Water Polo is often overlooked in the high school sports landscape. Yet for the athletes of West Ottawa High School's Water Polo team, it's a daily passion requiring exceptional physical and mental fortitude. We sit down with team members Liam Tuinstra, Grady Armstrong, Noah Williams, and Coach Alex Wuerfel to explore the demanding world of this unique aquatic sport.
What makes water polo so distinctive is the combination of multiple athletic disciplines. As the players described it, the sport blends elements of swimming, rugby, baseball, soccer, and even basketball. The physicality rivals wrestling and football, with much of the contact happening beneath the surface. "If you can see it, you can call it," explained Coach Wuerfel, highlighting the underwater gamesmanship that defines matches. Players frequently emerge from the pool with scratches and marks – a testament to the sport's intensity that necessitates pre-game fingernail checks to prevent serious injuries.
The endurance requirements for water polo are staggering. Players are constantly treading water using a technique called "egg beating," which involves tracing a D-shape with alternating legs. This specialized movement becomes second nature over time but requires significant practice to master. Coach Wuerfel praised his team's exceptional stamina: "For our guys, that's their biggest strength." The players combine their water polo training with swimming seasons, creating year-round athletes with remarkable cardiovascular capacity. Training extends beyond the pool, with team members incorporating specialized strength training to develop the power needed for shooting and the core strength essential for maintaining position.
Senior Liam Tuinstra shares his journey with a heart condition called SVT that caused irregular heartbeats reaching 250 beats per minute. After undergoing two procedures, including one on Christmas Eve during his junior year, he returned to achieve his goal of making state cuts for swimming.
The team chemistry between these athletes is immediately apparent and they've developed an intuitive understanding of each other's movements and capabilities. "I'll be at point, I'll see him, he'll give me that nod, and I know I just pass it right in," explained Williams about their offensive coordination. This connection extends beyond the pool – the seniors expressed a genuine desire to prepare younger players for success after their graduation, showing their commitment to building a lasting program legacy.
As the West Ottawa water polo team pursues their goal of reaching the state tournament this season, they represent the dedication and perseverance that define high school athletics. Their sport may not always receive the spotlight, but their commitment to excellence in this demanding discipline deserves recognition and respect.

Ready to experience water polo firsthand? Come support these dedicated athletes at their first home game against East Kentwood on September 22nd at South High School's pool. You'll never look at the sport the same way again.

This episode was recorded on September 9, 2025.

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Special thanks to Laura Veldhof Photography.