COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Sept. 11, 2018) – USA Volleyball has announced the beach volleyball teams it has nominated to compete at the Summer Youth Olympic Games Buenos Aires 2018, pending approval by the United States Olympic Committee. The event will be held Oct. 6-18 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
For the women, Devon Newberry, 17, and Lindsey Sparks, 18, will compete. On the men’s side, Tim Brewster, 18, and John Schwengel, 18, are on the team. Ali Wood Lamberson will travel as team leader and coach.
Newberry and Sparks qualified by finishing second at the NORCECA qualifying tournament on May 25-28 in Cuba.
Brewster and Schwengel finished third at that tournament and were given a wild card berth to Argentina.
Both teams competed earlier this year at the FIVB U19 World Championships in Nanjing, China. Newberry and Sparks placed fourth while Brewster and Schwengel tied for 25th.
Newberry (Santa Monica, Calif.) is a senior at Marymount High School in Los Angeles this year. She is committed to play beach volleyball for UCLA in 2019.
“I couldn’t be more humbled to be on the Youth Olympic Team and I can’t wait to represent my country with pride. To experience it with Lindsey as my partner makes it even better. I am really excited to go and battle with her.” – Devon Newberry
Sparks (Huntington Beach, Calif.) graduated from Edison High School in Huntington Beach this year and has signed to play beach volleyball at UCLA.
“I could not be more excited to represent my country. I’m excited to see the athletes we’ve played against and get a chance to play countries we haven’t seen. I’m excited to play with Devon. We’ve only gotten stronger with each event.” – Lindsey Sparks
Brewster (Manhattan Beach, Calif.) graduated from Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, Calif., this year and is attending UCLA.
“I’m really excited to go and represent the United States at the Youth Olympic Games. It’s been my dream since I was little to be an Olympian, and this is the first step. Our goal for Argentina is to play how we know we can play; go out and chillax, trust our training and hopefully bring home a medal.”
Schwengel (Santa Monica, Calif.) graduated from Santa Monica High School this year and is attending Santa Monica College.
“It’s really cool to make the Youth Olympic Games Team because it doesn’t happen to a lot of people. This is a great opportunity. It’s a chance for Tim and me to show what we can really do and to bring home a medal.”