Loading

Water Polo Nationals By Sophia Mosser

Over the past month, two of the WKHS Water Polo players, Hannah Lehr and Tati Nájera, were offered spots to compete at Nationals. The USA Water Polo Olympic Development Program (ODP) recognizes talented players and invited them to compete against people from all around the country. Here is what Tati and Hannah had to say about their amazing achievements!

Being awarded this recognition differs from the typical school season. "The normal school water polo season is easier than this season because I can get to know my team and practice with them every day so we can learn how each other plays and begin to really gel together in our playing styles. but in the ODP season, we only play together when we get to the games. I kinda know the girls on the team because we play against each other in the regular season but we don't have that community and teammate relationship that we would have if we were actually on a team that practiced every day." -Tati Nájera

"So water polo nationals are completely different from high school, it is basically a part of 'club' water polo." - Hannah Lehr, sophomore, pictured to the left

Getting invited to nationals and making the team is a complex process with lots of dedication and commitment. "I had to go to ODP's which are workshops for water polo players that help us grow our skills and get coaching from college coaches and former professional water polo players. These "camps" are our tryouts and the coaches choose who gets on the teams based on how you do in the camp. Also, these camps are almost 8-10 hours straight of water polo with a small break in the middle of the day for lunch so you have to be focused the whole day on water polo which is a bit tiring and taxing on the body." -Tati Nájera, sophomore, pictured to the right

"To get to water polo nationals you have to go through sort of a process of elimination. First, there are three clinics that are held from November to December that are sort of like practices. At these clinics we do drills and learn new skills, and then the coaches there evaluate you. It depends on the age group but I think there were 18 or 20 girls from my age group picked after the clinics to go to regionals in North Carolina in February, where you play teams from all over the east coast in a tournament. Then from that tournament depending on how you play individually, around 12 people on each team get picked to go to nationals in California inn March, where you play teams from all over the country." - Hannah Lehr

Preparation for nationals requires time outside the regular season. "To prepare, I am currently swimming 3-4 times a week and just working out so I'm not unprepared to play next month." -Tati Nájera

"After you get into nationals, there isn't really a specific way you prepare. I know a lot of players in the off-season practice with teams with girls from other schools from the central Ohio area." - Hannah Lehr

As for the teams, the range of players is wide and they are formed with people from different parts all over the country. "The nationals teams are made up of players from each zone that are chosen to play at nationals, from the different regional teams a national team is made where they choose girls to be on the junior national team (usually all the girls are from California). The national team just represents the best players in the country all on one team that travels to play the other best teams in the world." -Tati Nájera

"The teams are based on where you live. For example, I am part of the Greater Lakes Zone which is people who live in states around that area, I think the states in my zone are Pennsylvania, Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana. And then there are three age groups within each team, 11-13, 14-15, and 16-18." - Hannah Lehr

Nationals is a great way for players to get their name out their and display their skills. "I'm very excited to play in California and for the opportunities that playing at nationals gives me. Many college scouts come to these games because this is the only event where girls from all over the country are together." -Tati Nájera

"This is my first time doing ODP (Olympic development program), which is what this program is called, so I wasn't sure what to expect and wasn't sure how far I would make it, so I was pretty surprised that I made it to nationals because I've heard that they are pretty hard to get into." - Hannah Lehr

Once school season starts, working towards other goals becomes a focus."After nationals, I want to go to states with the school team and just have fun with my team in and out of the pool." -Tati Nájera

"I don't have any specific goals for after nationals, but I am very excited for the high school season in the fall, and I'm excited to see what our team can do." - Hannah Lehr

Be sure to congratulate Hannah and Tati for their incredible accomplishments and support our water polo team in their upcoming fall season!

Photo credits: Hannah Lehr and Tati Nájera