Water polo is yet another sport that Southlake excels in, held in high regard among the other Dragon sports. It’s all about getting the ball in the goal and looking out for the other team. Aggression is necessary. If you are timid the opposing team will eat you alive like a pack of piranhas.
Students in Carroll have been playing water polo for many years as a club sport. But ever since becoming a UIL sport in 2021, water polo has become very competitive in Dragon culture.
“People think that water polo is easy,” sophomore Cruz Paredes said. “But when you start to learn how to play, you have to lock in.”
Experienced water polo athletes have gained an understanding through the workings of every game. They use their experience from previous tournaments to learn and improve their strategy.
“The whole culture around water polo is being aggressive, strategic and communicative with your teammates,” Paredes said. “The coaches have taught us to use the skills and strengths we’ve learned throughout the years and integrate it within our games. Like being strong and fast enough to pass through an opponent, but also strategic and focused in the game to stay concentrated.”
This season girls varsity water polo finished 5-0 in district play and 18-6 overall after advancing into the playoffs. The boys team finished in first place in the district and 20-4 overall this year, losing to Hebron by one point in the playoffs.
“This year we have one of the best teams that we’ve had,” freshman Sarah Demas said. “Between both water polo teams, we have won an average of 50 games. We have a lot of boys and girls coming in, and it’s just a great team atmosphere environment with a lot of hard-working people wanting to learn and grow in this sport. We’re really protecting the Dragon Water Polo tradition.”
The coaches have been a part of making every athlete into a water polo machine. Not only helping them with training, but also teaching them teamwork and respect, to show them true Dragon spirit.
“I have a close relationship with water polo,” Coach Jesus Chava said. “I started playing in high school and have stuck with it. I’ve also been coaching water polo since 2023 and our team has made progress by winning regional tournaments countless times.”
Since becoming a UIL official sport three years ago, the Dragons have advanced into the playoffs each year.
“It’s awesome being a water polo coach,” Coach Justin Pudwill said. “I’ve come across some of the greatest players I’ve seen in years. I’ve been coaching for 25 years on different teams, and in the span of two years, being within the Carroll District, I’ve never seen more hard-working athletes than those at Carroll.”
