulldogs coming to support, which will be really cool to see," said Howarth on this experience. "As a team we will be playing against the best in the world and really trying our best to keep improving along the way. Playing with Emily [Nicholson] is always a lot of fun and we always seem to slot back in to our play together so well. It's also super nice to have her support both in and out of the pool."
New Zealand will face the Netherlands in the quarterfinal round on Friday, June 23 at 7 p.m. PT. More information is available here.
The qualified teams include: Netherlands, USA, Hungary, Italy, Spain, Greece, Israel and New Zealand. Both Israel and New Zealand qualified through the Women's Water Polo World Cup Division 2 Qualifying Tournament.
The two Division 2 qualifiers join the six Division 1 nations - Greece, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, and the United States - that earlier earned their place through their World Cup 2023 play for this year's final.
The Spanish women come into the 2023 final as the defending champion. Before winning in their home waters of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the USA women had won the seven previous editions of the event.
"Fresno State Athletics - Elevate: Imagine the Possibilities" - The Elevate Campaign provides a visionary roadmap to enhance and construct a series of athletic facilities to help further position Fresno State Athletics for sustained competitive success nationally, while also further serving as a source of pride and economic growth throughout California's Central Valley. For more information, visit GoBulldogs.com/elevate or call the Bulldog Foundation office at 559-278-7160.
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