Water Polo blazes trail for sports scholarships

Parker Cummings, Reporter

By late October, the seniors feel overwhelmed by anxiety and stress as they complete college applications. A few seniors on the boys’ varsity water polo team, Wyatt Hanson, Quinn Woodhead, and Emerson Sullivan, have already committed to prestigious universities.

Senior Quinn Woodhead is the captain for the state championship contending water polo team. He has recently committed to Stanford University a feat achieved by his older brother Dylan last year. Hanson has also committed to Stanford and will join the Woodhead brothers next year.

In addition, Emerson Sullivan has opted to attend John Hopkins University and will be the only one to leave California thus far.

The team is currently 17-5 overall, and undefeated in MCALs with a 7-0 record, claiming the league title and advancing to North Coast Section playoffs.

Woodhead explained the battle of being overlooked by larger high schools.

“For years our water polo team has always been the underdog, and we have come to kind of cherish that role. Even though we have had a lot of success, we are still seen as the team that is not supposed to do well. This year we are not going into games over confident, we are just accepting that we are the underdogs and trying to prove people wrong.” he said.

Woodhead is just one of a few players on the team, including Sullivan and Hanson, to have been offered scholarships. His offer is something extra special because he will be reunited with his brother at Stanford.

“I have always wanted to go to Stanford since I was a kid. Now that my brother is there, it makes it all the more exciting. I can not wait for the opportunity to play at such a high level and think that the Woodhead boys can really make an impact.” he said.

Woodhead, Sullivan and Hanson are not the only ones with a clear future in collegiate water polo. Many of their senior teammates are hopefuls to receive the illustrious Division I sports scholarship.

Senior Danny Roland has been deciding between offers from USC and UCLA. The other Hanson twin may attend Stanford along with Woodhead and his twin. Senior Connor Moynihan has also shown a desire to attend the Naval Academy. He has been in talks with the Academy but Moynihan is yet to make his final decision.

Years of effort have finally paid off for the water polo team, who have been playing together on the Sleepy Hollow Aquatics team since they were young.

“I am also hoping that the younger boys look up to our team and see that all the ingredients are right here, you just have to motivate yourself.” Woodhead said.