Carcarey Earns Silver Medal with Team USA at U20 Water Polo World Championships

Jon Carcarey, a rising junior at Pepperdine University, secured a silver medal with Team USA at the U20 Water Polo World Championships in Croatia, marking the nation’s best finish ever at this level. The team advanced to the championship match after a dramatic penalty shootout win against Serbia and a tight semifinal victory over Hungary, with Carcarey contributing four goals throughout the tournament. The U.S. began the competition with losses against Croatia and Hungary but rebounded by defeating Montenegro and Iran in knockout stages. In the final match, they faced Spain but were edged out 14-11. This achievement marks only the second medal for the U.S. in the tournament’s history.

By the Numbers

• The U.S. finished with a silver medal, the highest-ever at a Junior World Championship.
• Carcarey scored four goals during the tournament, including three against Hungary.

State of Play

• Team USA started the tournament with a 19-10 loss to Croatia and a 13-12 defeat to Hungary.
• They rebounded by defeating Montenegro (16-10) and Iran (23-5), leading to a quarterfinal win over Serbia.

What’s Next

Carcarey will return to Pepperdine, where he has a total of 60 goals over two previous seasons. The Waves are set to begin their next season at the Triton Invite in San Diego from August 30-31.

Bottom Line

Carcarey’s performance at the U20 World Championships not only highlights his personal achievements but also signals a rising trajectory for U.S. water polo on the international stage, making it a pivotal moment for future competitions.