Naperville North’s Grace Raquel could not contain her glee last October when the invitation came.

Raquel and high school teammate Anna Tarantino had been chosen to attend an exclusive water polo camp run by 6-8 Sports in Dallas.

For three days in December, 34 boys and 34 girls would get to train and play under the auspices of 6-8 Sports owner Tony Azevedo, the retired five-time U.S. Olympian whom many consider the greatest player in American history.

“I was really excited,” Raquel said. “I didn’t know how selective it would be. There were only four goalies invited, including me. I was like, ‘Wow, that’s impressive.’”

The event, held two weeks before Christmas at SMU, promised to be a sweet ending to an otherwise frustrating year.

Picture Source: Anna Tarantino

SOURCE ( MATT LE CREN /Naperville Sun)