It’s every athlete’s dream.
It’s a goal that many have wanted ever since shooting
their first basketball, swinging their first bat, or even scoring
their first goal.
This past year, five Bruins had their aspirations become a
reality.
Instead of playing collegiate water polo, Natalie Golda, Thalia
Munro, Kelly Rulon, Amber Stachowski and Gabrielle Domanic all had
the privilege and the honor to be selected to represent the United
States in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.
“Getting to wear the flag on your cap, and having USA
across your chest, is just an indescribable feeling,” Golda
said. “I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
With the bulk of the national team coming from UCLA, Bruin coach
Adam Krikorian is thrilled about the growth each player has
exhibited both as an athlete and as a person.
“I take pride in having so many girls on this team,”
Krikorian said. “All these players have gone through all
their own unique challenges to get to this point.
“I know how much work they’ve put in, and it makes
me so proud.”
As the road to Greece nears, each player has had her share of
experiences.
Four months ago, Stachowski was involved in a near-fatal car
accident.
After only two months of rest, Stachowski decided to practice,
but she was set back even further when she sustained another blow
to the head from a water polo ball.
“It felt like I was in the accident all over again,”
Stachowski said. “I was like, “˜Oh no, not
this.'”
But this time around Stachowski stayed out six weeks and has
made significant strides to returning back to Olympic form.
“I’m definitely feeling much better,”
Stachowski said. “My headaches are all gone.”
Stachowski has been training with the national team, but only
under light conditions. She expects to make her return in a month
at the Holiday Cup.
While playing for the national team has been halted for
Stachowski, newcomer Domanic has cherished every moment in the pool
with some of the most talented players in the United States.
After signing a letter of intent with the Bruins last year,
Domanic decided to defer her admission when she was asked to join
the national team. Thus far, it has been a superb experience.
“I love international play,” Domanic said.
“It’s so much more intense. It’s a whole new
world of water polo.”
Munro has also benefited as much as Domanic from being a member
of the national team.
“It’s allowed me to expand water polo and areas of
my life as well,” Munro said. “All the players have
contributed in me becoming the player I am today.”
Since Feb. 13, Team USA has travelled around the college circuit
and tallied a perfect 13-0 record.
In the coming weeks, the national team will continue its
preparation as it travels to Australia and Russia.
“It’s pretty amazing being welcomed by the crowds,
the hosts and the players,” Stachowski said. “It made
me feel like what I was doing was worth something.”
With practices lasting virtually the entire day, some of the
Bruins have admitted at times that playing just water polo becomes
tiresome. All five athletes have taken the academic year off to
train full-time.
“It’s just weird not having class,” Golda
said. “Sometimes I wish I had something to study as opposed
to watching VH1.”
Next season, all the national players will be returning to the
Bruin squad, making UCLA an undeniable powerhouse.
And as the months wind down, nostalgia has hit a few of the
Bruins as they reflect on the future and their desire to return
back home.
“It’s important to focus on what I’m doing
now, but I’m really excited next year because we’re
going to be really good,” Rulon said.