Hey Maddie!
Nice to meet you too and welcome to the crazy world of water polo. It’s a great sport and got me to do so many things that really shaped my life. You’ll keep loving it. I’d be happy to be your alum interview 🙂

• Where/when did you go to high school? How about college?
I went to Castilleja also, probably why you were matched to email me. I did not do middle school there, only high school. And amazingly enough I was planning on going to Menlo until Castilleja hired a new coach Ted Minnis. It was a very hard day to tell Kyle that I would not play for him and that I was going to Castilleja.

For college I went to UC Berkeley. That was a dream of mine. My mom went to Cal and I grew up going to the football games. I was recruited to play there, and I was able to accept early in February.

• Do you still play water polo?
I do not play water polo anymore. I have very bad knees and shoulders as a combination of overuse and genetics. I try to swim still, but even that is tough. Although I am doing the Alcatraz swim/run this summer so that has gotten me back into the pool.

• Did you play water polo in college? What was that like?
I played water polo my first two years at Berkeley. It was amazing. To start at such a big school from such a small one like Castilleja it was great to immediately have a family. The hours are really long and it’s exhausting so you grow so close so quickly. I think my whole freshman year was spent with the Polo team, and we are still great friends today.

• What team was your rival when you played for Stanford?
I think that our biggest rival was San Diego Shores when we were younger. They were the best of so cal and we were the best of norcal and we only met at big tournaments.

• Where do you live now?
I live in Redwood City now, I bought a house down here and actually moved this month. Before that I was living in San Francisco out by the beach.

• Do you still keep in touch with club teammates?
I do keep in touch with my teammates. Amy Gardner and I met in 6th grade bc her older sister played water polo and knew my older brother. We played side by side for years at Stanford club, then actually played together at Cal. Amy is still one of my best friends and part of that is because of Stanford polo, which I am thankful for.

• What is one of your most favorite memories of the club?
I can’t say I remember one specific thing most about club, but my favorite times were the long car rides. They were not always that interesting but I just loved spending time with the girls and seeing the coaches being more relaxed. I do remember once at a tournament seeing my mom and Craig singing (trying to rap along with the beat) to Nelly songs outside the vans waiting for us outside the pool. Or when we were down south Kyle would get so happy eating at an Islands or seeing his mom and enjoying the baked goods she brought us. Stuff like that didn’t happen while we were at practice.

• What did you major in at college?
I majored in Spanish Literature at Cal and have a bachelor’s in that. Then i went back to school and got a second bachelor’s in nursing. I now work as an ER nurse at Stanford hospital.

• Do you remember any advice from a club coach? Do you have any advice to give about the club or anything for that matter?
I remember a coach, not sure which, saying “if you’re early, you are on time. If you’re on time, you are late. If you’re late, don’t show up”. I now have a phobia of getting anywhere late, and I think it’s a really good lesson. Other people take time out of their lives to be there for you and it should be respected.

• What hobbies do you enjoy?
Traveling is my favorite hobby, as a nurse I get the chance to travel the world and I take advantage of that. I’ve been to so many places, and I think the best way to learn about something new is to just throw yourself in there.

I also like the normal stuff. I love to hike with my dog and friends. I go to Yosemite a couple times a year. I’m a movie addict and see whatever comes out. All my family is in the bay area still and I have two nephews so they’re kinda a hobby of mine now.

• Any life milestones you’d like to share?
Like milestones? I guess things I’m proud of doing…
I recently bought a house in the bay area which is really tough to do.
I’m very proud to be a nurse in the area that I grew up in and to help people that matter to me. Sounds corny but it is true. I’ve also been able to help abroad as a nurse. I went to Haiti during the cholera outbreak after the earthquake. And I lived in Uganda volunteering at a malaria clinic. We also support the Avon breast cancer walk in the city which makes a big difference.

• Will you be attending the reunion June 26-27?!
I work on the 26th but will be at the reunion on the 27th.

Looking forward to meeting you. Hope I gave you enough info! Let me know if you have any other questions 🙂
-emily