- 2015 Highlights #3
Personal Statement
I am a 6 foot 3 left-handed player that plays set, set-defender, wing, and any other position that is necessary in a game. I bring a work ethic and a desire to succeed in everything that I do in life including, but not limited, to water polo. Most importantly I bring a love of the game. I discovered water polo probably later than some in that I began playing my freshman year of high school and since then have not been able to get enough. I think that the sport encompasses everything that I have been looking for in a sport all these years. I spent my early years prior to high school playing basketball and baseball but neither seemed to fulfill exactly what I was looking for in a sport. Water polo seems to require that perfect combination of agility, competitiveness, strength, and comradery with the guys that I have been looking for. For the last couple of years I actually feel as though this is a sport that I can play well into the future.
Playing in the future depends on whether someone can see my ability and willingness to grow and learn in this sport. I am constantly talking to my coach trying to figure out what it is that I need to improve upon in the positions that I play. Knowing that I do need to be prepared to play any position that is necessary, I work out up to 6 hours a day during the summer, doing water polo 2 times a day, 1 swim work out and mid-day weight training. My team, Porterville Aquatic will be going to the Junior Olympics this Summer in San Jose, California. My swim work outs during the summers also include competing in swimming with the Porterville Neptunites in order to continue to improve my speed in the water. During the actual fall polo season there are of course morning work-outs in addition to games and weight training in between classes. Just as there are long days during the summer with training, the school year entails coming home after games and or practices at night and putting in 2 to 3 hours of homework.
I believe that demonstrating my ability to learn and potentially grow with your team would be shown in my work ethic outside of sports. You have access to my transcripts, but I have always aspired to take the top classes in school and challenge myself in every capacity. Last year I finished off with a 4.4 GPA and sat for my first AP test which was the AP Biology test and passed it. I am taking all AP courses that I can my Junior year as well, which will hopefully aid and assist me in getting into the best colleges possible. I have been a member of CSF since 9th grade. I have received academic/honor medals for 4.0 GPAs and above every year in high school and am determined to continue this. I am currently in the process of starting National Honor Society at my school, which is a very strenuous process as there are no NHS clubs in the school district.
In addition to my academics, I am working on receiving my Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America, which requires many hours of badge requirements, community service, as well as completing a final project that has to be approved by the Boy Scouting council.
As I begin my Junior year of high school, I look forward to beginning my second year on Varsity Water polo, another year to challenge myself and move forward. Last year I received my Varsity letter in polo as well as the Coaches award during swimming season. Because I received these awards, I have been entrusted this summer season to co-coach the 14 and under boys in their summer league games. This has been quite the learning experience requiring extra time at the pool in addition to my 5 to 6 hours of work out, as well as patience. This has only helped to enhance my love for the sport. I came to enjoy them asking me for advice and that only helps in my ability to be a leader on my team as well as in anything else that I may pursue in life.
