Goalie • Kim
Hayes defends the net for the LBSU women’s
water polo team. The 49ers are ranked
No. 7 going into this weekends tournament
in San Diego. LBSU Sport Information
Hayes
goes deep for women’s water polo
team
By
Kim Oswell
Online Forty-Niner
Sports Editor
A team is only as strong as its goalie and Kim Hayes is solid in the net for
the 49er women’s water polo.
The 49ers are ranked No. 7 with an overall 3-1 record.
Hayes guards the goal and has 39 saves in the past four games. Recently transferred
from Long Beach City College, Hayes is a junior majoring in geography.
“
I like studying the environment,” Hayes said. “It’s fun looking
at different problems and solutions.”
Hayes grew up in Westminster with her parents and two older brothers and graduated
from Rosary High School, an all girls school in Fullerton.
After playing different sports her whole life, Hayes decided to focus on water
polo. During her freshman year of high school, her coach put her in the goal
because she wasn’t a strong swimmer, but Hayes continued to play the
position and practice hard.
“
I ended up being good,” Hayes said. “I had experience as a goalie
in soccer and played catcher in softball.”
After college, playing water polo in Australia is an option Hayes would like
to explore because the sport is more well-known there. Hayes may also study
climatology in graduate school.
“
I could see myself going to the University of Wisconsin because I have family
back there,” Hayes said.
Athletics are important to Hayes, who lettered in water polo, volleyball and
swimming while in high school.
“
Water polo is the most challenging and the most fun,” Hayes said. “It’s
the best sport I’ve ever played.”
During her minimal downtime, she enjoys spending time with her friends and
at”the off-campus house she shares with a few water polo teammates.
Hayes has always admired and been inspired by Green Bay Packers quarterback
Brett Favre.
“
He is just so tough,” Hayes said. “He has played with a broken
thumb. He overcame a lot when he was younger. In my opinion he is the best
player in the NFL.”
The water polo team, led by Head Coach Ken Lindgren, is off to a great season.
“
I like being with the team,” Hayes said. “They are supportive and
fun to be with. I like the challenge of water polo and the competition.”
The women will play at the UC San Diego Tournament this weekend.
“
I’m feeling really confident with our team,” Hayes said. “We
came together which is hard to do with a new team.”
The first home game of the season is March 18 against UC Irvine at the campus
pool.
|
