Girls varsity water polo was awarded CIF Runner Up after their final game against Bishop High’s Knights in March ended 10-5. Although Carlsbad lost, the team continued to reflect on their successful season record of 22-9.

After season victories against schools such as Torrey Pines and La Costa Canyon, Carlsbad entered CIFs, where they beat El Camino and Cathedral before finals. But behind the scenes, the girls were cheered on by boys water polo, who came out and supported the girls with signs and words of encouragement from the stands.

“All the water polo guys showed up with signs, and their shirts were off and they were painted,” junior Brooke Ochoa said. “Their encouragement really meant a lot and everything was fun except for the losing part.”

The girls went through their usual warm up routine, which consists of both dry land and in the water warm ups to ensure they were 100 percent ready for their game. That preparation includes team traditions as well. 

“After doing our stretches and warm ups we go straight into the locker rooms or wherever we are and play music,” junior Ava Raddock said. “We always play “The Box” by Roddy Rich first and then “Break My Stride” by Matthew Wilder last. Then we take a selfie or a mirror selfie, and the same people are in it every single time.”

Although the team lost, the girls remained concerned with how the team attitude was the whole time. As long as attitudes are high and always positive, they would have a good time playing what was, for some of them, their last game. 

“We really, really wanted to win for our seniors, but we also had a lot of pre-game jitters that you get,” Ochoa said. “As soon as the whistle blows, you have to put all that away and focus completely on the game. It’s a completely different type of feeling when you look up at the scoreboard, there’s thirty seconds left, you’re in the fourth quarter, you’re down by five and you’re like… defeated.”