Nicole Conway '17 Recruiting Profile

At the suggestion of a friend, I tried out for goalie on my high school’s water polo team my freshman year. Without any prior water polo or competitive swimming experience, I would be lying if I said I loved it from the start. I was focused on just surviving. I did. I made the JV Team, and I started a couple games as the JV goalie. To my surprise after only a few games, the varsity coach moved me up to the starting goalie position for the varsity team (where I have been ever since). Coach Mehl told me, you have a “huge upside” and frequently compared my progress and play to her former goalie, E.B. Keeve (Team USA), who also started playing water polo as a freshman at Waubonsie.

Playing goalie for Waubonsie is a great opportunity for my development. We are not a perennial powerhouse; we play powerhouses. I see far more and far better shots than my competition. Although it is a bit frustrating seeing my opponents get more wins and accolades, they are making me a better goalie. The tough competition has also taught me the need to work and train on my own. I frequently hit the pool during my lunch period to work on my leg strength. In the summer and winter months, I train and play with my club team, West Suburban Water Polo, and attend polo camps. I also joined the swim team primarily to improve my swimming for polo.

My work is starting to pay off. This year, my team took a number of top teams to overtime and even beat a few of them. This past year, we beat our cross town rival Naperville North, not once, but twice for the first time in school history. Next year, I hope we can surprise a few more and advance in sectionals.

My career will not be over after my senior year. I am determined to reach my full potential and want to be part of a determined collegiate team that shares my desire.