Buena Water Polo didn’t know what it had coming when Colin O’Neill joined the team a short four years ago.
Now a senior on Varsity, he dedicates most of his life to the sport with morning practices, after school games, chlorine damaged hair and shaved legs. I met up with Colin at lunch and quickly learned that there is more to this Buena water polo player than some might think:
Inga Dahlstedt: How long have you been playing water polo and what motivated you to play?
Colin O’Neill: Since 8th grade, and I wanted to be a better swimmer for surfing. I also love being almost naked in a speedo.
ID: How long have you been on Buena Varsity?
CO: Since my junior year, so two years.
ID: What postition do you play?
CO: In water polo speak, I’m a driver. Basically I’m really good with handling balls.
ID: How hard of a sport is it physically/mentally?
CO: Incredibly easy if you can walk on water.
ID: What are some perks to playing it?
CO: Sweet tan lines. Oh and you never smell like B.O. Only chlorine, and usually chlorine is associated with cleanliness, so therefore I am clean.
ID: Do you have any pre-game motivation to help you get pumped to play?
CO: My team sits around in a circle and we talk about our feelings.
ID: Do you get a lot of attention being a water polo player.
CO: Women like to look at my smooth, tan legs.
ID: Is it awkward having your uniform only be a speedo?
CO: No, thats why I love it. I love how it feels in the water.
ID: What chance do you guys have at beating Ventura?
CO: You could say that our chance of winning are like the chances of winning the lotto. Slim to none, but it has been done.
ID: Do you like being a Foothill student-athlete, or would you prefer just being a Buena student?
CO: No, I like it. I think it’s pretty sweet that we get to have a great education and play sports.
ID: Any chance you will play water polo in college?
CO: Of course, why would I not want to get up at 5:30 a.m. for the next four years and stay in a pool until 9 p.m? No, I do not want to play in college.
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