ZAGREB, Croatia - Pepperdine water polo rising junior Jon Carcarey earned a silver medal while representing the United States at the World Aquatics U20 World Championships in Croatia. The second-place finish marks the highest-ever for the United States at a Junior World Championship.

Carcarey and the Americans reached the championship match against Spain after a penalty shootout victory in the quarterfinals versus Serbia and a narrow win in the semifinals against Hungary. Carcarey recorded four goals across the week as the U.S. made its historic run.

The U.S. began the tournament playing in the opening match against the hosts in Croatia, falling by a 19-10 scoreline. The Americans continued their group play schedule against Hungary, suffering a narrow 13-12 defeat. Carcarey had his most productive effort of the tournament in the contest, logging a game-high three goals.

The Americans wrapped up group play with a 16-10 win over Montenegro, which set up a knockout round matchup with Iran. The U.S. then picked up a convincing 23-5 win over Iran to advance into the quarterfinal round.

The U.S. pulled off the upset over Serbia with a thrilling 19-18 shootout win after the game was tied at 14 apiece through regulation. Carcarey had one of the biggest goals of the tournament with 2:05 remaining in the fourth period, the 14th and final goal for the U.S. before the shootout.

The Americans continued their run with a fourth straight win in the semifinals, narrowly topping Hungary by an eventual 18-16 mark. Returning on Saturday for the championship match against Spain, the U.S. fell 14-11 in a close contest which was tied heading into the fourth quarter.

It marks the second-ever medal won by the U.S. in the tournament, previously earning bronze in 2023 in Romania.

Pepperdine water polo alumni Jack Kocur '98 and Alex Rodriguez '98 also earned the medal as members of the coaching staff with Kocur serving as head coach.

Carcarey has posted 60 goals through two seasons with the Waves who will open the 2025 season at the Triton Invite in San Diego from Aug. 30-31.