Team Asheville Goes Toe to Toe With Team Charlotte To Take Top Honors in Gladiator Polo™ "Battle for North Carolina" presented by Coca-Cola® at TIEC
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Team Asheville presented by Ingles Market featuring players Patrick Uretz, Geronimo Obregon, and Costi Caset accept their winning check alongside Gladiator Polo™ Manager Gates Gridley.
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Mill Spring, NC - September 9, 2017 - Team Asheville presented by Ingles Market stormed to victory in the Gladiator Polo™ "Battle for North Carolina" presented by Coca-Cola®, topping Team Charlotte presented by Hickory Tavern by a score of 11-8. In their first appearance together at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), Team Asheville made their mark on the George H. Morris Arena, coming back from a deficit to capture the top title over their in-state rival Team Charlotte.
The Gladiator Polo™ Fall Series presented by Coca-Cola® continues next week featuring the "Battle for South Carolina" pitting Team Greenville presented by Greenville Turf and Tractor against Team Spartanburg presented by Greenville-Spartanburg Airport on Saturday, September 16, at 8:00 p.m.at TIEC. The "Battle for the Carolinas" Final presented by Coca-Cola® will be played on Saturday, September 30, showcasing the final Gladiator Polo™ match of the season at the venue.
The innovative and action-packed revival to traditional arena polo that is Gladiator Polo™ has captivated audiences around the world, and found a welcomed home at TIEC this summer. The inaugural match was played on Saturday, June 24, which was championed by Team Greenville and saw a record crowd of spectators join the action.
This evening's match saw some of the top talents in arena polo take to the arena, as the initial kick-off for the Gladiator Polo™ Fall Series presented by Coca-Cola®. Patrick Uretz, one of the most decorated up-and-coming arena polo players, found himself quarterbacking the match and leading Team Asheville to victory.
"I think Gladiator Polo™ is great. I think it's so much better for the spectators to see and cheer and I've never seen people get this into a polo match before in my life," said Patrick Uretz, who was awarded the night's MVP award. "They really got into it. The fans were great, and a lot of fun to have them score a goal and scream your name."
Uretz was a catalyst for Team Asheville, propelling them to a come-from-behind win. A talented player with a breadth of experience in both the arena and on the field, Uretz was a fixture of the match and commented on the fast and continuous play in the George H. Morris Arena.
"I played arena polo in college and this is similar in the sense that it's the same game, but it's so much faster and a lot more open. The way that the referees call it, they let a lot more go because we are more skilled at this level, as professionals and with the horses," he explained. "They know that we can take those chances. In college, they have to call it a little tighter. It's a lot more fun to be able to run and play a lot harder."
Uretz was supported by team members, Costi Caset and Geronimo Obregon, who clicked well as a team trio. Caset commented on the victory by Team Asheville presented by Ingles Market, stating, "Tonight, was amazing. It was really unbelievable and more than I expected. Last time, I only got to play in the tryouts in Florida, which was a lot of fun, but it was nothing like this. Today, with the crowd and the big arena and the amazing footing, it was a great night."
