Manhattan Beach Girl Makes Youth Olympics
Aug 11, 2014 08:03PM ● By Mb News StaffSkylar Caputo
A Manhattan Beach teenager has been selected to compete in beach volleyball as a member of the USA Volleyball team in the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China from August 16-28.
Skylar Caputo, who plays for Mira Costa High School, joins Suzanne “Zana” Muno from Sherman Oaks as partners competing in the women's bracket of beach volleyball. Torey “T.J.” DeFalco of Huntington Beach and Louis Richard of Redondo Beach will compete in the men’s competition as members of the 2014 U.S. Youth Olympic Team.
The August Games in Nanjing are only the second summer edition of the Youth Olympic Games, and represent the first time that beach volleyball has been included, taking the place of indoor volleyball. The first Youth Olympic Games was held in Singapore in 2010, at which the U.S. won the silver medal in the women’s indoor volleyball event.
Muno qualified Team USA for a spot at this sumer's Youth Olympic Games when she and partner Sarah Sponcil of Phoenix, Arizona won the NORCECA Central Zone Girls’ Qualification Tournament in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, in December last year. Caputo was selected to replace when she wasn't vailable to compete in Nanjing.
The Youth Olympic Games are an international multi-sport event held in conjunction with the International Olympic Committee. About 3,800 athletes from 204 nations are expected to compete in Nanjing. The U.S. will be represented by 93 athletes in 22 disciplines across 20 sports.