Kaiser Cougar’s Anela Alumbaugh Leads Water Polo Team
By Jack Danilewicz
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Some water polo players can get by on skill; still others with a workman-like approach. Midway through the prep season, there can be little doubt that Kaiser High senior Anela Alumbaugh brings both skill and the right work ethic to the pool every day.
Indeed, before she became the OIA’s second leading scorer, Alumbaugh first won over her teammates.
“She’s really driven and dedicated,” said teammate Vanessa Lilly,“and she’s really good at scoring. She gets by a lot on her effort, and she’s our leader. She communicates well with the team and tells us what we can do.”
For her part, Alumbaugh holds yet another distinction with the Cougars.“I’m probably the smallest player on the team,” said Alumbaugh, who has entered the scoring column 27 times in her first six games, placing her one behind Ocean Radke of Castle for top scoring honors in the conference.
In fact, with her 5-foot-1 -inch frame, Alumbaugh is swift and shifty in the pool - attributes that help her uncanny knack for scoring. She also is a year-round swimmer with Kamehameha Swim Club. And while she has been a competitive swimmer from an early age, Alumbaugh already has the skill set of a veteran water polo player, although she didn’t begin playing until eighth grade.
“It’s pretty intense since we have to tread water the whole time,“she admitted.“Girls can be rough with you. If I need to be, I will (too). I like the challenge and the fact that it’s a team sport.
“I like water polo more - it’s more enjoyable (than competitive swimming). It helps to keep me in shape. I’ve always been serious about it.”
On the subject of her small stature, she recognizes the advantages.
“It’s easier to get around people. If they are big, I have to work to get around them.”
Alumbaugh is one of several Kaiser teammates with a competitive swimming background, which is a real boost to the Cougars’ chances, she figures. Team unity also has been a strength.
“Having a lot of swimmers helps a lot,” she said. “I like to be able to get the ball on a fast break. We also have no dramas, which is good.”
Alumbaugh is a four-year letterman on the varsity team, which is coached by Sean Barrett. Kaiser has never made the state water polo tournament, but it would appear to be on pace to change that. They enter the second round of their schedule this week with a 4-2 record, having posted wins over Kalaheo, Castle, Moanalua and Kailua, while losing to Kapolei and Kahuku. Next up is a series of games versus West Division opponents. The OIA post-season tournament will follow with the top five finishers earning the league berth to states.
“I am hoping we make it this year,” Alumbaugh said. “We think about getting to states a lot and doing well in the OIA (tournament). I think we’ve been doing good.
If we keep practicing, we’ll get better and better. This is the best year we’ve had since I’ve been here, so I think we’re pretty strong.”
Alumbaugh also excels in the classroom and would like to go on to be either a writer or a physician someday.
“I feel like I should help others if I get the opportunity,” she said.
She has two brothers (Victor and Koa) and a sister (Ana). She credits her parents, Richard and Dee, with fueling her work ethic.
“They want me to work hard, and I want to make them proud,” she said. “My parents have had the biggest impact.”
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