Out of the Water with Casie Kelly
4/30/2008 12:00:00 AM | Water Polo
Listen closely on deck at Canham Natatorium and odds are you will hear the echoes of laughter. The source of this laugh that water polo head coach Matt Anderson calls a "deep belly laugh" is usually sophomore Casie Kelly. The sophomore driver has developed a reputation for having the loudest laugh on the team -- even though she is often laughing at her own jokes.
Casie sat down with us to discuss the pressures of being considered the funniest player on the team, having laps interrupted by water polo balls, and throwing people into the pool.
On why she chose Michigan
It had water polo and it's an all-around great university. It is prestigious, has a great tradition, and it is just Michigan.
On her best memory in water polo
Winning Easterns this year. Not only getting Matt (Anderson), Katie (Card) and Theo (Ludwick) in the water, but our trainers, academic advisors, SID, everybody. That was a great moment.
On her best non-water polo Michigan memory
Going to Michigan Stadium. The first time going and getting to see the inside of the Big House was really great.
On how she got started in water polo
It was at high school during my freshman year. I was swimming to stay in shape between softball season and swimming season and the (water polo) balls kept coming into the swimming lanes. One finally hit me in the head, so I grabbed the ball and chucked it across the pool. The coach came running over and asked me to start playing water polo.
On the best place to play on the road
California. I like the Stanford pool because it is huge and beautiful and the sun is always shining.
On any pressure from being proclaimed "funniest teammate" by Leah Robertson
I was kind of surprised that Leah thought I was the funniest person because I pretty much just say what is on my mind. I usually laugh at what I say, so people start laughing at me because I'm laughing at myself -- I guess that makes me funny in some way.
On why she wears number 14
Fifteen was taken. I was 15 in every sport -- water polo in high school, softball growing up -- and Amy Cuckovich (2005-06) was 15, so I got 14. I don't know why I liked 15; they just handed it to me in a softball jersey and I just stuck with it.
Contact: Ryan Sosin (734) 763-4423
