Balancing Books and the Ball: How D1 Water Polo Star Emily Ausmus Masters School and Sports

Posted by S&R Sport with Quotes from Emily Ausmus on Nov 3rd 2025

Early mornings. Late-night study sessions. Endless practices. The life of a college water polo player isn’t for the faint of heart. Between academics, training, and competition, balance can feel impossible, but D1 athlete and U.S. National Team member Emily Ausmus has found her rhythm.

Her secret? Intentionality.

“It’s really important to set goals for yourself and take the small steps every day to reach them,” says Emily. “Big goals are great, but it’s the consistent daily actions that make the difference.”

Those daily habits have helped Emily thrive both in the pool and in the classroom—showing that with discipline, mindset, and the right approach, student-athletes can succeed at the highest level.

The Discipline Behind the Dream

Playing Division I water polo means living a schedule most people can’t imagine—morning lifts, afternoon practices, weekend tournaments, and hours of studying in between. For Emily, mastering time management has been key.

“There are only so many hours in a day, and you only have so much energy,” she says. “Allocating both intentionally is important.”

She treats each day like a game plan—balancing class deadlines, training sessions, and recovery time with precision.

“Whenever I’m having a hard day, I take a step back, take a deep breath, and reset. I focus on what I can control in the moment—that’s how I stay motivated and centered.”

Her mindset reflects what every student-athlete eventually learns: success doesn’t come from doing it all—it comes from doing the right things, consistently.

Finding Balance in the Chaos

Between classes, practices, and competitions, Emily knows that every athlete’s path looks different.

“Everyone is different,” she explains. “Knowing yourself and what works best for you to accomplish your goals is something you have to learn.”

For some, that means studying during travel days. For others, it means communicating early with professors or adjusting workouts around exams. No two schedules look the same, but the commitment stays constant.

Advice for Aspiring D1 Water Polo Players

For high school athletes dreaming of playing at the Division I level, Emily’s advice is straightforward: focus on the process, not just the outcome.

“Having big goals is important,” she says, “but what matters most are the little things you do every day to get there.”

It’s not about perfection—it’s about progress. Developing habits early, staying organized, and learning how to prioritize will make the transition to college water polo much smoother.

The Gear That Keeps Athletes Going

Every elite athlete knows that performance starts with preparation—and having reliable gear makes a difference.

That’s why Delfina USA, powered by S&R Sport, partners with top athletes like Emily Ausmus, Max Irving and teams across the country to provide high-quality water polo suits, caps, balls, and accessories built for serious training and competition.

Final Word: Control What You Can

Emily Ausmus proves that being a D1 student-athlete isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being consistent, intentional, and resilient.

She doesn’t chase balance by doing everything at once—she creates it by focusing on what matters most.

So whether you’re an aspiring college athlete or just learning to juggle school and sports, take it from Emily:
Dream big. Stay organized. Do the little things right, every single day.

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Balancing Books and the Ball: How D1 Water Polo Star Emily Ausmus Masters School and Sports

Early mornings. Late-night study sessions. Endless practices. The life of a college water polo player isn’t for the faint of heart. Between academics, training, and competition, balance can feel impossible, but D1 athlete and U.S. National Team member Emily Ausmus has found her rhythm.

Her secret? Intentionality.

“It’s really important to set goals for yourself and take the small steps every day to reach them,” says Emily. “Big goals are great, but it’s the consistent daily actions that make the difference.”

Those daily habits have helped Emily thrive both in the pool and in the classroom—showing that with discipline, mindset, and the right approach, student-athletes can succeed at the highest level.

The Discipline Behind the Dream

Playing Division I water polo means living a schedule most people can’t imagine—morning lifts, afternoon practices, weekend tournaments, and hours of studying in between. For Emily, mastering time management has been key.

“There are only so many hours in a day, and you only have so much energy,” she says. “Allocating both intentionally is important.”

She treats each day like a game plan—balancing class deadlines, training sessions, and recovery time with precision.

“Whenever I’m having a hard day, I take a step back, take a deep breath, and reset. I focus on what I can control in the moment—that’s how I stay motivated and centered.”

Her mindset reflects what every student-athlete eventually learns: success doesn’t come from doing it all—it comes from doing the right things, consistently.

Finding Balance in the Chaos

Between classes, practices, and competitions, Emily knows that every athlete’s path looks different.

“Everyone is different,” she explains. “Knowing yourself and what works best for you to accomplish your goals is something you have to learn.”

For some, that means studying during travel days. For others, it means communicating early with professors or adjusting workouts around exams. No two schedules look the same, but the commitment stays constant.

Advice for Aspiring D1 Water Polo Players

For high school athletes dreaming of playing at the Division I level, Emily’s advice is straightforward: focus on the process, not just the outcome.

“Having big goals is important,” she says, “but what matters most are the little things you do every day to get there.”

It’s not about perfection—it’s about progress. Developing habits early, staying organized, and learning how to prioritize will make the transition to college water polo much smoother.

The Gear That Keeps Athletes Going

Every elite athlete knows that performance starts with preparation—and having reliable gear makes a difference.

That’s why Delfina USA, powered by S&R Sport, partners with top athletes like Emily Ausmus, Max Irving and teams across the country to provide high-quality water polo suits, caps, balls, and accessories built for serious training and competition.

Final Word: Control What You Can

Emily Ausmus proves that being a D1 student-athlete isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being consistent, intentional, and resilient.

She doesn’t chase balance by doing everything at once—she creates it by focusing on what matters most.

So whether you’re an aspiring college athlete or just learning to juggle school and sports, take it from Emily:
Dream big. Stay organized. Do the little things right, every single day.

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Early mornings. Late-night study sessions. Endless practices. The life of a college water polo player isn’t for the faint of heart. Between academics, training, and competition, balance can feel impossible, but D1 athlete and U.S. National Team member Emily Ausmus has found her rhythm.

Her secret? Intentionality.

“It’s really important to set goals for yourself and take the small steps every day to reach them,” says Emily. “Big goals are great, but it’s the consistent daily actions that make the difference.”

Those daily habits have helped Emily thrive both in the pool and in the classroom—showing that with discipline, mindset, and the right approach, student-athletes can succeed at the highest level.

The Discipline Behind the Dream

Playing Division I water polo means living a schedule most people can’t imagine—morning lifts, afternoon practices, weekend tournaments, and hours of studying in between. For Emily, mastering time management has been key.

“There are only so many hours in a day, and you only have so much energy,” she says. “Allocating both intentionally is important.”

She treats each day like a game plan—balancing class deadlines, training sessions, and recovery time with precision.

“Whenever I’m having a hard day, I take a step back, take a deep breath, and reset. I focus on what I can control in the moment—that’s how I stay motivated and centered.”

Her mindset reflects what every student-athlete eventually learns: success doesn’t come from doing it all—it comes from doing the right things, consistently.

Finding Balance in the Chaos

Between classes, practices, and competitions, Emily knows that every athlete’s path looks different.

“Everyone is different,” she explains. “Knowing yourself and what works best for you to accomplish your goals is something you have to learn.”

For some, that means studying during travel days. For others, it means communicating early with professors or adjusting workouts around exams. No two schedules look the same, but the commitment stays constant.

Advice for Aspiring D1 Water Polo Players

For high school athletes dreaming of playing at the Division I level, Emily’s advice is straightforward: focus on the process, not just the outcome.

“Having big goals is important,” she says, “but what matters most are the little things you do every day to get there.”

It’s not about perfection—it’s about progress. Developing habits early, staying organized, and learning how to prioritize will make the transition to college water polo much smoother.

The Gear That Keeps Athletes Going

Every elite athlete knows that performance starts with preparation—and having reliable gear makes a difference.

That’s why Delfina USA, powered by S&R Sport, partners with top athletes like Emily Ausmus, Max Irving and teams across the country to provide high-quality water polo suits, caps, balls, and accessories built for serious training and competition.

Final Word: Control What You Can

Emily Ausmus proves that being a D1 student-athlete isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being consistent, intentional, and resilient.

She doesn’t chase balance by doing everything at once—she creates it by focusing on what matters most.

So whether you’re an aspiring college athlete or just learning to juggle school and sports, take it from Emily:Dream big. Stay organized. Do the little things right, every single day.

Popular Posts

Popular Products

Official Ball of the MPSF

Reliable & Honest, Family Owned

Custom Team Gear Experts

Free Shipping OVER $100

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Need Help? CONTACT US 24/7

Customer Service

Shop with Confidence

Popular Brands

So whether you’re an aspiring college athlete or just learning to juggle school and sports, take it from Emily:
Dream big. Stay organized. Do the little things right, every single day.