John Diaz '21 Recruiting Profile

I started swimming competitively when I was 9, along with playing basketball and football. There has never been a time in my life that I didn't have several sports going and this has helped me learn to balance and prioritize in all areas of my life. I began playing water polo during the summer before 8th grade when a swim clinic I was involved in, introduced the sport. The coach who was running it thought I was a good fit and said I had a great throwing arm. I began training with much older players who made me tougher and taught me the rules of the game. I chose to attend Xavier Prep because I felt their coach was the best fit for me, and  during the two years under him, I was given the opportunity to mature under the upperclassmen and his strong coaching. 

During my sophomore season, we won our league but lost 5 seniors and our coach, as well. My junior year was not as successful as I had hoped under the new leadership, although I was able to focus on joining a club team and playing outside of the valley. While our team came in second in our league, I realized even more that my focus needed to be in my dedication to club play. During the COVID shut-down, I have had time to reflect and have made the decision to move to Rancho Mirage HS for my senior year, under a different coach. I have also spent the time practicing daily with a rebound net, weighted ball and regular sport-specific drills sent to us by Coach Zoran. I'm looking forward to what I hope will be a great season and feel more confident in my shots, as that has been my focus for the last 3 months. During this time I was also able to take a few short trips to look at many schools in Southern California and explore possible majors. Right now, I'm leaning towards Horticulture, Political Science, or Criminal Justice. 

 As a player, I bring speed in the water and a strong knowledge of the game. My experience playing many different sports has given me the ability to learn  different strategies and the ability to assess situations with a level-headed nature. I have also experienced a multitude of coaching styles and can function in a variety of atmospheres. I am able to listen to criticism and adjust to these different styles. I am comfortable in a leadership position but don't need the spotlight to feel effective. I am genuinely happy when my teammates are successful and thrive in a team situation. I am committed to improvement and while I can be light-hearted at times, I know when to be serious.