Senior leaders Helm, Delma steady Thomas Worthington, Kilbourne girls water polo teams
Looking for a way to improve her game, Charlotte Helm took part in the USA Water Polo Olympic Development Program at both the regional and national levels last spring.
As one of four seniors on the Thomas Worthington girls team, the experience has made a difference for both Helm and the Cardinals.
“She started her sophomore year and was a good role player for us,” said Olivia Miranda, who is in her eighth season coaching both Thomas and Worthington Kilbourne. “Her work with USA Water Polo really elevated her game. So, when she started her senior season, she (became) someone (opposing) teams had to take seriously in the center position.”
Last spring, Helm competed on USA Water Polo’s Great Lakes Zone team with athletes from Ohio, Pennsylvania and Michigan. The team played in a regional tournament in North Carolina before competing in a national tournament in California.
“I wanted to do something in the offseason to get better and it was something I knew was a good opportunity,” Helm said. “The competition is just a lot more difficult out (in California)."
The Cardinals were 13-12 after going 1-3 at the Beast of the East tournament at Mechanicsburg (Pennsylvania) Cumberland Valley on Sept. 24 and Shillington (Pennsylvania) Governor Mifflin on Sept. 25. Eleven of the 17 players on the roster are sophomores or younger.
“It’s really interesting to see how water polo is different in different regions,” Helm said. “In California, it’s like soccer is here – everyone does it. It’s a lot more physical (in Pennsylvania). Playing some teams that we’ve never played before helps us see different styles of play and maybe we can implement that into our own (style).”
Similarly, Kilbourne has a senior standout in Paige Delma, who also is leading a team of young athletes. The Wolves were 17-6 after going 3-1 in the Milford Invitational on Sept. 23 and 24.
Fourteen of the 18 Wolves players are sophomores or younger, with freshman Madelyn Richner and sophomore Alex DeCarlo playing significant roles.
“Kilbourne’s always been super scrappy and had a lot of heart,” Miranda said. “Things are clicking and they’re really playing well as a team, which has been really helpful.”
The Wolves handed defending state champion Upper Arlington its first loss of the season, 7-6 in overtime, to win the Ohio Cup held Sept. 17 and 18 at Worthington Pools.
“It was honestly one of the most exciting games I’ve seen in high school water polo,” Miranda said. “No Worthington team, boys or girls, has won (the Ohio Cup) in my time (here). Paige played (three) games with a badly swollen finger and scored five goals in the championship game. I know it was causing her a lot of pain.
“I think she’s one of the best players in the state, bar none. Paige is a phenomenal swimmer. She’s not only a swimmer, but has a lacrosse background. She can combine her athleticism in the water with that great team knowledge.”
Delma’s background in swimming and lacrosse helped her make a seamless transition in water polo. This is only her second year competing in the sport, but she swam in the Division I state meet last winter in four events – the 200-yard individual medley, 100 breaststroke, 200 medley relay and 200 freestyle relay.
“Just because I swim, water polo seemed like a good sport for me because, obviously, swimming is a big aspect of water polo,” she said. “I think I’ve been able to (adapt) because I played lacrosse before I played water polo. Offensively and defensively, the way the plays are set up for lacrosse and water polo are similar. So, understanding how the game is set up and how to move around the ball has the same traits as lacrosse.”
Senior Kennedy O’Brien and juniors Hannah Lehr and Tatiana Najera, a goalie, also are playing big roles with the Wolves.
For Thomas, Helm and classmate Natalie Smith are the only seniors who play significant minutes. The Cardinals feature a strong pair of sophomores in Leah Oberle and Natalie Holub and a freshman, Sophia Hoffman, in goal.
“Thomas has all the right parts, they just need it all to click at the same time,” Miranda said. “We haven’t seen that yet this season. I think they’re incredibly strong defensively, but their offense can be a little hot and cold. Quite frankly, I’d rather have it that way. I’d rather have their defense be solid. I think they’ll get through it (and) I’m not worried about them.”
@ThisWeekRich
