At WHHS, the ripples of change have transformed the landscape of water polo, bringing with them the excitement and camaraderie of a rapidly evolving water polo program. What began as a club in 2019 has swiftly evolved into a competitive force, drawing in players from diverse backgrounds and skill levels. Among them is Kylee Earhart, ‘26, a co-captain of the women’s varsity water polo team and a shining example of this evolution.

“Water polo has become my favorite thing in the world,” Earhart said.

Despite being newly recognized as a sport, both women’s and men’s water polo have made incredible strides. The sport, formerly a club, transformed into an official team in 2019. Previous club members were ecstatic to actually have a competitive team at WHHS.

Many players dove into water polo with little to no knowledge of the sport. Earhart was one of those beginners who joined out of curiosity. Earhart was originally inspired to join the sport by her older brother. Her brother, who also attended WHHS, spoke fondly of the sport but never officially joined, which made Earhart take the initiative to join.

“My brother went to the school before I did, and he never joined the water polo team, but he always talked about [it]. And I was like, ‘Oh, if he’s not going to do it, I might as well do it’,” Earhart, ‘26, said.

Joining the team has been transformative for Earhart, who began her journey in 8th grade.

“I think I’ve been steadily getting better over the years, and I think I’m doing really well against some of the best players in the state,” Earhart said.

Team dynamics are a highlight for Earhart. This relationship plays a crucial role in the team’s success in communication and productivity.

“The whole team feels like one big group of siblings. We don’t always get along, but I know that if I ever need support, I can always look to my teammates, and they can look to me,” Earhart said.
Earhart’s passion for water polo extends beyond high school. She hopes to continue in college, expressing interest in trying out for a club team if her school has one or participating in a local community program.

“I really want to keep playing for as long as I can,” Earhart said.

Outside of water polo, Earhart further trains by participating in the swim team, which helps her endurance. However, Earhart stresses the importance of keeping balance.

“I think just having a healthy balance of sports and downtime helps make it not feel so stressful,” Earhart stated.

Her most memorable moment in water polo came when she scored her first goal during a game. During the game, one of the opponents fouled out of the game, meaning the opposing team had 5 players instead of the full set of six players. Being put at this advantage, Earhart took this opportunity and was able to score a particularly special goal.

“I just remember looking back at my coaches, and my coach Kevin was literally out of his seat, jumping and cheering,” Earhart said. “It was a moment that locked me in on water polo. This is my favorite thing in the world.”

In reflecting on the community aspect of the sport, Earhart points out the unique camaraderie among team members, including those from different grade levels.

“I really like the community of water polo, and being able to interact with the middle schoolers has been a rewarding experience,” Earhart said.