Girls Waterpolo Claw Their Way To State Finals As A Proud Underdog

Cowboys goalie defending the goal. The girls waterpolo team made it to the state finals for the first time in 16 years. Photo Credit: KAYLA LOKEINSKY

BY KAYLA LOKEINKSY

To triumph in the face of adversity is no easy task, especially in the sports world. To achieve glory as an underdog is nearly impossible unless you have the resources and support. Yet, despite daunting forces seemingly rallied against them, the 2011 Cooper City High School Girls’ Water Polo Team made history this past season, beating the odds and becoming one of the top four water polo teams in Florida.

Not only did the team get to the state water polo finals, but they have also made history for CCHS, as the first girls’ water polo team to come close to winning the state tournament in sixteen years. They have proven to everyone, from their opposing teams to the local press that they are a team that deserves to be recognized.

“Everyone doubted us making the state finals,” junior Emily Aron said. “Even the local newspaper wrote an article saying that we got the ‘luck of the draw’ in the tournament. We proved them all wrong.”

In order for the CCHS girl’s water polo team to make it to the state semi-finals, they had to overcome all the obstacles that stood in their way. Playing as the third seed in the district tournament, they surpassed expectations, beating Hollywood Hills High School, the previous year’s district champions, with a score of 18-4. They then went on to beat Cypress Bay High School, the first seed team, with a score of 14-5, not only making them district champions, but putting them through to regionals. In a nail-biting match, the team narrowly beat Dr. Krop High School, 5-4, earning them the spot in the state finals.

The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) state water polo finals were held in Orlando, Florida from April 29-30. The majority of the teams in the finals were well-known favorites, including previous champions such as Winterpark High School, Ransom Everglades High School, and St. Andrews High School. The fact that Cooper City was even there was unbelievable. With only 10 players, all underclassmen, there were doubts about the team making it past the first round, but the team ultimately proved to be a force to be reckoned with.

“Most of the teams there had twice as many players as we did,” sophomore Michelle Gontko said. “But we showed them that even through we’re the underdogs, we could still compete with the best of them. They make movies out of teams like us.”

In the first round of districts, the CCHS water polo team faced off against a familiar regional opponent: South Broward High School. Thanks to a strong defense and the team’s on-point shots, the Cowboys beat South Broward 16-8. Earning them a spot in the semi-finals. After a devastating loss to Winterpark High School, 23-4, the Cowboys still left with the heads held high and their dignity intact, as the 3^rd runner up in the FHSAA water polo finals.

The CCHS girls’ water polo team may not have won the gold, but they won something far more satisfactory; they won the respect of their fellow players, their school, and the entire water polo community. They proved that an underdog can rise to the occasion and face any challenge.