An unforgettable learning experience filled with fierce drills and dynamic lessons, senior Logan Rodriguez was recently selected to train with three Olympians from the 2024 USA water polo team– Max Irving, Ryder Dodd and Chase Dodd.
To obtain the opportunity, Rodriguez entered a raffle for the camp and was chosen to participate in the exclusive national training with the Olympians. In this two day long camp from August 24 to 25, Rodriguez worked on his fundamentals, ball work, shooting and countering at Long Beach City College. He also refined his mental mindset when playing water polo and learned to utilize his physical aspects more effectively.
“My mindset changed a lot. It was really inspiring. From that clinic, I learned so much that I could apply to my game that I needed to work on. It helped me personally and my game in the water,” Rodriguez said. “We worked on a lot of one-on-one plays that surrounded the physical stuff in the water, as well as stretching with equipment properly. The second day was more of actually playing the game and understanding the different drills.”
Rodriguez also connected with Irving, water polo bronze medalist, and asked about the personal aspects of water polo. The advice Rodriguez sought helped aid him with his confidence levels and how he could utilize that to elevate his game.
“My favorite part of the camp was when I asked Irving a personal question about water polo. He gave me good advice about being committed to my paths, and staying confident,” Rodriguez said. “He made me think about how it’s not over until I say it’s over. I need to use my confidence in order to continue to progress with water polo. That’s the one thing that stuck with me the most.”
To Rodriguez, learning from the clinic is the most important part. From this opportunity, he realized how he should approach his future with water polo. The experience not only sharpened his skills but also reshaped his goals to play college water polo.
“I used to always think that high school was the end [of] water polo for me as if I have no chance of playing anywhere else,” Rodriguez said. “Irving and the whole training experience helped me out with these thoughts and how I could play outside of high school. It doesn’t matter where as long as I go out there where there are opportunities.”
![Playing offense | Right wing senior Sharl Gonzalez attempts to pass the ball to his teammate, striker senior Oscar Feria (not pictured). “I trusted [Oscar] enough to pass him the ball, so I felt like if I got him the ball he would have been okay, and it would have helped the team,” Gonzalez said. “I felt disappointed in the result of the game, but I feel like as a team we tried our best.”](https://whshoofprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/soccer-1200x832.jpeg)
