Local Weyburn Water Polo athlete, Russell Lenferna, has been invited to play with the Canadian Men's Senior National Team in Santa Ana, California from May 10 - 13. Lenferna was invited to play with the Senior Team by the Men's Team coach, Dragan Jovanovic. The invitation was based on his performances in the 2012 National Development Premier League (NDPL) and at the Men's U18 National Club Championships held recently in Quebec City along with his potential as a National Team player.
Last year, Lenferna was selected as the captain of the U17 Canadian Men's National Water Polo team that competed at the U17 Pan American water polo tournament. This was a qualification tournament for the U17 World Championships to be held in Perth, Australia in December 2012. Following qualification at that tournament, Lenferna had a very successful 2011-12 season, leading Team Saskatchewan to a fifth place finish in the first season of the NDPL. He was the league's second highest goal scorer and was named, along with team-mate and goalie Drake Greschner, to the 2012 NDPL All-Star team. From April 18-23, Lenferna captained the U18 Team Saskatchewan Men's team to a bronze medal at the 2012 U18 National Club Championships in Quebec City. To achieve this medal finish, the team overcame opponents from Gatineau, Vancouver and Ottawa. Lenferna was named to the tournament's All-Star team and goalie Greschner was named the Most Valuable Goalie.
Lenferna now sets his sights higher as he joins the Men's Senior National Water Polo Team for the FINA World League preliminary qualifying tournament. The Canadian Men will face Brazil and the Olympics-bound United States of America to compete for the single qualifying position at the World League Finals that will be played in Kazakhstan June 2012.
Lenferna indicated he is "extremely honoured for the invitation and very excited for the experience."
