Just because the high school season is over does not mean water polo enthusiasts in La Jolla are not taking to the pool.
Summer at the Coggan Family Aquatic Complex is in high gear with the Windansea boys water polo club team, which includes kids from 9 to 18 years old, mostly from La Jolla elementary schools ” Bird Rock, Torrey Pines and La Jolla Elementary ” Muirlands Middle School and La Jolla High.
The club is headed by CIF Coach of the Year and La Jolla High Head Coach Tom Atwell. The middle school program is coached by Tom Martinez, former All-American at UCLA, and Dante Laghetto, former member of the Brazilian National Team. Several La Jolla High water polo alums now playing at the college level are assisting as well.
“When I was hired to teach history and coach water polo at La Jolla High, I knew the key ingredient to the high school water polo team’s success would be development and team chemistry,” Atwell said. “I started the club to ensure that the younger kids in the community had a place to learn and develop their skill level. The club also provided an opportunity for the high school kids to travel and play together in the off-season to prepare for the high school season.”
According to Atwell, the summer program has about 45 athletes in the boys high school age group and about 25 younger boys.
“We have a chance to teach fundamentals with our younger athletes so that by the time they are playing in high school, we can focus more on game tactics,” Atwell continued. “This makes for an amazing learning curve as they move through our program. Having them play together through the spring and summer also helps get out any team chemistry issues so that when the high school season comes along they are a well-oiled machine.”
Atwell added that the club team has had tremendous success for a small, community-based program.
“We don’t draw athletes from outside the La Jolla community, which gives us a chance to keep the program focused on the athletes in our community,” Atwell said. “We have been to the Junior Olympics and the Hawaiian Invitational just about every year since the club’s inception. This summer (August) we are going to Hungary for two weeks to train with one of the best water polo clubs in Europe, BVSC. It should be an exciting and rewarding trip, both in regards to water polo and learning about a different culture.”
For information, visit www.windanseawaterpolo.com.