Water Polo Club Teaches Excellence in Athletics, Academics

Some of the region’s premiere water polo players and coaches, as well as those hopeful to participate in the sport are members of the Foothill Water Polo Club, which is the second largest club in all of USA Water Polo and is still going strong since its inception in 2005.

With facilities in Claremont, Upland, and Damien high schools, the club provides a chance for elite athletes to get together and compete at the highest levels.

It also gives younger members a chance to be noticed by coaches in the collegiate game while getting ready for that next step.

Mark Canner, Men’s and Women’s water polo coach at Claremont McKenna, has also coached the 12 and 18 under teams for Foothill in Claremont. He said a large appeal for members comes from the coaches’ commitment to academic excellence.

“California is the mecca of water polo and luckily in this small part of L.A. county we have three top 20 water polo programs in Men's division 1 water polo,” said Canner adding that this type of motivation has only made the coaching staff better and the attraction to bring in players stronger.

Canner also extolled the virtues of the sport.

“Football players are plagued by injuries and obesity two problems that rarely ever occur for water polo players. Our sport puts athletes in peak physical fitness with barely any injuries,” he said.

One such local player iss Hanna Lancaster. The high school junior is both a member of her school’s succesful water polo team and the Foothill club.

According to the CIF Southern Section rankings released last week, the Regents are the top-ranked school in Division 3, awaiting the release of the championship pairings on Sunday.

“The coaches there are excellent and they also have connections for athletes looking to get into college,” said Lancaster who added she might want to play in a Divison 1 school in the near future, but has not yet chosen one. “I recommend it, it’s a fun program and you can have fun while learning.”

Lancaster has been a member for the past five years. She has been playing the sport since the 6th grade and both her older sister and brother also play the sport. Her brother plays at the University of La Verne.

“This club is based on a family atmosphere which has been noticed by our own families and by other clubs. We are very competitive but we are not win at all cost. We are a club devoted to teaching life lessons and creating a positive outlet for kids in the community,” said Canner.

Case in point, brother and sister Sabrina and George Garabet are both members. The former has been a member of the 12 and under girls team coached by Kristin McKown and the latter, the 14 and under boys team coached by Alex La.

“USA water polo is respected throughout the water polo community,” said parent and Glendora resident Amy Garabet. “It’s been great, it’s an impressive program and they really care about the kids.”

“We’re all like a family, whether we win or lose, our coaches are very supportive of us. It’s been really great for me,” said Sabrina Garabet.

“Coaching at the Foothill Club has been very gratifying. We all have a huge passion for the sport and so do the kids. It’s the players that make it for us,” said La.

The club has different age groups and this creates different seasons. The 14,12, and 10 and under teams all practice year round with four sessions. The sessions follow the seasons with fall, winter, spring, and summer.

“Our most important session in terms of competition is our summer session which includes two national championship tournaments; US Club championships and Junior Olympics,” said Canner.

More information on the club can be found at foothillwaterpolo.com.