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Player Spotlight
MARI GUTTMAN
Illpolo.com's All-Illpolo Fourth Team
Mari Guttman emerged in her senior year and stepped her game up in 2005
to help Northside Prep finish the regular season with a 18-9 record and a
Chicago Public League title. She was named to the
All-Illpolo fourth team and was also selected to the All-Lefty team for
her performance. We asked Mari the following
questions in an exclusive Illpolo.com interview:
College choices, major, current GPA?
My choices for college came down to three schools: Grinnell in Iowa,
Carleton in Minnesota, and Occidental in California. I’m undecided in a
major, but interests include political science, law, and sports journalism
or sports marketing. My current GPA is a 4.6 weighted, and around a 3.8
not weighted.
Experience, Club Team, Zone Teams, Off-season work?
I have been playing polo for 4 years now. In
the off-season I usually swim competitively to keep in shape, and in the
past year I’ve played on Northside’s club team.
When did you start? How? Where?
I started playing polo my freshman year in high school – after being a swimmer my whole life, polo was something that was new to me. Before high school, I had intentions of playing women’s softball, but this all changed after other players and coaches convinced me to try playing polo. Once I got in the water and played, I was hooked, and my thoughts of softball were replaced with the possibilities of playing polo.
Awards and achievements?
I have started on the women’s varsity for all four years, and I have been a co-captain for the past two years.
Personal interests? Music? TV shows?
As far as personal interests go, I’m a big
baseball fan, particularly for the White Sox. Also, I like taking road
trips – there is a big thrill in going somewhere I have never been, or
doing something that I have never done. Besides these things, my younger
sister, Sandy, is really cool, and we always seem to be able to entertain
each other well when either of us gets bored.
Goals for the future with polo? School? Life?
As for the future, I plan on playing polo for as long as I can. I am going to attend Grinnell College in Iowa as an incoming freshman for the fall of this year. Grinnell has both a women’s and men’s club polo team – last year the men’s team made it all the way to club nationals. I hope to play on the women’s teams, and stay in shape in the off season by practicing with the men’s team and possibly joining the school’s swim team. In terms of my goals for life, I’m not sure, but what I do know is that I plan on having a good time no matter what I do, and I hope to keep on having new experiences.
Motivation, inspiration?
My motivation probably comes from my fondness
from the game. I play because I love the game – there’s something about
this sport that makes me wanting more and more of it. In terms of
inspiration, I draw it mainly from the other girls on the team – nothing
is more fun and inspiring when every person in the water is working
together. Plus, knowing that others will always be there to support you is
very comforting. Especially when it came to this year – I think our team
did a good job in showing that we could compete with other good,
competitive teams, and knowing this is inspiration within itself.
First Season role?
My first season role…trying not to get killed or making any “freshman” mistakes...as a freshman my role in the first season was mainly to try and learn the game from the older girls, but specifically speaking, I served as more of a defensive driver.
Soph, junior year role?
After freshman year, I became more of an offensive driver, and learned how to utilize being left-handed as well as working on counter attacks – I also did the swim-off when it was on the right side of the pool.
Stats?
Season stats include: 118 shots, 69 points, 60% shooting accuracy, 19 of the goals were made from set, 24 came on counter attacks, and 12 were on man up. Also, I had 12 assists, 40 steals, and 3 field blocks.
Additional?
I’m sad to be leaving my high school team, and all the girls on it, but I know they’ll continue to strengthen Northside’s water polo program.
