Sam Eastaugh earns a spot on the U.s. Pipeline National Team
South Florida Water Polo Club wants to wish Sam Eastaugh, rising senior at Saint Thomas Aquinas High School, class of 2026, on his call up to the U.S. Youth Futures National Team.
Sam began playing water polo at South Florida at the age of 9 years old, at the time he was also playing football, basketball, swimming competitively and surfing, however, around 12 years old Sam made the decision to fully put his time into water polo, his decision proved fruitful when he joined the United States Water Polo’s Olympic Development Program, earning himself recognition with two consecutive selection to the Development Age Group (13u) National Team Selection Camp which consists of the top 70 players in the country below the age of 13.
Sam continued to develop as a water polo player once he had decided to fully dedicate himself, being an integral part of the 2023 Saint Thomas Aquinas state championship winning team even as a freshman where he was third on the team in scoring, first in assists and third in major fouls draw. Sam’s success continues as he proves to be one of Florida’s top players and an integral part of the Raider’s success helping to bring the school to two more state championship semifinal appearances while amassing 219 goals, 154 assists and 132 steals in his first three seasons.
Sam taking a shot at the 2025 South Florida Water Polo Club’s International Tournament. (Photo Credit: SoFlo Sports Photography)
At the club level Sam has also been integral to South Florida’s success both locally and on the national stage. Sam was the tip of the spear for the South Florida WPC’s 14u squad that obliterated competition in the 2022 USA Water Polo Dallas Junior Olympics, capping off a strong tournament with a 5-goal explosion in the championship game. In the 2023 edition of the Dallas Junior Olympics the club competed in the 16u division, Sam proved to be one of the tournament’s top players, leading the club to an undefeated tournament in 7 games he led the team in goals, assists and steals with 18 goals on 51% shooting, 12 assists and 12 steals, he also added on 7 major fouls drawn as he helped South Florida Water Polo Club earn back-to-back national honors. Sam continued his impressive showing at the national stage helping South Florida Water Polo Club in the 2024 Junior Olympics in California, where the club earned the first place in the Gold Division and 25th overall in the country in the 16u division and 4th for non-California club teams, Sam again provided us with a stellar all-around performance, in 7 games, Sam tucked away 12 goals, assisted 12 more, provided 3 steals and 3 field blocks along with drawing 15 major fouls.
Sam’s success continued with a selection onto the USAWP Olympic Development Academy Team, a team made of selected athletes who have previously been involved in the pipeline from previous National Team selections and camps that would be provided with more training opportunities under national team coaches, along with doing another cycle of the ODP.
Sam’s relentless work ethic and go-getter attitude makes him stand out from the rest, a quiet kid who is always the first person in the pool and last to leave, his work ethic is undeniable and helped earn him a spot on the Youth Futures team.
Sam will join the Youth Futures team after this year’s Junior Olympics for a training and competition in Serbia where he will get his first taste of overseas international water polo.
Congratulations Sam, way to make us proud!
