I am very excited for the upcoming water polo season. The DBHS girls team will begin practicing within the next couple of weeks. During these initial practices, the returning players will be getting back into shape for season, and the freshman/new players will be learning more about the game.
The game of water polo consists of two teams trying to score goals in 4 quarters of eight minutes. The major rules are:
- You cannot touch the bottom of the pool
- Each team may only have possession of the ball for 30 seconds.
- Only the goalie can use both hands
- There are 6 outfield players
Although I have never played water polo before, I am a swimmer, so I am experienced being in the water.
I look forward to working with a team of people who are all focused on the same goal, winning the match. In competitive swim, swimmers are often pitted against each other, as they each have their own interests in mind. Water polo should not have this issue.
In addition, water polo players have an easier time getting scholarships and such, as the sport is much less common than swim.
Since my dream school is Harvard, competition is cut throat, both in academics and sports. The record for Harvard girls 100 breaststroke is 1:01.65. In order to meet that standard, I must drop ten seconds in that event within the next four years.
However, water polo players are not judged by their times specifically, so much as their whole set of skills as a player.
The only constraint I see about water polo is my height, or rather lack thereof. Most players on the Harvard roster are in the 5’10-6’0 range. I am only 5’7, which is very short in comparison.
I can overcome that very easily though, by making sure I’m well-versed in strategy. In conclusion, I have high hopes for this new sport.
Deesha Pathak 