Honoring Team Mates 04/06/12

Team USA completed a short training week on Wednesday night. Coaches, players and staff have all been working extremely hard and a long weekend off is needed. At this point, we are close to half way through are full time training. We started the year in Australia and are now just short of 3 ½ months into it. We have just over 100 days to go until Opening Ceremonies. There is sense of urgency that is growing with each week – really with each day that passes. We all know that with each day we are a little closer to making our dreams come true – representing the USA at the Olympic Games and having a chance at winning a gold medal. Perhaps this seems a contradiction to talk about urgency but take some time off? Truth is that this journey is a balancing act. On one side there is the risk of just pushing through and getting to the Olympic Games and being fatigued and burned out. On the other hand, we need to make sure that we are the most prepared team there… I believe that we are on a good path. We are putting the time in and “grinding out” some very difficult workouts. We need to balance that out with some rest and perhaps a bit of fun with family and friends. That is what this weekend is all about. We have four days off to be with family and relax, reconnect and rejuvenate. It is well deserved and in my opinion, a very important part of this process and ultimately our success.
This was a difficult week as I had to sit with two players and tell them that they were done. It is a terrible job. Honestly, it is the worst part of what I do. I feel for these guys. Each has sacrificed so much to try to make this a reality and they are all very gifted athletes. When you think about it - they are one of the top 18 water polo athletes in our country. What I thought I would do is tell you a bit about the two athletes that we cut this past week. My intention is this – to honor them as a part of our team. They have made our team better. In practice, they pushed the others to a higher level. They gave it all they had but unfortunately came up a bit short. These guys have nothing to be ashamed of – they did there best and that is what life and sport is all about. Let me introduce you to these two team mates (family members).
Jeff Tyrell is 26 years old. He is 6”5’ and 215 lbs. He was born in Mountain View, California and attended UC Berkeley where is graduated in 2007. While at CAL he was a part of the national championship teams in 2006 and 2007. He was an All-American in both of these years also. After graduating as an Academic All – American he began playing club water polo for the New York Athletic Club. He has played professionally in Italy as well. Jeff joined the senior national team in 2006 and has travelled with us on numerous trips. He was a part of our team that placed fourth in the 2010 World Cup. He is one of the fastest players on the team. He also shoots the ball as hard as anyone on the team. Jeff is very strong in the water and plays the role of a center defender.
Janson Wigo is 6”3’, 195 lbs and left handed. He was born in New York but grew up in Fort Lauderdale. He attended Stanford University with his twin brother Drac. Both graduated in 2010. After graduation he has played for the New York Athletic Club and professionally for one season in Croatia. He was a member of our Junior National Team and played for the 2011 World University Games Team last year. He has been training with the national team for the past year. Water Polo is definitely in his blood. His brother, Wolf, is a three time Olympian and his father, Bruce, is the past Executive Director of USA Water Polo. At 24, Janson is the youngest member of our national team.
My hat is off to these two players. I appreciate what they gave –their time, their effort and their passion. I am confident that both will be future Olympians and I wish them the best on their journey.
The team goes back to work on Monday morning. Have a Happy Easter!
See you at the pool.
Coach