Athlete: Kai Smith
Sport: Girls Waterpolo
Position: Attacker
What were your biggest accomplishments or highlights that took place during a game, or even practice?
“My biggest accomplishment was scoring two goals during our regional semifinal game versus Campolindo. I am not a big goal scorer, I play defense and assist on offense. Campolindo has one of the best goalies in Norcal, and scoring two goals on her during a regional semifinal game was a huge accomplishment for myself. Not only was I super excited, but it helped bring our team to the win and move on to the finals.”
How did you help your team succeed beyond stats?
“Being a senior this year it was partly my job and the other seniors to step up and lead the younger girls. Bay and Natalie have always been the leaders of the team, and while I didn’t lead in the captain role, I helped in the pool [by] communicating to other girls where we needed defense and where to go on offense– sometimes out of the pool as well and making sure everyone was doing what they are supposed to be doing. Our team being on our best behavior and knowing what’s happening in the game on offense and defense keeps us successful.”
What was a challenge you faced and how did you respond to it?
“My junior year, I dislocated my thumb during a showcase game. Luckily it was the end of the game but I was out for a few weeks and had to miss our big home tournament. It was hard watching my team play and not being able to be in the pool, especially missing a big tournament was super disappointing. When I was able to get back in I made sure to give it my all in order to get back to pick up where I left off.”
What motivates you to keep pushing forward in your sport?
“The success of my team motivates me to keep pushing. Keeping our team at its best and in the best shape makes me want to try harder. Keeping our streak in CIF wins, league wins, and in league games as well. Having our team be as successful as we possibly can be is my biggest motivation.”
In one sentence: what does being named Athlete of the Week mean to you?
“Being named Athlete of the Week means a lot, as it shows that my effort I’ve put into practice and games paid off and helped my team succeed.”
Who would you like to thank or credit for your success?
“I would like to thank Coach Allen, he truly deserves so much credit for pushing the team forward and being so involved. He has helped with anything I’ve ever needed, whether that was during practice, a game, or in the weight room.”
Athlete: Bay Burnett
Sport: Girls Waterpolo
Position: Goalie
What were your biggest accomplishments or highlights that took place during a game or even practice?
“One of the biggest accomplishments that took place during a game was when my team and I won CIF for the third year in a row. Especially because of how much we won by.”
How did you help your team succeed beyond stats?
“As team captain I led my team to success by making sure we stayed focused on our big goals for the season and the ways we were gonna accomplish them, while also making sure we all still had fun, especially because it was some of our last season.”
What was a challenge you faced and how did you respond to it?
“A challenge I faced was hurting my shoulder and being out all summer, then having to get right back into it once the season started. I made sure to stay in shape with the limited workouts I could do as I wasn’t supposed to use my shoulder.”
What motivates you to keep pushing forward in your sport?
“What motivated me was making sure I got into the school I wanted for water polo and now that I have accomplished that my motivation is making sure I’m at a place where I will get playing time in college.”
In one sentence: what does being named Athlete of the Week mean to you?
“Being named Athlete of the Week means a lot to me because it shows that the hard work and time I put into my sport is being recognized.”
Who would you like to thank or credit for your success?
“I would like to thank my coaches for pushing me and helping me get to where I am today, along with my parents for all the support and time they put into me and my sport.”
