POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - Marist water polo head coach Natalie Benson spent the off-season coaching and traveling with the USA Women's Cadet National Team. The cadet group, which is 16 and under, trained in California and traveled to Dunaujvaros, Hungary for more common training and official games.

“It is our staff's responsibility to assess skill and begin preparing these athletes for the physical and mental intensity of international competition so they can truly progress each year they advance through the program,” said Benson.

The cadet level camps are used for pipeline recognition during future recruiting and positional placement. This was Benson's second year coaching the cadet group.

Camp began in May with the National Training Selection Camp in Huntington Beach, Calif. where 73 athletes from all over the country participated. 28 athletes made it through the camp in May and the Cadet National Team was announced. Those 28 athletes then participated in a June training camp in Claremont, Calif. to cut the final roster down to 15 athletes for the trip to Hungary.

The concluding trip to Hungary included common training and two official games. The USA Women's Cadet National Team won both games, the first win came against the host Hungary and the second win was against Serbia.