By Haeeun Blessing Jee, Cleveland High School, Grade 10
March 14, 2011
Cleveland High School’s girls water polo team swept City Championships on February 24, 2011 at L.A. Valley College. Against rival team, Birmingham High School, the victory was a close score of 8-7.
Cleveland students came out to support one of the best teams in school and cheered loudly as Whitney Lam made her 11th save during the last 90 seconds of the game.
Before the City Championships, the team’s record was 11-2, with both losses against Birmingham. Cleveland came very close to winning in both – with scores of 5-6 and 6-7.
The last time Cleveland had the City Championships trophy in their hand was during the 2008-2009 season. Last year, during City Championships, Cleveland lost to Birmingham 7-6 in six overtimes. Once more, Cleveland water polo girls were pitted against their rivals, but came out victorious!
The players who stood out during the season were Seniors Tricia Lu, Diane Lee, and goalie Whitney Lam. Junior, Gabby Rodriguez and sophomore, Whitney Alderman, have both shined throughout the season.
Senior Tricia Lu was confident that Cleveland would win the City Championships. “We are smarter, better, faster, stronger, and better looking than Birmingham,” said Lu.
“We overcame adversities and each player grew individually. The team never gave up,” said Gabriel Hernandez, boys and girls water polo coach.
It felt good to have the trophy back at Cleveland, especially after the boys water polo teams’ smashing victory last fall at their own City Championships.
Although deemed one of the best teams in the school, the girls water polo team has only been around since the 2008-2009 season. It is incredible how talented and hardworking this team is. Cleveland has yet to see more victories and glories to come!
