BRIDGEPORT, Pa. — The Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) is spotlighting the 2020 women’s seniors who had their season cut-short due to the Coronavirus. Conducted through written word or by video, the league’s intention is to recognize its membership.
Next up is the United States Coast Guard Academy women’s collegiate club Head coach/Lt. Kent Hunt highlights his senior class with their billet assignments where they will serve after graduation:
- Emily Wright (captain) – Will serve as an engineering officer in training on the Coast Guard Cutter Diligence out of Wilmington, North Carolina.
- Brandee Schiller (co-captain) – Will serve as an engineering officer in training on the Coast Guard Cutter Confidence out of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
- Hollis Roush – Will serve as an engineering officer in training on the Coast Guard Cutter Dauntless out of Galveston, Texas.
- Jillian Stuckey (captain) – Will serve as a deck watch officer on the Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf out of Alemeda, California.
- Catherine Burns – Will serve as a deck watch officer on the Coast Guard Cutter Cypress out of Pensacola, Florida.
- Emma Compagnoni (captain) – Will serve as a deck watch officer on the Coast Guard Cutter Richard Snyder out of Atlantic Beach, North Carolina.
- Kacie Mau (captain) – Will serve as an engineering officer in training on the Coast Guard Cutter Resolute out of St. Petersburg, Florida.
- Sarah Eaton – Will serve as an engineering officer in training on the Coast Guard Cutter Alert based out of Astoria, Oregon.
- Katherine McDonnell – Will start basic flight training to become a Coast Guard Aviator in Pensacola, Florida.
- Daniela Pimentel-Espino – Will return to her home country of Mexico to serve in the Mexican Navy.
Lt. Hunt notes, “Last year the CGA women’s team had one win on the season. Out of our team of 26 only a few had played water polo before college and about half were playing their first ever water polo season. There was hardly any senior leadership that year and it was primarily the juniors (this year’s seniors) who led the team, though only one of them had significant water polo experience. Last year the development was remarkable, despite having severely restricted access to pool time for practices.”
“This year those same seniors recruited additional players allowing the roster to grow to 37 at the start of the year. This forced us in the best way to field two teams for the season. Due to limited pool availability the team often was forced to practice at 0500. Even with this practice time these seniors inspired their teammates to show up ready to go with an incredible work ethic. (see attached photo of 5 a.m. practice) The work ethic, team camaraderie, and consistent positive attitude had a drastic effect. Not only were we able to field two separate teams this season, but each of the teams we had would have beaten our team from last year. We chose to split up the teams evenly to start the season, and what is more, we split up our lineups evenly as well. Even with our experience spread out between four different lineups we still had some very close games during that first tournament and I have no doubt that on we would have been a force when combined for the division championships. This team was a joy to coach and I credit a lot of that to the outstanding leadership of its seniors.”
2020 United States Coast Guard Women’s Water Polo Seniors
2020 United States Coast Guard Women’s Water Polo Practice
