Water Polo requires a level of endurance that is matched by only a handful of other sports. With the possibility of leaving the starters in for the entire game all but impossible, a certain level of depth is required. "It's like soccer, but it's got the aggressiveness of rugby and football," said Mari Guttman '09. "And there's water!"
The Black Sheep, the women's water polo team, has yet to lose a game this season, and have won all their games by more than five goals.
The record has not gone unnoticed, as the team is ranked first in conference and is poised to do well this upcoming weekend in the Heartland Conference tournament. "We are really excited for this weekend," said Guttman. "We have been working extra hard because it would be great to represent Grinnell at the national level."
If the Black Sheep are able to win conference for the first time in their history, they will be headed to nationals. That being said, they have come a long way from their humble beginnings.
Six years ago, the women's water polo team got so small they had to forfeit a tournament. If a team forfeits a tournament by not going, according to league rules, the team will therefore be suspended from the league.
Grinnell went two years without a women's water polo team. All that changed in 2004, when renewed interest in the sport provided a full roster and a triumphant return to the league. This return also brought a new name and identity to the team. "We were suspended for two years, but we came back, we were the Black Sheep." said Brianne Benness '08. "Plus it was a name of a brewery."
As a club team, the Black Sheep do not actually have a coach to make sure that practices are efficient. The team, however, is able to come together and support one and another in making sure that practices are beneficial. Furthermore, the Black Sheep face an additional challenge in that practice time is limited; as a club sport they can only practice when they find open times in the pool.
Even with those restrictions, this year's team may be the strongest Grinnell has ever seen. "This year's team is by far the best team since I have been here," said Guttman. "Never before have I been on a team where everyone performs so well."
While the Wild Turkeys, the men's water polo team, have gained prominence with their second place in nationals last semester, the women have yet to reach that notoriety.
Both teams compete in the Heartland Conference, which has a different mixture of teams than the traditional MWC in which our sports teams compete. Instead, the Heartland encompasses Knox, Lindenwood, Illinois Wesleyan, St. Mary's, Iowa State and Carleton. The Black Sheep's toughest competition may come from an undefeated Carleton squad who also hope to reach nationals.
A number-one ranking, however, will be on the Black Sheep's side as they head into pool at Iowa State University this weekend. "I really hope to go to nationals this year," said Benness. "It's in Oregon!"
Even if the team does not manage to reach nationals after this weekend, they have come a long way from where it was four years ago. "This season has been wonderful," said Guttman. " I have never seen such dedication and hard work."
