Emma Chatson ’18, a three-year Upper from North Andover, Mass., began playing water polo for the first time as a Junior on Andover Girls Water Polo. As a member of Andover Girls Swimming, Chatson was able to use her experience as a swimmer to make a transition to water polo.
Despite only playing water polo for three years, Chatson’s knowledge of the sport has increased and she has devoted time and energy towards honing her skills in the pool, according to Head Coach Daniel O’Shea and her teammates.
Coach O’Shea wrote in an email to The Phillipian, “Emma is hands down one of the hardest-working girls on the team. She clearly gives her all at every practice and consistently works hard to improve herself.”
Chatson has also improved within her position of goalie, according to Coach O’Shea. With her ability to communicate and direct her teammates from the net, Chatson has become an integral piece to the team’s defense.
“As a goalie she has improved in leaps and bounds over the past couple years. Her throwing arm has clearly gotten stronger, and her positioning in the cage is excellent. She has no fear whatsoever and I think is more than ready to hold down the fort,” Coach O’Shea wrote.
Co-Captain Morgan Rooney ’17 said, “As a goalie, she obviously has an imperative role on the team, but she really is a huge director for us. When we are scrimmaging, or playing a game, she helps direct people where to go because she can see the entire pool.”
Along with her skill set, Chatson brings a positive attitude to practice everyday and exudes the value of kindness, according to Coach O’Shea and her teammates.
Coach O’Shea said, “She brings a really positive attitude to her play and is just a great player to have on the team.”
Rooney said, “Emma is honestly one of the sweetest people I have ever met. I adore her and am so blessed that I get to work with her every day because she really is an amazing and talented human being. It has been so incredible to watch her grow over the past three years.”
Due to her dedication, passion, and talent for the sport, Chatson has earned the title of The Phillipian’s Athlete of the Week.
What is your favorite thing about water polo?
As a sport, I love the high intensity of the games. I love how they’re fast-paced and I love how they change so quickly. The sport really forces you to think on your feet.
How do you hope to grow as a player this season?
As a player, I hope to improve on what I’ve learned over the past two years. I also hope to improve my strength and my ability to communicate with the other players. Because I’m the only goalie this year, I have to really step up my performance. Last year, I only had to play in the shallow-end of the pool, which means I was able to stand, so having to now play the whole game on both ends of the pool will be a huge adjustment for me. Nevertheless, I have faith in myself, my coaches, and my teammates.
What hopes do you have for the team this season?
This season, the team is really young and pretty small in numbers, but also very talented. We have a lot of potential. I hope that the team really focuses on developing their skills and just improving themselves, and I think everything else will fall into place, concerning the success of our games.
What is your favorite thing about the team?
This year, especially because the team is so small, I think we’re all going to have a really tight bond, and I think we’re all going to get to know each other really well. I’m super excited to get to know everyone and I love that everyone is constantly so nice and supportive.
What hopes do you have for the team this season?
This season, the team is really young and pretty small in numbers, but also very talented. We have a lot of potential. I hope that the team really focuses on developing their skills and just improving themselves, and I think everything else will fall into place, concerning the success of our games.