Out of the Water with Leah Robertson
4/24/2008 12:00:00 AM | Water Polo
Sophomore Leah Robertson heads into this weekend's Eastern Championship with 199 career steals -- three thefts from the program record. While she has made her name swiping the ball, already owning the two highest single-season totals, she has also become an offensive force. She is currently third on the team in scoring with 39 goals and has made appearances throughout the season on the national top 50 scorers list.
As the team gears up for the upcoming weekend, Leah sat down to talk about reuniting with an old teammate, art classes, and building the legacy of Michigan water polo.
On why she chose Michigan
I wanted to come to Michigan to build a legacy for Michigan water polo -- that we aren't just a team on the East and that we can be as good as the teams on the West. Michigan already has a great academic reputation; I wanted to be a part of boosting the water polo tradition.
On playing with former high school teammate Sarah Roberts
I like playing with Sarah because I already I know how to read her in the water and she knows how to read me, when I want to pass and those kind of things. It can be hard to rebuild that connection with players after high school, so I like having that already established relationship.
On her best memory inside water polo
Beating Indiana two times in a row for a Western Division championship.
On her best memory outside water polo
I worked the Special Olympics at Michigan last year, and it was so fun. I helped kids get ready for their races and cheered them on. It was really a fun event to be a part of.
On her start in water polo
I don't remember exactly when I started, probably around nine years old because I was on a 10-and-under team. My dad played in college and high school, and my babysitter at that time was one of the coaches and she told me to come play, so I signed up.
On the best place to play on the road
Anywhere sunny. I like Stanford. It has a really pretty pool.
On her funniest teammate
I think Casie (Kelly) is hysterical. She is really funny, but she won't ever be funny in front of other people. She will only do it with the team and sometimes in front of the coaches.
On the art of stealing
It's not really an art. It's more about being able to anticipate passes. (Terri Bukofzer on the issue: "She is sneaky and crafty. I don't know how she does it but it looks pretty.")
On what she would do if she were not a student-athlete
I would take more art classes. All of the art classes are offered at night and we can't take them. I do mostly painting, but I want to try everything. I want to take a ceramics class and a sculpting class, but I can't because they are during practice.
Contact: Ryan Sosin (734) 763-4423
