Freshman year is all about finding your place, and Tselayeon “Tsela” Lara has already found his in the pool. When he stepped onto the pool deck for the first time as a Poly boys varsity water polo player, he already knew the expectations set out for him, and according to Head Coach Mary “Missy” McCreary, he successfully met them.
“The very first game we played against Temple City solidified my thoughts in knowing that he was going to be really important to this team,” shared McCreary. “He’s stood out in all the games we’ve played, he just adds so much success to our team and without him we wouldn’t be as successful as we have been thus far.”
Since then, the team has played eight games with an overall record of 7-2. Even as an underclassman, Lara has started in every game, solidifying his importance and role on the team both inside and outside the pool. During a tournament on August 29, he scored the first goal of the game against Upland High School, setting the team up for the win (9-7).
Beyond his technical execution, one of Lara’s main strengths lies in his ability to read the game.
“He’s one of the smartest boys playing,” McCreary states. “His IQ is out of this world. He sees the game and reads the game better than [most].” She attributes this to his long time exposure to the game and the Poly water polo program.
With a keen eye for openings and passes, Lara is frequently referred to as the glue of the team. According to his older brother, senior captain and attacker Kalyxtomar “Kalyx” Lara, “[Tsela] gives perfect passes for assists from the other side of the pool.” This lethal combination of raw talent and quick thinking sets him apart from his peers.
Tsela Lara has been honing his water polo skills since he was 9 years old, and he hasn’t stopped since. He picked up the sport right after COVID-19 because he didn’t have any sports to play and because of his dad and brother’s history in the game.
However, Tsela Lara admitted that there are some challenges coming to high school water polo: “The practices are much more intense and the players are a lot bigger than me… I also feel like I have a spot to fill [because of my brother], like an expectation.”
Despite these challenges, Tsela Lara has remained persistent throughout games and practices. Sophomore varsity goalie Zymari Durham commented, “He’s successful because he works hard. He helps others become more determined. He’s really nice and caring. He always has your back.”
Kalyx Lara commented, “[He is] a considerate and caring teammate who works hard for his position in the team.” Whether it’s in the pool or on the deck, Tsela Lara never fails to embrace the spirit of camaraderie.
With many games to look forward to and CIF championships on his mind, Tsela Lara is excited for what this season will bring. Who knows what challenges and opportunities may arise for the freshman, but whatever they may be, we know that he will feel right at home in the pool.