Despite their second place ranking, SHS varsity polo ladies believe they can be Ohio champion material this season.
This year’s team is no stranger to high intensity play. Out of the 14 players on varsity, nine have played at the Junior Olympic level in a national tournament in California.
Senior Hannah Kast said, “Playing in California helped me grow as a player immensely. Since it was a national tournament, the polo was much more intense than it is in Ohio. It forced me to step up my game and learn new strategies and skills.”
So far this season, the team has been a powerhouse with only one obstacle between them and the state championship title: the first-ranked team, Upper Arlington. UA has won four out of the last five state championships, but senior, Jory Gould hopes that will soon change.
Gould said, “Upper Arlington is a swimming-based water polo team. They can out-swim every team in Ohio. They have a lot of endurance but we are working every day to match that same intensity level, and some day we will get there.”
With mandatory six a.m. swims twice a week to improve endurance, the players definitely have a plan about how to play to Upper Arlington’s strengths.
Senior Jessica Wei said, “We are a very tight knit team working toward a common goal, which I hope is achieved by the end of the season.”