TC Water Polo
by Karina Rodriguez Toledo
This season the Water Polo teams have grown despite having some inconveniences that other sports at Timber Creek don’t have. People have been discovering the sport’s existence at TCHS through the school’s website and the announcements. The teams need more support though not just from students but faculty as well. Usually not that many administration have been coming to the Water Polo games for the last 5 years but this season the Water Polo Coach, Elise Catron, would like that to change. Along with attendance at the games Water Polo also needs funds for new equipment, which they would greatly appreciate.
The Water Polo teams needs all the support Timber Creek can give. Not only from students but administration as well. “I would like to see more administration coming out to our games. In the last 5 years really it’s the Athletic Director I see the most but to have a little support from other admin would be great,” said the Water Polo Coach, Elise Catron. With interest on Water Polo growing the Teams need not only support at games but also for equipment. They need new caps for the team: about $950 dollars in total, at least 16 new balls: $35 each, and new goals. She also commented that they have had support in the past, “…bought us a new clock system a few years ago as well, which is great. Probably going to ask them for more money this upcoming season but they did a good job supporting us.”
This year, both the Girls and the Boys Water Polo teams grew. Efforts to make students aware of the sport have caused a sudden burst of new players this season. Including Nyah Sterner, a freshman, “Over the summer I was looking on the school website to see what sport I wanted to do and I thought Water Polo was really cool and unique.” Coach Catron, along with others, have been spreading awareness of the sport to the students. “I try to do a better job of getting on the announcements, getting on the Timber Creek Website. Just so when people go there they can see that Water Polo does exist at Timber Creek,” said Coach Catron.
This year Coach Catron had about 6 to 7 boys come try out for the Boy’s team and about 10 to 12 girls come for the Girl’s team. Not to mention the amount of returning players. “All of my Starters are returning players on the girl’s team. For my boys we have about half the team,” Said Coach Catron. Everyone who wanted to be on one of the two teams was accepted. This is because Coach Catron wants to encourage people to try the sport. “I don’t cut anyone just [be]cause I’m not going to discourage people from coming out to learn how to play Water Polo. It’s not one of those sports that you see a lot like soccer or basketball…” Although not being as common as other sports, Water Polo is still a very physical sport with its own difficulties. “…you’re swimming. You’re using every part of your body….while on defence and…..offence. It’s really hard and you’re not allowed to touch the ground and you can only grab the ball with one hand,” said Nyah Sterner.
Both the Girl’s and Boy’s Water Polo teams travel all the way to the Dover Shores Pool, five days a week, to practice. It’s about a 30 minute drive from school and these dedicated players rely on each other to get there. “Obviously we don’t have a pool here [at Timber Creek], which really sucks,” said Nyah Sterner, a freshman, “So there’s a lot of carpooling going on so that everyone can really get to practice.” The Water Polo teams are full of dedicated people who would benefit greatly if given more support at Timber Creek.
At the Dover Shores Pool, Assistant Coach Rachel Bedanerk (left) and the Water Polo Coach, Elise Catron (right) prepare the Girls and Boys teams for their next upcoming game against Lake Howell. Just like any other weekday they coach the team from 3:15p.m. to 5:15p.m., Monday-Friday. The team behind them is practicing their catches and throws. “…the next two weeks before that game. Really focusing on defence. How to play good defence and not be afraid to shoot the ball,” said Elise Catron.
The Boys and Girls Water Polo teams are practicing at the Dover Shores Pool. It’s a Monday afternoon and they are in the pool improving their one-handed catches and throws. They are practicing not only to improve their skill but also their confidence as a team. In small groups they repeat the techniques. “I would like to make at least one goal…since I am new I probably won’t play a lot. So I guess my goal would be to be not as bad as I am right now,” said Nyah Sterner, a player on the Girls Water Polo team.