The FSU Men’s Water Polo Club will be flying commercially to the University of Utah to compete against the University of California at Nationals on November 14-16. Depending on the outcome of that game, they will go on to play either Cornell University, or the University of Colorado. The club consists of two teams, with 14 members on Team A, and 21 on Team B. Monday through Thursday, the Water Polo Club practices rigorously at the Leach from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. They diligently prepare for Nationals with a combination of swimming, wrestling, and treading training. With water polo consistently being ranked as one of the most difficult sports to play, the team must push themselves at each practice to ensure they will be both mentally and physically prepared to compete at the National level.
As Nationals is quickly approaching, the team is striving to raise funds for their transportation to the University of Utah. Simon Cuenca, a member of the team, says, “We are currently asking everyone for donations. Teammates’ families and local businesses have showed us support. Also, our alumni have really stepped up to the plate with this Nationals trip. With their help, we reached $1,200 the first day we set up our gofundme.com page.”
On Wednesday, November 12, the team will be hosting a fundraiser at Mr. Robotos on Tennessee Street. From noon to close, if you say you are there for FSU Men’s Water Polo, 5% of your bill will go toward their funds for Nationals. The FSU student body, faculty, family, friends of the team, and the Tallahassee community can also help the team as Nationals approaches by making a donation on their GoFundMe website HERE, or on Venmo HERE. You can also make a check payable to “FSU Men’s Water Polo Club,” and mail it to 1909 Honeysuckle Drive Apt. #2 Tallahassee, FL 32304.
For those of you who aren’t familiar with the game of water polo, like myself before a few short days ago, it’s similar to basketball and soccer, but played in a pool with six players and a goalie from each team. The goal is to get the ball past the opposing team’s goalie to score. The players spend the entire game treading water. Therefore, building stamina and spending a considerable amount of time doing leg drills is essential for a water polo team to be successful.
Each member of the FSU Men’s Water Polo Club is beyond passionate about their team and the sport. Cuenca says his favorite part about being on the FSU Men’s Water Polo Club is “The adversity of the sport. You are fighting not only to score a goal, but also to keep your head above water just so you can breathe. It makes you feel like you are a warrior fighting for your life, and failure is not an option.” The team has players from a variety of experience levels, and welcomes any males looking to give the sport a try. Regardless of your gender and whether or not you think water polo is for you, do your part as a fellow Nole! Donate and celebrate the success of yet another FSU team competing at the National level!