Bailey Tibbetts '22 Recruiting Profile

I first started playing water polo in the 8th grade after I was introduced to the game as a part of the PE swim curriculum. I had always enjoyed swimming when I was younger, participating on the Dolphins swim team and Junior Guards for 2 years. Although I found swimming enjoyable, it was the competitive environment, working with a team instead of independently that really hooked me into the sport. I started to get serious about the game when I was put in the goalie position. There’s something about controlling the defense and setting the offense into play that reminds me of chess, a game I have loved to play since I was little.

There are many complicated answers as to why I am passionate about water polo but the simple answer is that I enjoy it. The strategy, the competition, and the intensity of exercise, all make me love the sport. Water polo gave me the independence and responsibility that I had never been given before. I started pushing myself to improve and compete. This independence is what also allowed me to thrive and enjoy it so much.

Playing water polo in college would be a dream come true because I both take joy in playing the game, and the game helps me balance my academic life. I work hard in school but exclusively studying is difficult for me when constantly sitting down, reading, writing, and being only in my head. Water polo helps me clear my mind and focus on my other passions. This balance improves both my work ethic at school and allows me to appreciate the sport even more. 

In college I am interested in studying in the STEM field, more specifically in technology and engineering. The problem solving challenges in these fields remind me of the tactics and strategy in water polo. The goalie is always looking for the best and fastest path to pass, weighing the pros and cons of the location, as a programmer is looking for the best and most efficient way for a code to run without colliding with more errors. This is why I am interested in studying and taking up a career in the technology field and playing water polo in college.