Athlete of the Month: Brooklyn Green
Cielo Aguirre and Brooklyn Green, Staff Writers
An interview with Water polo star: Brooklyn Green!
1) How did you get started in Water polo and what initially drew you to it?
Before I started high school, my mom told me to pick a sport and ‘’stick to it’’ for all four years. I was originally thinking basketball or even volleyball since I had been playing basketball my whole life and volleyball the year before COVID. I actually made the freshman volleyball team but ultimately decided to stay with water polo and swim.
2) Can you describe your typical training routine and how you balance it with your academic responsibilities?
Unless we have a game Tuesday, my team and I attend the weightroom here at Fohi lifting weights or doing circuits Mondays and Fridays. Practice ultimately consists of swimming for the first 45 minutes along with working out our legs with weighted balls, then a shooting drill, and finally run some plays and end with a scrimmage. Practice is right after school from 3:30 to 5:30, and I do not get home until about 7:45. It gets tough mustering up the energy to try and complete my night’s homework, but I remind myself that I’m a student athlete; the student comes first.
3) What has been your most memorable moment or accomplishment in your athletic career so far?
I think all of my best memories include my two best friends and co-captains -Juliet Lopez and Maritza Garcia. We are always blasting music on our way to away games screaming at the top of our lungs and laughing until our stomachs hurt. They have made these past years extremely memorable and special to me
.
4) Are there any athletes or role models you look up to, either within your sport or in general? Why?
The obvious answer to this question is my fellow teammate, Juliet Lopez. She has that never give up attitude and puts 110% into everything she does. She is so incredibly humble, and her strength and her resilience are inspiring. She is always willing to help or teach a technique to get better in the gym or polo. I hope to be at least half the athlete she is one day.
5) How has being a part of a team impacted your high school experience?
Being a part of the team has made for an amazing high school experience that I am always so grateful for. Coming out of Covid and into the ninth grade was a nerve-wracking time for many of us. I was worried about making friends, who would I sit with at lunch, who would I walk with during passing period and who I could invite over and hangout with. If I could offer any piece of advice for incoming freshman, or even current freshman, it would be this: join a club. It does not even have to be a sport, just a place where you can socialize and make friends and lasting memories with people who you share a common interest with.
6) How do you manage time between practices, competitions, and other commitments in your life?
It does get complicated sometimes, but I try to come up with a system that helps me to balance all my responsibilities. I have practice Monday-Fridays from 3:30-5:30, all through summer, and boys’ season (August-Oct) girls’ season (Nov-Feb), during Christmas break and then swim season. So, to say polo/swim takes up a substantial portion of my life is an understatement, but I try my best to stay on top of my grades, make time for my family and friends, and have some time for myself. Like I said, it gets hard sometimes but I never stop trying.
7) What advice would you give to younger athletes who aspire to follow in your footsteps?
It is weird to think that people may look up to me, because I see myself still learning and growing as an athlete. One thing I have learned these past three years is to always give yourself credit; do not become arrogant but learn to appreciate the progress you have made and continue to be open to criticism. It is okay to make mistakes but do not dwell on them too much.
8) Can you share a funny or memorable anecdote from your time as an athlete?
The most memorable times as an athlete are our swim meets. I know this is not polo related, but you really do make the best memories at these meets. Meets include both boys and girls although the competition is not Co-Ed. Were always screaming and cheering for each other, hyping each other up during warm-ups and laughing during our break. You cannot find that love and support just anywhere, so I always make sure to be in the moment and enjoy myself.
About the Contributor
Cielo Aguirre, Staff Writer
Cielo Aguirre is the president of The Steeler Chronicle. She is either found in the library with her nose stuck between a romance novel or running away from her problems. If found, please help her find her way.
