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47 °F Forecast | Road Cams Monday, January 24, 2005 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Real Estate Guide Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People Volunteer Opportunities Moving to Southern Oregon? MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend October 15, 2004 Making a splash Water polo standout Katy Lawson perseveres in a sport of little fanfare and, this year, pool woes By KEVIN GOFF Mail Tribune In a sport that’s still struggling to tread water in Medford, Katy Lawson has used her time in the pool to transform into a budding water polo star. The North Medford High senior has been the leading goal scorer for the Medford girls team — a mix of South and North Medford players coached by Sue Nicklin — since her freshman season. Lawson, however, is the only player left from the 2001 squad. "I’ve been with so many different teammates," says Lawson, whose team stands at 2-5 following a 16-3 loss to Ashland on Wednesday. "A lot of the girls will try (water polo) and then not stick with it. For me, it’s not about winning, it’s more about just having fun and enjoying the sport." The sport features six competitors and a goalkeeper on each team and has four, seven-minute quarters. A shot clock of 35 seconds is also in play. Advertisement But water polo is not recognized as a sanctioned sport by the Oregon School Activities Association. Approximately 38 schools from around the state have club teams, just two short of the 40 needed to be acknowledged by the OSAA. Both Medford and Ashland also had a setback this year when the Southern Oregon University pool — the practice and game site for each team — shut down for the fall. The SOU pool closed in August for annual repairs but failed to reopen due to problems with the chlorine system. Jackson Wellsprings stepped up to host games between the two squads. But the Eugene teams and the rest of the Southern League refused to come down because the pool doesn’t quite measure up to water polo regulations. "That was pretty disappointing," says Lawson on losing the use of the SOU pool that forced Medford to play most of its league games on the road. "It just means more traveling and fund raising for us." The OSAA may recognize water polo next year, and the SOU pool should be ready in time for the 2005 season, but Lawson won’t be around to enjoy it. Even so, the 17-year-old presses on with a schedule that leaves little time for rest. Lawson’s day begins at 6 a.m. with water polo practice at the Medford YMCA or 24 Hour Fitness. Next is school, where she’s a straight-A student and sports editor of the North Medford school paper. But Lawson did have to give up cross country training after school recently because her body couldn’t keep up with the rigorous schedule. That just freed up more time to promote water polo to other students in hopes of gaining more support in the future. "She’s always talking to other kids and wearing (Medford water polo) sweat shirts," says Lawson’s mother, Kathy. "Katy’s always recruiting." Lawson’s interest in water polo peaked during her eighth-grade year. Her older sister Tia’s boyfriend at the time, Tre Gieg, was a senior member of the Medford water polo team. Lawson, already an avid swimmer, listened to Gieg speak so highly about the sport and decided to try it for herself. "I’ve always liked swimming, but water polo has so much contact in it," says Lawson, who mainly plays the point position. "It’s fun to see how much better you get after each game." Lawson admits she’s tried every sport under the sun, but none have kept her interest like water polo. While she knows there are no state titles coming Medford’s way, Lawson continues to enjoy the time with her teammates and the strides they’ve made. "I savor every game because I know the last one is coming up," she says. "I’ve really come to know and appreciate the game." Reach reporter Kevin Goff at 776-4483 or e-mail [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Student Loan Consolidation Conference Calls - $50/Month Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker, Trunk, Footlockers