Although she is just a sophomore, Cora Newell is making a name for herself in the regional water polo scene.
Last week, the Turlock High standout took a trip to Salt Lake City, Utah to participate in the USA Water Polo Olympic Development Program National Championships, representing the Central Zone after making it out of an extensive qualifying camp last month.
“I definitely think the experience of being able to play on a team with such high level girls that I was able to get really close with, get some really good coaching, and just to watch some really good games while I was over there in Salt Lake City, was incredible,” said Newell, who is a left-handed center/set, as well as an outside shooter. “It was an amazing experience. And there’s lots of emotions when you find out you made the team…”
Olympic Development Program camps are the main feeder systems for the USA Water Polo age-group national teams each year, and consist of rigorous training that includes cardio exercises, learning and practicing stretching and breathing techniques, passing, etc.
Nearly 50 athletes per age group in the final rounds of qualifying for the invitation-only Northern California evaluations. The 15-year-old Newell fell into the “cadet” age group (those born in 2009 and 2010), and was one of 28 players to be selected to the Central California Zone team — a group consisting of athletes from a zone that extends from Sacramento to Bakersfield and includes the San Luis Obispo region. That group was then divided into A and B squads, and Newell impressed enough to earn a spot on the primary A roster.
“I thought that overall, the camps and evaluations went really well,” said Newell.
“There were some happy tears and lots of jumping up and down when we found out she made it,” said her mother, Christine. “We’re super proud of her.”
The coaches there also honored Newell with the prestigious Nick Johnson Inspiration Award, which recognizes athletes on a yearly basis who “fully embody the vision and values of the Olympic Development Program. The values of the program are based on the Olympic movement, defined as ‘Olympism,’ described as ‘a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will and mind.’ Blending sport with culture and education, Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy found in effort, the educational value of a good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles."
The Bulldog standout has had past experiences with the Olympic Development Program. She began playing the sport almost five years ago, and first learned of the pathway two years ago. Last year, she advanced to the regional evaluation, but fell short of making the zone team.
“When I learned of it and when it kind of came to light, I was like, ‘Oh, I can try out for that. I can also do that.’ So I did,” Newell explained. “I went to two of the three camps, for my first year going through the pipeline… I definitely think knowing what to expect made me feel a lot more confident in going to camps and playing my best.
“There was a new set of coaches this year, which was really fun because it's really nice to learn from different people at different times, and they honestly just push you to be your better self and player. But I learned a lot, and I feel like I did really well.”
Newell will apply her experiences to the club season in the summer and her junior year with the Bulldogs. As a freshman, she was an All-CCAL honorable mention, and made it onto the All-CCAL Second Team this past season as Turlock High secured a share of the league title with a 9-1 record.
“High school-wise, I definitely want to win league MVP one year and First Team All-CCAL,” she said. “And then I’m doing the ODP pipeline again next year, and making an older team is definitely some goals I have. And then college, (I’m) working on recruitment programs to be able to play Division I. That would be amazing.”
