Jan. 26, 2009
BERKELEY - The California women's water polo team welcomes 12 newcomers to the squad for the 2009 season. CalBears.com recently sat down with the newcomers to learn more about each player's history, interests and experiences thus far as a Golden Bear.
Lauren Barron
Position: Driver
Height: 5-7
Hometown: Commerce, Calif.
High School: Whittier HS
CalBears.com: Why did you choose Cal?
LB: "It was the best of both worlds. I am receiving an education from the best public university in the country and I have the opportunity to play on one of the top college water polo teams."
CalBears.com: What has been the hardest, most surprising aspect about transitioning from high school to college?
LB: "It was difficult to leave my family and friends. I also had to instantly become responsible for myself and my academics. I had the option to and did attend Summer Bridge, which helped enormously with the transition. I now consider it my second home full of sisters to share moments with."
CalBears.com: What is your favorite part about water polo or how did you get started playing polo?
LB: "My favorite part about water polo is that is it a team sport. It is basketball, soccer, volleyball, swimming and wrestling in 12 feet of water, so I consider being able to play all those sports in one. It is tough and physical, and I love that. But most importantly, it is spontaneous - you are always moving and creating plays."
Kathryn Bustard
Position: Driver
Height: 5-6
Hometown: Irvine, Calif.
High school: Foothill HS
CalBears.com: What is your favorite part about water polo or how did you get started playing polo?
KB: "Since I was young I always loved the water. I would get so excited about water that I'd even jump in with my clothes on. My parents put me in swim lessons around age four. I then started playing water polo at age eight with influence from my dad because he played water polo in high school and college."
CalBears.com: Do you have any outside hobbies? Do you have any unique stories about yourself or qualities that set you apart from your teammates?
KB: "When I'm not in season, I'm part of a Tahitian dance group called Hitia o' te Ra. I also enjoy dancing hula and going to the beach."
CalBears.com: What has been your favorite moment as a Golden Bear?
KB: "Cheering for Cal at the men's water polo game against Stanford. Go Bears!"
Emily Csikos
Position: Driver
Height: 5-8
Hometown: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
High school: Henry Wise Wood High School
CalBears.com: Why did you choose Cal?
EC: "It's an excellent school with a great water polo program. I also wanted to be coached by Rich Corso."
CalBears.com: Is there anything that sets you apart from your teammates?
EC: "My high school did not have a water polo team. In the last few years, I have competed on the Canadian women's national team. We took second at the Pan-American games and fourth at World League Super Finals."
CalBears.com: What has been your favorite moment as a Golden Bear?
EC: "I really like the school spirit and support that the Cal student-athletes show each other."
Lindsay Dorst
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 5-11
Hometown: Menlo Park, Calif.
High school: Sacred Heart Prep
CalBears.com: What has been the hardest, most surprising aspect about transitioning from high school to college?
LD: "I've been missing my friends from home. It's also difficult for me to not be able to go to all my little sister's polo games."
CalBears.com: What has been your favorite part about college life so far?
LD: "I'm enjoying being more independent. I've also liked meeting new and interesting people in my dorms and classes."
CalBears.com: What is your favorite part about water polo or how did you get started playing polo?
LD: "My cousin and I went to our first practice together when we were in 6th grade. We had a hard time playing in the deep end."
Stefania Giovenco
Position: Goalkeeper
HeigHeight: 5-9
Hometown: Alameda, Calif.
High school: Bishop O'Dowd HS
CalBears.com: What has been the hardest, most surprising aspect about transitioning from high school to college?
SG: "I'd say the sudden freedom and not living at home and coming home to your family and or pets. Also having big lecture classes and having to do a lot more time management. Overall, I'd say the hardest has been time management."
CalBears.com: What is your favorite part about water polo or how did you get started playing polo?
SG: "The adrenaline of the game and those times when you block an important shot. My dad played water polo in Italy. In high school, he and I went to the athletics barbeque for my high school, and I was looking at some of the sports and my dad suggested water polo. Ever since that first day of practice I've fallen in love with the sport."
CalBears.com: Do you have any outside hobbies? Do you have any unique stories about yourself or qualities that set you apart from your teammates?
SG: "Some of my outside hobbies are playing pick up games of soccer or ultimate Frisbee. I love motorcycles, photography and art. I also love traveling!"
Libby McLaren
Position: Utility
Height: 5-8
Hometown: Moraga, Calif.
High school: Miramonte HS
CalBears.com: What has been your favorite part about college life so far?
LM: "There have been so many amazing things happen to me since I have been here, but definitely meeting so many wonderfully diverse people has to top the list."
CalBears.com: What is your favorite part about water polo or how did you get started playing polo?
LM: "My friend dragged me along to one of her games when I was 10. Her team ended up being short a player, so I filled in. From that day, I have been playing it and loving it ever since. My favorite parts of water polo are definitely traveling and being able to be on teams with girls who have essentially become my best friends."
CalBears.com: Do you have any outside hobbies? Do you have any unique stories about yourself or qualities that set you apart from your teammates?
LM: "I love being outdoors and just being busy. I'm from Australia, and I grew up on the beach, so I love anything to do with the sun and the surf. I have played soccer, field hockey, basketball, netball, tennis, cross country, but ended up sticking with water polo."
Jessica Robinson
Position: Driver
Height: 5-8
Hometown: Newport Beach, Calif.
High school: Newport Harbor HS
CalBears.com: What has been the hardest, most surprising aspect about transitioning from high school to college?
JR: "It is different actually living with your teammates than just going to school with them."
CalBears.com: What has been your favorite part about college life so far?
JR: "I have met so many awesome people since I have been here. Everyone is so welcoming and friendly, it is hard not to love Berkeley!"
CalBears.com: What is your favorite part about water polo or how did you get started playing polo?
JR: "I love the team aspect of playing water polo because you know that there is always someone that is there to back you up. I also would never be able to play a land sport, so water polo suits me perfectly."
Kimberly Sanguinetti
Position: Driver
Height: 5-10
Hometown: Orinda, Calif.
High school: Miramonte HS
CalBears.com: What has been your favorite part about college life so far?
KS: "Getting to know so many new people and becoming a Golden Bear in general."
CalBears.com: What is your favorite part about water polo or how did you get started playing polo?
KS: "I started playing water polo when I was in 6th grade after attending a clinic run by my childhood swim coach, Heather Petri, who is a three-time Olympian and former Golden Bear."
CalBears.com: Do you have any outside hobbies? Do you have any unique stories about yourself or qualities that set you apart from your teammates?
KS: "I love going to Golden State Warriors games with my dad. I also love Italian food and traveling to Europe."
Sonja Stankovic
Position: Driver
Height: 5-10
Hometown: Belgrade, Serbia
High school: British International School
CalBears.com: What has been the hardest, most surprising aspect about transitioning from high school to college?
SS: "The most difficult thing was moving alone from Europe to the United States, which is a country that I've never been to before."
CalBears.com: What is your favorite part about water polo or how did you get started playing polo?
SS: "Teamwork - how all the players become one when they are in water. There are no more `I' or `you' but only we!
CalBears.com: Do you have any outside hobbies? Do you have any unique stories about yourself or qualities that set you apart from your teammates?
SS: "I'm left-handed. I'm also a member of the Serbian junior and senior national teams."
Athina Vazeos
Position: Two-meter defender
Height: 6-0
Hometown: Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada
High school: Port Moody Secondary
CalBears.com: Why did you choose Cal?
AV: "I chose Cal because I knew that the school excelled in both water polo and academics. I also really wanted to be coached by Rich Corso."
CalBears.com: What has been the hardest, most surprising aspect about transitioning from high school to college?
AV: "For me, it's been being so far from home. It's hard going from being the oldest on a water polo team to now being the youngest."
CalBears.com: What has been your favorite part about college life so far?
AV: "My favorite part about college has been meeting so many people. I also really enjoy training with the team and being part of the Cal team."
Elizabeth Wheeler
Position: Two-meter defender
Height: 5-7
Hometown: Newport Harbor, Calif.
High school: Newport Harbor HS
CalBears.com Why did you choose Cal?
EW: "I love the area and the school is great. Plus my whole family has gone here - my dad, an uncle and my sister."
CalBears.com: What has been the hardest, most surprising aspect about transitioning from high school to college?
EW: "Learning time management. We have a lot to do during the day - from classes to homework to practice. It's important to fit everything in."
CalBears.com: What is your favorite part about water polo or how did you get started playing polo?
EW: "All my best friends are in the pool with me."
