As the ball makes it to the goal, the varsity girls water polo coach, Ashley Garcia, cheers on her team over their victory. Garcia has played water polo as a driver all four years at Glen A. Wilson High School. She played two years at Fullerton College and three years at University of La Verne.
Garcia loves the strong mindset and physical toughness that the sport requires. Near the end of her playing career, she planned to take a break from water polo and focus on other aspects of her life. However, as the coaches at Walnut invited Garcia to a few practices to help out, she fell in love with coaching.
She was offered the position of assistant coach for the boys water polo team and head coach for the girls team. With her experience, Garcia understands and relates to the physical and mental challenges that the athletes face. Playing has also taught her how important discipline, teamwork and perseverance are, which she emphasizes in coaching.
Her experience gives a strong foundation to help the athletes develop their skills. When coaching for Walnut and the club team Route 66 in West Covina, Garcia enjoys watching her athletes thrive in the sport, which makes coaching special for her.
“The most fulfilling part of coaching is seeing my players push past their limits, embrace the sport and carry the lessons they learn in water polo into other aspects of their lives,” Garcia said.
