Junior Olympic Athletes: Waterpolo Player

Name/Grade: Alexa Frieberg 10th grade

 

Sport: water polo

 

Years of Playing: 5 years

 

Hours of training each week: 10 hours

 

Inspiration: “I really enjoy water polo, and it makes me extremely happy to accomplish something I wasn't able to do before — whether it's new moves or a different type of shot. Many people probably don't know her, but Maggie Steffens [inspires me]. Her sister was my coach for about a year. In her first Olympics, she tied the most amount of goals a single player has scored during a game in the Olympics.”

 

Goal: “My short-term goal is I want to be able to beat Los Gatos. My long-term goal is to be able to play for my college team.”

 

Most notable experience: “My most notable experience is winning leagues last year. Also, looking back, going to Hawaii for a tournament [with the West Valley Water Polo Club] was extremely fun and a experience. I love going on travel trips like to LA and San Luis Obispo. I always have a lot of fun and get to really know the team members I go with.”

 

Funny story: “One that I cannot forget is in Hawaii. Rafael Alapont (the coach) was screaming at the refs because they were doing a terrible job and making wrong calls; one of the refs red carded him and Mr. Alapont yells, ‘Thank you the first right call you have made today!’ and he storms off the pool deck.”