A lot of teens recite the classic complaint, “There’s nothing to do.” But for Isaac Knowles there is always something to do.
The Righetti High School freshman plays water polo for the JV novice squad. The Warriors water polo team has a reputation for excellence, and that excellence doesn’t come without a lot of dedicated work. Knowles attends water polo practice six days a week. Morning practice starts at 6 a.m., and he’s either hitting the weights with the team or else getting in some pool time. Then it’s school, homework, fitting in some time to eat, and then back in the water for some after-school practice.
Knowles, 14, said he doesn’t mind the work. “It’s fun and it keeps me active and stuff,” he said.
Knowles began playing water polo in June, after some encouragement from a friend, and already has shown natural potential. He recalled one of his best games, which happened last summer against Arroyo Grande.
“I scored like four or something goals. It was like half of the goals in the game,” he said, grinning wide. “I was like really energetic and barely got tired the whole game. It was really cool because usually I get tired like within the quarter, and my coach has to take me out, but that game I was going really good.”
With all his practice and game play, Knowles still makes sure to keep his grades up. He carries a grade point average that hovers just below a 4.0, but he said it isn’t difficult. “I don’t usually study because I have a good memory, but sometimes I stay up really late and do my homework. And a lot of my homework I finish in class,” he said.
Knowles is strong in the pool, but time in the ocean contributes to his swimming strength. Knowles said he goes to Pismo Beach most weekends to surf.
With all that busyness, Knowles tries to maintain a proper diet regimen, but mostly, he said, he tries to make sure he eats breakfast to get him through the early morning practices.
Knowles isn’t yet sure what he wants for his future. He said he’d like to continue playing water polo throughout high school, but isn’t sure about playing in college. He added that he’d like to go to college but hasn’t given much thought to what he might choose as a major.
For now, he’s just enjoying the game and the camaraderie.
This article appears in Oct 13-20, 2016.