The Collegian

Issue date: 11/18/05 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Karyn Gilbert Sophomore Katrina Cockerill sits near June Fergusson Pool. She has been named to the first team for the second year in a row. [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Karyn Gilbert Sarah Watt leads the state with 119 goals in her freshman season. She also received the honor of being named all-American. [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Karyn Gilbert Freshman Melisa Addison holds the second spot with 237 saves in her first year as a goalie for the Delta Mustangs. [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Karyn Gilbert Top stars on delta´s lady waterpolo [Click to enlarge]

Appearances often have a habit of being deceiving.

Water polo has the look of a Sunday swim at Grandma's house, but beneath the surface is a carb-obliterating endurance test.

At first glance the Delta women's water polo team gives the impression of a collection of the girls next door. Get those same girls on the road and a PG, estrogen-fueled version of "Animal House," complete with tales of food fights and car rides plays out, testing the sanity of both coaches and food service employees.

"I must admit we have had our fun on the road," said sophomore Katrina Cockerill. "On one trip we threw pizza dough at our coach, which didn't seem to please the restaurant employees. On car rides we have been known to dance, scream and get pretty rowdy."

Tales of Disney-level debauchery aside, this has been a fruitful year for the Mustangs, especially when it comes to racking up statewide and even national level accolades.

Heading that list would be freshman Sarah Watt, who ranked number one in the state among goal scores and was also named Big Seven South MVP. Her efforts didn't go unnoticed, as she received the prestigious All-American nod of approval.

"I try to set my goals within the team game, but the personal achievements have been exciting," said Watt. "I just love to play this sport; I really have a passion for it."

A good chunk of that success is owed to the number-two assist leader in the state, Katrina Cockerill. Their relationship dates back to their days on the Tokay High School team. Their chemistry has been well honed and has entered the level of telepathic communication through subtle facial expressions.

"I love playing with her," said Cockerill, "We know what the other will do just by looking at each other."

The 2005 campaign wasn't a year of eye-popping success, but the year did allow the Mustangs to meet the resolve-testing challenge. The starting goalie was lost early in the year, which sent the team scrambling for a replacement. Enter Melissa Addison, who made the seamless transition from field player to goalie, becoming the runner-up saves leader in the state.

"Melissa was awesome for us," said Watt. "Without her we wouldn't have gotten as far as we did."

It can be argued that the overall record and a brief appearance at the Nor-Cal tournament didn't do the individual accolades justice.

"We were an up-and-down team all year," said Cockerill. "Once we started to gel, it was too late to make it to the state tournament. It was a good year, but it could have been better."

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