Athlete of the Week: 10 questions with Will Moran, New Trier water polo

Will Moran was a senior captain for the state-qualifying Trevians water polo team.

1. Do you have any pregame rituals or superstitions?

I don’t have any, but I definitely believe in them. For our water polo games, we usually play at different pools and the atmosphere varies, so I like to go into it ready to play. I play some music beforehand to get me pumped up.

2. What are your plans for next year?

I am going to (the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) and I am planning on studying business. It’s close to family. Ultimately, it’s one of the best schools I got into. It has good business programs, good sports teams, I’m rooming with one my really close friends. I’m excited.

3. When did you get into water polo?

In seventh grade. I’ve always swam, since first or second grade at Michigan Shores Club. (New Trier girls head water polo coach) Matt Wendt was swim coach at Michigan Shores. He recruited me to do New Trier Aquatics water polo.

4. When did you realize it was something you enjoyed?

After the first practice, I definitely was hesitant. I wasn’t very good. But I stuck at it. And in the second or third practice I scored a goal and was like, yeah, this is fun. Since then, I’ve been pretty into it.

5. If you could compete in another sport, what would it be?

Definitely basketball. I used to play basketball as a kid through like eighth grade. It’s just a fun sport. I like watching it, playing pickup with my friends, and New Trier’s team goes down state all the time so I feel like that’s pretty cool.

6. What is your dream job?

This is boring, but something with numbers in finance or accounting and make some money. I want to live in a nice neighborhood when I’m older. Just have a nice job and make some good money.

7. Who is your favorite athlete?

I’m a big fan of LeBron James (NBA-Los Angeles Lakers). I think he’s the GOAT of basketball. I know, I’m a Chicagoan, but LeBron is my era and I grew up watching him play.

8. If you’re in Walgreens with a couple bucks, what are you buying?

I’d probably get a Charleston Chew and like a Diet Coke.

9. What is something people don’t know about you?

I broke my thumb this year. Not a lot of people know that. I was sidelined for six weeks and couldn’t play. That definitely limited me. Also, I’m an All-American water polo player.

10. What’s New Trier water polo mean to you?

New Trier water polo is kind of like a second family. I’ve played all four years, been on varsity all four years. Some of my favorite memories have been from water polo. As a freshman, hanging out with all the seniors, being brought in, those are some of my favorite moments. It’s nice to be a senior and having that same role. We practice in the morning and night five days a week for three moths, so I see these guys almost more than see my parents so it really is like a second family.

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