The first month of the year has already brought numerous obstacles for Fords water polo. The team recently lost many star players, including Sixth Former Mookie Dombar, Sixth Former Henry McDade, and Fourth Former Mac Pennington, due to various injuries.
“We’ve always had injuries, but this year has been one of our worst years in a while,” Fourth Former Teddy Walkenhorst said. “I think losing Mookie, Henry, and Mac was big for our performance, not only because they are good players, but because it has hurt our depth a lot.”
Despite the injuries, the team has pushed itself through the preseason and regular season to keep playing at its best.
“We are a little thin on depth, but that just gives players like me a chance to prove my worth.”
Teddy Walkenhorst ’29
“I think even as the team has had a lot of injuries, we see that as sort of a motivator to work harder and prove that we can still play at a high level,” Walkenhorst said.
The team is determined not to let any injuries stop its ambition, adopting an optimistic attitude. Some see this situation as an opportunity to showcase different players.
“We are a little thin on depth, but that just gives players like me a chance to prove my worth. Hopefully we can win the Inter-Ac season and carry that momentum into EA Day,” Walkenhorst said.
While unable to swim, many injured players have adapted to continue their involvement in games, contributing to the team differently.
“I’m still showing up to games. Even if I’m not in the pool, I still have a lot of knowledge around the sport that I can share and instill into younger teammates,” Dombar said.
Beyond mentoring, some injured players also help with the scoreboard during games. Even the appearance and support of the injured players boosts team morale.
“I know that the team will do what they need to do to find success this year,”
Mookie Dombar ’27
“I think the injuries are tough, but I feel like it drives us to impress the sideline [by] having injured players that want to be in [watching the game]. They hype us up, and they’re all motivated to get back in,” Fourth Former Xander Neill said.
Even though they can’t be in the pool physically, the injured players have faith in their teammates and believe their hard work will pay off.
“I know that the team will do what they need to do to find success this year,” Dombar said.