New
season for SJ Water Polo team
By Chris
Lillja
Magis staff writer
A new school year
is here, and so is a new season for the Strake Jesuit Water
Polo team. This year, the team still faces the same difficult
schedule, along with many other obstacles in the way. This
group is much younger after only seven of last year’s
juniors came to fill the shoes of last years thirteen seniors,
and as a result, they are less experienced and still getting
used to each other.
The Water Polo team has many advantages such as senior leadership
and hardworking attitudes. Because of these qualities, it
is probable that the crew will overcome many hardships- that
is, if they can get the support needed from the audience.
Last year the Water Polo team was blessed with an abundance
of talent, only to be defeated by Westside at the regional
water polo meet, just one goal shy of going to the state meet.
This year’s team seems to have learned from last years
mistakes and is determined not to have such a close loss in
the future.
One major roadblock for this year’s team is that they
are still getting used to each other. Coach Horn explains
that this is because the members of each grade know each other
best and tend to cooperate with the more familiar people.
This separation can often lead to problems such as less teamwork
and cooperation.
A different barrier is that of less experience. Since the
team is somewhat younger and the players have had less competition,
the coaches consider this a “building season”.
This building season is not bad because it will teach many
of the younger players and make them better players in the
long run. The experience gained during this year will be used
for making the team better for years to come.
One advantage they have is quality senior leadership. Although
less in number, the seniors are stepping up to take responsibility
and make the group better.
Leadership is an important part of the game because when seniors
show responsibility, they can make the younger players feel
more like a part of the team and increase unity- something
all teams must have.
Coach Horn says, “This year’s seniors are making
a good effort to make sure the team sticks together during
stretching, transportation, and being very positive by showing
in practice and games. Sophomores are in the senior’s
tracks, because of their good influence. These guys are in
control and are a positive influence for the whole team.”
Most importantly, the team’s other advantage is it’s
hardworking attitude. Members are coming to practice prepared
and ready to work hard to sharpen their skills and make the
group better.
The team is doing its best to train hard and become better
players, but the coaches agree one thing is missing. Not many
spectators are coming to watch during the games.
Coach Horn remarks, “We’d like to see more people
attend our games. Since Jesuit doesn’t have a pool,
we have no home games and not as many people come to watch.”
The team, although still building, still has a good chance
to make it to the state meet, but they need your support during
their games.
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