Caleb Berman '23 Recruiting Profile

Growing up as a chubby child, being bullied was inevitable for me. This forced me to find a way to cope with the comments. My solution was to use humor as my defense. Despite what names people called me, I could always turn their negative comment into a joke. I was getting ready for middle school prom when I looked in the mirror and realized I couldn't recognize the person I had become. I thought humor could fix anything, but it couldn't fix this. The next day I made a complete change to my diet and began working out every day. In two years I lost 125 pounds. Overcoming this obstacle taught me the importance of self-discipline.

Not only taught me the value of self-discipline, but also of commitment. I have applied that same commitment to water polo. Staying back late with the rookies to practice drives, creating extra practices, and making my teammates feel like a family are just some of the strategies I have learned are necessary to lead a strong team. 

My passion for the sport makes me more attentive, not just in water polo, but in my education too. Water polo has helped me find the value of paying attention to my surroundings. Focusing in school has always been a struggle for me. When playing water polo, I must be attentive and efficient with my energy. This is because I play for a purpose: to win. By applying this ideology to school, I am able to truly embrace the purpose of my education and the reason I choose to study. College is going to be a challenge. As my passion for water polo and my understanding of the purpose of my education grows, I look forward to the challenge.

As incoming captain of the water polo team, I am planning to use my knowledge for good. Practicing over the summer and competing in camps has helped me train my shot, strengthen my body and practice new techniques. These experiences reminded me the importance of building a powerful team. As I begin my junior year, I am excited to grow as a leader and face new challenges.