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Girls' Water Polo Ready to Make a Big Splash
By Freddy Hernandez, Sports Editor &
Stephanie Coffman, Guest Writer
The polls are in. Girls' water polo isn't just a game. These girls are tough, and although they are the first girls' water polo team in Chaffey's history, they have a long road ahead of them. The decision to start a girls' water polo team came last year when there was a good turnout for co-ed tryouts. In preparation for the newest members of Chaffey's athletics, the Olympic-sized swimming pool was spruced up,
replastered, and given some new gadgets with which to work.
Coach Hauder, who attended Chaffey and graduated in 1978, is ecstatic about this year's all-girls team. Another positive factor of this year's team is that the coach has eight years of experience behind him and knows how to lead his team to victory. The assistant coach of this year's team,
Jeff Jensen, was coached by Mr. Hauder when he attended Don Lugo High School.
Where did water polo originate? In Europe, of all places, where only young women would play. After 1926 the public considered the sport too violent. It wasn't until 1961, 35 years later, that Water Polo Nationals were reopened to women.
Most people don't know much about the sport; many have never even heard of it. Water polo was first created by rugby players practicing in a river long ago. It is a combination of rugby and soccer but played in the water, of course.
There are some fundamental rules to follow while playing the game. The primary rule is not to touch the bottom of the pool with your feet while throwing or catching. Rule #2 is to never touch the ball with both hands. You must catch and throw with only one hand or the other. These rules do not apply to the goalies, however.
Now that you know the rules to play by, perhaps you'll come out to cheer at a meet or two. This season doesn't only promise to be competitive, but a monumental year for girls' water polo-the first ever in Chaffey history! |
