With Chamblee’s Water Polo season coming to a close, the boys and girls teams both take time to reflect on the season, focus on self-improvement, and spend time among the community. The boys came into this season off a state championship win, and the girls were looking to improve on a fourth-place finish at the aforementioned competition. This year has been a moderate success for both teams. With questions to be answered and problems to solve, the teams are trying to fix their sudden absence of veterans and continue on despite injuries. The boys’ squad is rebuilding from losing multiple seniors.

“We won the state championship, but then this year we lost a lot of seniors, so it’s definitely been difficult to maintain our expectations,” said Captain Patrick Feaster (‘26).

Those goals for the season are still attainable, albeit unlikely.

“We hope to win states again, but it’s not looking like it’s gonna happen,” said Captain Kelton Bragg (‘27). “We’ll do our best and that’s what matters.”

As for the future, players hope to work on their skills, particularly developing their younger players.

“[We want] to get the swimming faster and work on our shooting strengths as well as bring new players up [from the development team],” said Neal Rau (‘29).

A big part of the team’s connections lies within the community.

“I just have so many of my closest friends in water polo,” said Merridy White (‘27). “We all push each other to be the best version of ourselves in the sport and in school.”

Even newcomers agree with the sentiment.

“I love the team, and everybody’s so nice and supportive. When you don’t know how to do something, they help you learn how to do it,” said Lucy Shoemaker (‘29). “It’s really amazing.”

Some players may experience fatigue and have trouble in school.

“I definitely have to get my homework and all the assignments for all classes done [in a shorter period of time],” said Rau.

However, the captains believe the workload is manageable.

“We only have a few practices every week on Tuesday and Thursday, so I’ve got plenty of time to do homework,” said Bragg.

Many people have gotten into water polo after trying swimming or other aquatic activities.

“I joined water polo because I was a swimmer… It’s fun with the thrill of the game mixed with the competition,” said Feaster.

For some players, competition and excitement motivate their commitment to water polo.

“I’ve always liked swimming, and having a competitive aspect to it just makes it a lot more fun than swimming laps,” said Bragg.

Many students realize the impact that playing a team sport such as water polo will have on their future.

“It really helps with perseverance and endurance,” said White. “We’ve gotten stronger as a team, and it’s just a good mindset for life.”

Water polo also helps players be healthy and physically fit.

“It has helped me become more physically active and with my hand-eye coordination,” said Shoemaker.

Bragg thinks that the workouts are an important part of competing.

“Working out is probably the best thing you can do for water polo other than swimming, because you need good leg strength to rise outta the water,” said the junior captain.

While some people think that water polo is uninteresting, most players don’t find this to be the case.

 “[Some people] think that it’s a boring or easy sport or that it’s only sports for nerds,” said Rau.

Another common misconception is regarding the character of the players.

“Some people think that everybody’s mean, but they’re not. It’s a physical sport, but people are really nice,” said Lucy Shoemaker.

Captains encourage swimmers looking for excitement to give Water Polo a chance.

“If you’re a swimmer, it’s a good thing to try,” said Bragg. “[If you] find [swimming] boring, then water polo could be the sport for you.”