A Water Polo Cinderella Story

By Rachel McMillen, Sports editor 

The Fountain Valley\’s Lady Barons Water Polo team has been doing well this season. With a record of 20 wins and 9 losses, they made it to CIF Playoffs for the first time in five years.   

And while the team has strength and speed in the field, one of their strongest points this year is goalie Amanda Young (‘09). Young has worked her way to the top and is currently the team captain and ranked the second best goalie in southern California. How she got there is a little like a modern Cinderella story though. Going into high school, Young had dreams of playing soccer. It wasn\’t until after she didn\’t make the cut at try-outs her freshman year that she thought to join the water polo team. 

“I was sad (about soccer) at first, but I love water polo and I can\’t imagine my life without it right now,” Young says. 

During Young\’s freshman year, the ladies\’ water polo team was in need of a JV goalie. Although Young had had no prior goalkeeping or water polo experience, she had strong legs and the position came to her easily. By the time the team\’s varsity goalie graduated that year, Young had exceeded everyone\’s expectations, and Young has been Varsity\’s starting goalie ever since. 

With over 250 saves just this season, Young has stunned everyone by shattering the water polo goalkeeping records, the record for total saves in a season; and the record for total saves in a career. Despite all these broken records, Young continues to maintain a down to earth personality and credits her success to the support from her teammates, including her younger sister, Marisa Young (‘11) who is the Lady Baron\’s top scorer this year. 

“I work really hard, but a big part of my success is the environment,” Amanda Young says. “Everyone is really nice and plays an important role on the team.” 

Due to her outstanding success in high school, Young has already signed to play with Arizona State University\’s water polo team next fall. Already at the level of their current goalie, she has a good chance at becoming the Sun Devil\’s starting goalie next school year. There are few college scholarships available for women water polo players, so being awarded one is an honor. 

Young hopes ASU will only be just another stop on her road to success. Her ultimate goal is to play in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, and from the looks of it, this Baron is well on her way.