SPORTS JOURNEY
water polo player & rock climber
Water Polo
I play for Hillsboro Heat Spartans during Fall Season
Girls JV team freshman year, but played in many Varsity games
Was given "bandit" award at the end of the season because I was known for stealing the other side's ball
Girls team won 2nd in state
I train during off season for Newberg Club Water Polo
I played club water polo a little in 8th grade alongside being part of swim team, but started taking it seriously in freshman year and I prioritized it over swim. I joined the Hillsboro team mid-season. Since my high school didn't have a water polo team, I thought I would only be able to play club. But one of my swim team friends told me I could try out for a high school team close by my house, which ended up working out. But it was really hard at first. All my teammates already knew each other and knew all the strategies and game plans our team uses. It took me a couple weeks to catch up, but once I did, I looked forward to practice every day.
My Rock Climbing Journey:
I started rock climbing at the Nike gym near my house the summer before freshman year. I had no expectations for myself and saw climbing as just another way to pass the summer. The gym had two walls: ropes and bouldering. I only stayed on ropes though because I was terrified of falling from the bouldering wall. As I improved, the gym staff recommended I try out for a team, so that winter I tried out at the Portland Rock Gym. But to my horror, every assessment was based on the bouldering wall. I wanted to show them the form and tricks I learned from admiring professional climbers at the Nike gym but I just couldn't get over the fear of falling. So inevitably, I wasn't chosen. Frustrated, I set out to overcome my fear of the bouldering wall. With the help of Allyx, the head routesetter, I learned how to fall safely. I kept practicing until I genuinely began to enjoy bouldering. Now, my goal is to keep making progress until tryouts next year, where I can boast my interest and ability to boulder!
Progress!
