Home school high school water polo team leads the way

Rockwall may be home to the nation’s only all home-schooled, high school water polo team – and they are making quite a splash!

012 — Coach Angela Uno (behind goal) Front row – Anna Zieleniewsski, Josiah Panak Back – Will Pecena, Ty Cowan, Burke Seggerman, Marshall Garrett, Sean Fletcher Not pictured: Joel Overstreet, Lana Thorman

ROCKWALL, TX (March 17, 2014) Marshall Garrett started playing water polo for the Rockwall Water Polo Club in the 12-yr-old & under under coed division. Life was good as this afforded Marshall the opportunity to bond with friends year round as the water polo club offered league play in all four seasons.

016 — Lana Thorman showing her shooting form

Sean Fletcher began playing in the 7^th grade. He followed his younger brother Kyle into this game which they developed a passion for. Sean needed a sport flexible enough to fit around his busy soccer schedule. Water Polo in Rockwall allowed for that. Spring season seemed to be very popular for both as it created a chance for the athletes to compete for a chance to play in the Texas Age Group Championships. That was until something happened to both….they entered high school.

In Texas, spring is the season high schools begin practicing and competing for opportunities in regional and state tournaments against other high school teams. For Marshall and Sean, it was a three month break in water polo as home schooled high school students are not allowed to compete on local high school teams.

006 — Coach Angela Uno, Committee Chair Linda Fletcher and Club President Jim Hummingbird

Linda Fletcher (Sean and Kyle’s mother) approached Rockwall Water Polo Club president Jim Hummingbird about this predicament. After a few e-mails and phone calls, Hummingbird established a committee, chaired by Linda Fletcher and including home school parents Cindi Garrett and Karen Jennings. Their role was to determine if there would be enough interest among other home school students in the area to support an all “home school” water polo team. Hummingbird’s role was to make sure this could be legally done and that the club parent board would be supportive of administering the first year. With commitments in hand and the green light for the athletes to compete, the Rockwall Water Polo board approved its role as the team’s administrative support system. The club hired Angela Uno as its first coach.

The team practices on Wednesday and Thursday nights, side by side with the Rockwall Water Polo Club’s 6^th/8^th grade and under youth teams. Most of the team members are learning this game for the first time while Sean and Marshall are playing heavy leadership rolls for their home schooled friends. They will compete in their first games later this March and are looking forward to competing in the North Texas Consolidated Championships on April 19^th, 2014.

KyleJosiahBryan — Future home school high school water polo players Kyle Fletcher, Josiah Overstreet and Bryan Jennings

With youth players (middle school home schoolers) Kyle Fletcher, Bryan Jennings and Josiah Overstreet waiting in the wings, the program seems to have a bright future ahead.

For more information, or if you are a home schooled high school student interested in playing, contact Jim Hummingbird at jhbird001@hotmail.com. The team welcomes new members throughout the season.

Information & photos provided by Jim Hummingbird, Rockwall Water Polo Club.

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High School, home school, hummingbird, Rockwall, water polo club