Picture this: Freshman Marcus Salama glides effortlessly through the water like a dolphin, every stroke bringing him closer to the goal. As he approaches, he cuts away from his defender and catches a pass from his teammate. With laser-focus, he reaches his arm back and swiftly strikes. As his teammates begin to celebrate, he realizes he’s just helped his team secure the CIF water polo championship.
This event never happened, but Salama can envision a scene just like it set in the near future. As the single starting freshman on Poly’s Varsity boys water polo team, he’s already made significant contributions, having scored five goals in just seven games while averaging three assists per match.
Salama’s interest in water polo began early in his childhood when he watched his father play the sport. He immediately found himself fascinated with water and was eager to jump in – literally and figuratively. At just seven years old, he tried water polo at the Rose Bowl and has never looked back, playing for their club team ever since.
Although Salama is new to Poly this year, he has adapted easily to the new environment, quickly bonding with his new teammates and earning their respect. Fellow freshman Ajani Durham said, “He reads the game well and is super fast in the water. He is definitely a great help to our team and a contributor to the success we find in games.”
One of the crucial factors that sets Salama apart is the fact that he’s left-handed. In water polo, left-handed players serve as a unique threat to goalkeepers, who are accustomed to defending against players shooting from the right side. Senior teammate August Tonthat said, “It’s really great that he’s left-handed, which makes him invaluable to our offense.” With his left hand, Salama delivers accurate and powerful shots into the back of the net, providing a significant challenge to opponents.
Additionally, Salama excels under pressure. No matter the situation or noise level, he is always focused. Head coach Sean Grab commented, “He has tremendous potential as a water polo player, and I see him becoming an elite athlete in the sport.”
This season, Salama is working on improving his ability to shoot from a low angle. Outside of the pool, he hopes to get used to his new school, which is significantly different from the public school he previously attended.
While Salama has already accomplished much in a short time as a new player at Poly, he brings something of even greater value to the program, something that can’t be measured in statistics alone: namely, a hope for the future. After losing seven seniors last year, Poly’s water polo program is excited to welcome and begin to developing new talent. With Salama’s special skill set, he is sure to have a positive impact for years to come. Before we know it, Salama will be shooting that winning shot in a CIF championship match.
