Garrett Wilson '17 Recruiting Profile

    My name is Garrett Wilson.  I live in a small farming community where when the school water polo season is over the pool heat is turned off.  In the summer the temperature can get to over 110 and winter nights can get down in the teens, so if you want to play water polo at a high level you have be dedicated and creative. 

    I am 16 and will be a Junior this fall.  I attend Harmony Magnet Academy which ranks in the top 500 high schools in the Nation, and in the top 100 in California.  Highly competitive students travel from surrounding areas to attend my school because of the school's academic rigor and high test scores. The graduation rate is almost 100% and 95+% of the students go on to college.  I am an engineering student and maintained a 4.13 GPA last year while taking honors classes.  I've been a member of the CSF Club, the French Club and I rank in the top of my class.  Next year I will be taking several AP courses as a junior.  I'm also active in my church youth group.

    I am extremly driven and focused on attending a four year colllege where I will continue to play water polo.  I have worked with a personal trainer who is a former US Olympic boxer for the past 3 years before school and on weekends.  He has taught me how to train at a very high level and has helped me set my goals higher than I ever thought possible.  My goals go beyond college water polo as I plan on representing our nation on the Olympic water polo team.  There is no other athele in my town that trains harder or smarter than I do.  Not only do I make it to every work out, play club and school polo, but I also run about 15 to 18 miles a week. 

    As a freshman I was a 3 sport athlete starting on the Vasity Water Polo team and the Varsity Baseball team.  This past year I gave up basketball to continue playing polo with a club team about 35 miles away.  When the heaters were turned back on I rejoined my local club team. I also chose to give up baseball and swam for the first time to get faster in the pool and to be a better polo player.  I qualified in two events and made it to the CIF Central Seciton Valley Finals.

    My local club team was the first in our community to try out for the USAWP Junior Olympics.  We have qualified for the Championship Division in both of our attempts beating very good club teams in the regional qualifiers to move on.  We have a small roster of only 9 players because we are limited on the players avalible that can play at this high level.  Myself and 2 others play the majorority of the time and many games we do not come out of the game.  When you play 6 games over a weekend you better have great stamina and soilid training.

    If you give me the opportunity to play for you, you will not be disappointed. My position 2 meter defender and I also run the point. I can also play the wing. I will adapt to any position or roll you need me in.  I will work harder and smarter than others and never complain.  I will always give you all I have every day, every time.  I will push myself to get stonger and better, and I will also push those around me as well.  I will take that same attitude into the class room and will work equally as hard.  I understand the importance of an education and know that accedemics come first.  I know that in order to be successful in life and to acheive my goals,  my education comes first.

    I have attended a couple of Tony Azevedo's camps and plan on traveling to Comolgi, Italy with his sister Cassie to train for 2 weeks next summer.  I also attended USC and UCSB water polo camps this summer and plan on attending them along with another camp next summer.

    I know how to train and play hard.  The more physical the game is the better I like it.  I understand the importance of nutrition, hydration, rest & recovery, and body engagement.  Not only do I train hard in the gym but I am also learning how to train mentally so I can have a strong mind in stressfull situations.  

    I feel that I have great balance in my life and good support around me.  I understand the importance of staying on task and am very organized.  I do not drink, smoke, or use drugs nor do I wish to hang out with those that do.  What ever college I attend and wherever I play I will be greatly appreciative of the opportunity and will be respectful of the schools traditions and will get involved with the University and the community as well.

Garrett