Annika Lampen '21 Recruiting Profile

For the first three years of my water polo career, my middle school team won a total of two games.  Not only did we lack skill, but we lacked a dependable goalie. As the bench rotated through the goalie position, each quarter a new girl would pull herself out of the water crying from the sheer amount of pressure placed on her to perform well.  After surviving a whole game without tears, I was dubbed “official goalie” of the East Grand Rapids Middle School team. (Impressive title, I know.)

As the years went on, I developed a love for the goalie position. The burn of a good shot hitting your hand or the feeling of a perfectly placed pass became irresistible for me and I continued to wear the #1 cap.  Midway through my freshman season, I became the starting varsity goalie and more pressure was placed on me to perform. A new role of leadership emerged and I was expected to fill it. Directing the senior players on what to do and which angles to cut off became innate and my leadership capabilities, both in and out of the water, excelled. Now, as I am in my junior year, I am proud to say I am the captain of our (much improved) water polo team.  I take charge of situations and help lead the team to success. Throughout my water polo career I have learned not only the importance of being a strong leader, but the importance of being resilient as well. I can bring your team the talent, leadership and resilient attitude it needs.