Between the Games: What Junior Olympics Taught Me About Life, Teamwork, and Showing Up
Posted by Written by: Former JO Athlete and current S&R Sport team member on Jul 17th 2025
The USA Water Polo Junior Olympics are officially in full swing. The boys are finishing up, and the girls hit the pool this week. Whether you’ve just wrapped your final game or are packing your bag and triple-checking for your team suit, this is the perfect moment to take a breath and reflect on the epic tournament. Because let’s be real: prepping for Junior Olympics water polo is no joke. Months of early morning practices, team lifts, strategy sessions, and weekend tournaments — all leading to this one chaotic, chlorine-filled week. Hobbies? We don’t have them. We’re water polo players. This is the grind.
My first Junior Olympics wasn’t as a player, though; I was just a stubborn little sister tagging along (against my will) to watch. But when we got to the tournament, I had this moment of realization: Oh… this is a whole thing. Every pool deck was buzzing with athletes, families, coaches, whistles, and what felt like half the country’s water polo population. I thought this was just some niche sport my sister liked. It turns out, youth water polo is more than a game—it’s a growing movement.
I remember her teammates — despite being exhausted and sunburnt — took time during one of their game breaks to teach 10-year-old me how to eggbeater, pass, and draw a cute little foul in the little 4 ft. deep hotel pool. That’s when I saw what it meant to be part of a team. Even when they could’ve crashed in bed, they showed up for their teammate’s little sister and shared their love of the game.
Fast forward a year, and I was playing in my first Junior Olympics tournament at age 11. I made both the 12U and 14U rosters, which meant anywhere from 4 to 6 games a day. That’s a lot of driving, snacks, cap changes, and confusion about what color cap you’re supposed to be wearing. But no matter how tired I was, my teammates were right there with me. That shared exhaustion? Weirdly kind of magical.
And then came the college water polo recruiting years. Once you hit 15 or 16, the deck changes. College coaches are everywhere. Every game becomes a chance to be seen, which means every pass, every steal, every sprint feels like it counts. That pressure can get to you, but it’s also an incredible opportunity to show who you are, not just as a player, not just as a teammate, but as a person. If you have ever watched yourself or your teammates play in game film, you will notice that your values seep into who you are in a high-stress, game-time scenario.
After playing in 7 Junior Olympics and coaching 3 more, here’s what I’ve learned — the stuff I wish someone told me:
Focus on what you can control.
Fuel your body. Hydrate like it’s your job. Surround yourself with teammates who lift you up. You don’t need to be best friends with everybody on your team, but at the end of the day, you all gotta work together. Find your one or two confidants and have a great time. Get sleep when you can. Don’t spiral about stuff like reffing or playing time — those are out of your hands.
Your bench energy is just as important as your playing time.
Even if you’re not in the water, you’re still a key part of the game. Be loud. Be locked in. Hype your teammates. And please don’t blame your teammates if they’re getting more minutes — they didn’t choose it. You’re all on the same side.
Give your coach some grace — they’re juggling a lot.
It’s easy to forget that coaches aren’t just coaching. They’re managing rosters, navigating pool deck logistics, coordinating team meals, fielding parent questions, and trying to keep everyone in matching suits (shoutout to S&R Sport for making that part easier). They're probably running on the same amount of sleep as you — if not less — and still trying to show up with energy and focus. Whether you’re playing every quarter or not getting as much time as you hoped, trust that they’re making decisions with the big picture in mind. They want you to grow, succeed, and love the game. Take a breath, bring your best attitude, and remember: they’re doing their best, just like you.
Soak up the moments that don’t show up on the scoreboard.
Yes, it’s a national tournament. But it’s also late-night hotel hallway chats, gas station snack runs, and the ritual of putting on team gear like it's armor. Team sports build friendships that last way beyond the final whistle. Don’t miss those memories.
Growth lives just past your comfort zone.
You will be tired. You will feel like you have nothing left. But that space between “I’m done” and “I pushed through anyway” is your growth zone. And that’s where the best athletes are made. Feel like you might want to give in? Drink some water, take some deep breaths, and talk to your coach or your teammates. You’ve got this.
You’ll rest soon — make it count.
After JO's, summer break can finally begin. Sleep in. Watch trash TV. Refuse to wear a swimsuit for a week. Just make sure you gave everything you had, so the rest feels earned.
Whether you’re at your first Junior Olympics tournament or your seventh, just know this: you’re part of something bigger. JOs isn’t just about who wins gold. It’s about who shows up, who keeps cheering, who finds their edge, and who loves this game enough to keep going.
There was a point in time when I thought I would never play water polo, nor did I want to. However, after learning what this sport truly was and being welcomed into the beautiful community built around it, I couldn’t help but be a part of it. The friendships, the grind, the shared wins and tough losses—it all became something I couldn’t imagine walking away from. Why do I continue to play to this day? Because it challenges me, pushes me, and reminds me of the strength found in teamwork and resilience. (Shoutout LAAC.)
At S&R Sport, we’ve been where you are. That’s why we do what we do — to support water polo athletes at every step, from your first suit to your last season.
So go out there. Play your heart out. And don’t forget your cap number.
