Meet the Wolverine Freshmen
11/4/2014 12:00:00 AM | Water Polo
The Michigan water polo program welcomed eight freshmen this fall, and after several weeks of practice, conditioning and lifting, they are gearing up for their unofficial collegiate debut at this weekend's Collegiate Cup in Irvine, Calif. Learn more about the Wolverine newcomers, how they got to Michigan and what they bring in and out of the water..
 | Caroline Anderson Freshman Attacker Palo Alto, Calif. |
What attracted you to the University of Michigan?
"I was immediately drawn to Michigan's culture and how friendly everyone is. I wanted to play for an elite and competitive water polo team while attending a prestigious university. I love that Michigan is sports oriented and how there is a strong athletic community within such a big school. I had the desire to get out of California and experience something new, and Michigan seemed like the perfect opportunity."
How did you first get involved in water polo?
"My family encouraged me to start playing water polo in 5th grade. My three older sisters had been playing for a few years, so I followed in their footsteps. I joined Stanford Water Polo's micros club team were I was taught the fundamentals to water polo."
How has it been getting to know your Wolverine teammates?
"I love the team. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming here. I have learned so much from the girls both in and out of the pool. They give really good advice, and they can always make me laugh."
What do you like about Michigan/Ann Arbor from what you've seen so far?
"The food here is really good. I have tried so many different restaurants because there are so many different options. Fall is really pretty here, and I like that we actually get to experience seasons in Michigan."
What do you enjoy when you're not play water polo?
"When I'm not playing water polo I enjoy hanging out in the dorms and relaxing. I also look forward to Saturdays because its game day."
Favorite food ... Mashed Potatoes
Favorite singer/band ... Beyoncé
Favorite TV show ... The office
Favorite book ... The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
Favorite movie ... Shawshank Redemption
Favorite superhero ... Spiderman
Favorite song to sing at karaoke ... Halo
Favorite subject/class ... Biology
Favorite athlete ... Abby Wambach
Favorite place to visit ... Hawaii
Favorite sport besides water polo ... Soccer
 | Elissa Arnold Freshman Center La Crescenta, Calif. |
What attracted you to the University of Michigan?
"BIG10 athletics was huge for me. I wanted to enter an athletic community that had an already established name and legacy. I'm also a huge football fan, which really helped influence my decision. U-M is also an amazing academic school. I realize I can't make money playing water polo, and there is more to life than just the pool. Graduating from Michigan opens so many doors with the amazing networking and alumni associations."
How did you first get involved in water polo?
"I first got involved in water polo when my best friend in sixth and seventh grade played. Her dad approached me and said I should come, just for one practice. Safe to say I was extremely hesitant. After the first practice when my mom picked me up I looked at her with the biggest smile on my face and said, 'Now I know why I have these big feet.' I fell in love with the sport and never looked back."
How has it been getting to know your Wolverine teammates?
"My teammates have already begun to be my family. It has been amazing getting to know these girls that are a lot like me. Sure, just like any new thing, it started out slow, but then we all became one huge family, I haven't been here long and I will already take a bullet for any one of these girls. Don't mess with my Wolverine teammates."
What do you like about Michigan/Ann Arbor from what you've seen so far?
"The weather is going to take some getting used to, but fall is so pretty! The community here is awesome, so supportive and everyone here is so nice! Dorm food is also basically gourmet, I feel like I'm eating in a fancy restaurant sometimes, which is nice. I almost feel like I'm living the dream, or like I'm in a fantasy world every day."
What do you enjoy when you're not play water polo?
"With the free time I can muster up between practices and homework, I love to bake. I actually brought a ton of baking supplies with me from home. I really like food so exploring all the cool places in Ann Arbor is extremely fun as well, I just like to find an adventure wherever and whenever I can."
Favorite food ... Mac and cheese
Favorite singer/band ... Luke Bryan
Favorite TV show ... Seinfeld
Favorite book ... Kissed by an Angel - Elizabeth Chandler
Favorite movie ... Pride and Prejudice
Favorite superhero ... Captain America
Favorite song to sing at karaoke ... Bye, Bye, Bye -N' Sync
Favorite subject/class taken ... Anatomy/Physiology
Favorite athlete ... JJ Watt
Favorite place to visit ... Big Bear Lake, Calf.
Favorite sport besides water polo... Football
 | Sydney Groot Freshman Defender Tustin, Calif. |
What attracted you to the University of Michigan?
"The outstanding academics, the big athletic community, and the over-the-top school spirit."
How did you first get involved in water polo?
"I love swimming, being in the water and I'm very competitive so choosing water polo was the natural choice."
How has it been getting to know your Wolverine teammates?
"Amazing! We spend every day together so we've gotten to know each other really well. It's an awesome group of girls and I'm so proud to be a part of this team with them."
What do you like about Michigan/Ann Arbor from what you've seen so far?
"Coming from California, where it's sunny year round, I love the different seasons and seeing the leaves change colors."
What do you enjoy when you're not play water polo?
"I enjoy hanging out with my friends, sleeping and reading."
Favorite food ... Sushi, Mexican food and In 'N Out
Favorite singer/band ... Maroon 5, Coldplay, Timeflies
Favorite TV show ... Scandal, Friends, Castle, How to Get Away with Murder, Grey's Anatomy
Favorite book ... Divergent
Favorite movie ... The Proposal, Get Smart
Favorite superhero ... Captain America
Favorite song to sing at karaoke ... Anything Taylor Swift or Miley Cyrus
Favorite subject/class taken ... American Government
Favorite athlete ... Betsey Armstrong
Favorite place to visit ... the beach
Favorite sport besides water polo ... Football
 | Addi Halligan Freshman Attacker Palm Desert, Calif. |
What attracted you to the University of Michigan?
"Everything about the school is special. I wanted to go far away from home and I wanted a big school with great academics as well as great athletics."
How did you first get involved in water polo?
"I started playing in the eighth grade because I had played soccer for eight years and wanted to try something new. "
How has it been getting to know your Wolverine teammates?
"It's been amazing! They are all really nice and everyone works really hard every day to make sure we win for Michigan this year."
What do you like about Michigan/Ann Arbor from what you've seen so far?
"I love fall I'm from Palm Desert, and we didn't really experience seasons. I love the way everything looks here, it is always beautiful."
What do you enjoy when you're not play water polo?
"I enjoy watching Netflix and hanging out in the dorms with my friends."
Favorite food ... Pizza
Favorite singer/band ... Maroon 5
Favorite TV show ... Orange is the New Black
Favorite book ... Lords of Discipline
Favorite movie ... This is the end
Favorite superhero ... Batman
Favorite song to sing at karaoke ... Halo by Beyonce
Favorite subject/class taken ... Psychology
Favorite athlete ... Tom Brady
Favorite place to visit ... Manhattan Beach
Favorite sport besides water polo ... volleyball
 | Laura Jimenez Freshman Attacker Commerce, Calif. |
What attracted you to the University of Michigan?
"Distance attracted me because I really wanted to get out of California to experience something completely new. The prestige of the school also attracted me because Michigan is very well known through positive aspects, both academically and athletically."
How did you first get involved in water polo?
"My parents forced me to join because I was scared of the coach and never wanted to play. He turned out to be my biggest mentor."
How has it been getting to know your Wolverine teammates?
"Absolutely fabulous! Everyone is awesome and they really help make this place a home away from home. They are my family."
What do you like about Michigan/Ann Arbor from what you have seen so far?
"I enjoy feeling and seeing the pride everyone has in being a part of the University of Michigan."
What do you enjoy when you are not playing water polo?
"I enjoy eating a lot when I'm not playing water polo!"
Favorite food ... Tortellini Alfredo
Favorite singer/band ... Journey
Favorite TV show ... Criminal Minds
Favorite book ... The Five People You Meet in Heaven
Favorite Movie ... Forrest Gump
Favorite superhero... Superman
Favorite song to sing at karaoke ... Don't Stop Believin' -- Journey
Favorite subject/ class taken ... Math
Favorite Athlete ... Brenda Villa
Favorite place to visit ... Laguna Beach
Favorite sport besides water polo ... gymnastics
 | Katherine Moore Freshman Goalkeeper Atherton, Calif. |
What attracted you to the University of Michigan?
"I first fell in love Michigan for its crazy spirit. The Michigan athletic community and culture is incomparable. Everyone here is so passionate about the school and what it means to be a Wolverine. It has such great legacy and it's always fun when people yell go blue on the street, even when I'm back home across the country."
How did you first get involved in water polo?
"The first time I played water polo was the summer before my freshman year of high school. My sister had been playing for as long as I could remember and she begged me to try it out. I instantly loved it!"
How has it been getting to know your Wolverine teammates?
"Great! Getting to know the team has been so much fun. We have a great team dynamic here and always have such a good time together. The upperclassmen have been so welcoming and I can't wait for the next four years. We push each other in practice and support each other in and out of the pool."
What do you like about Michigan/Ann Arbor from what you've seen so far?
"So far I love everything about Michigan and Ann Arbor. There is always something to do here and I love trying all the different kinds of restaurants on campus. I am so excited to experience seasons for the first time. The trees are beautiful in the fall and I can't wait for it to snow!"
What do you enjoy when you're not play water polo?
"I love watching movies, going to sporting events, finding new restaurants, and hanging with friends. When I'm home in California I love to go to the beach and have bonfires."
Favorite food ... Pasta
Favorite singer/band ... Good Charlotte, Maroon 5, Drake
Favorite TV show ... Suits, Modern Family
Favorite book ... Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
Favorite movie ... The Parent Trap
Favorite superhero ... Wonder Woman
Favorite song to sing at karaoke ... anything Beyonce
Favorite subject/class taken ... Economics
Favorite athlete ... Roger Federer
Favorite place to visit ... Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
Favorite sport besides water polo... Football/Tennis
 | Christina O'Beck Freshman Center Newport Beach, Calif. |
What attracted you to the University of Michigan?
"I fell in love with the campus and really wanted to experience all four season which is something I didn't get to do in California."
How did you first get involved in water polo?
"I started playing water polo in 5th grade after swimming for several years and wanted to try something new especially since most of my friends played the sport."
How has it been getting to know your Wolverine teammates?
"They are all incredible! I love how open, fun, and loving they all are! I really feel a sense of family with them."
What do you like about Michigan/ Ann Arbor from what you have seen so far?
I"love how beautiful the scenery is and how diverse the campus is. It's such an enthusiastic and spirited community to be a part of."
What do you enjoy when you are not playing water polo?
"I enjoy sleeping, watching Netflix, and spending time with my friends."
Favorite food... steak
Favorite singer/band... Lana Del Rey
Favorite TV show... Gossip girl
Favorite book... Hunger Games
Favorite Movie... Divergent
Favorite superhero... Spiderman
Favorite subject/ class taken... U.S. History
Favorite Athlete... Misty May
Favorite place to visit... Kauai
Favorite sport besides water polo... ice skating
 | Paige Treloar-Ballard Freshman AT Ventura, Calif. |
What attracted you to the University of Michigan?
"I was attracted here because of the academic rigor, the competitive water polo, and the culture of undying pride for the block M. I also wanted to experience seasons."
How did you first get involved in water polo?
"I started playing water polo in 5th grade. My grandfather and uncle had both played in high school, and my mom wanted me to get involved. So one day I went to a practice and I've been playing ever since."
How has it been getting to know your Wolverine teammates?
"It's been great. Everyone is so kind and supportive, and I definitely look forward to becoming a family."
What do you like about Michigan/Ann Arbor from what you've seen so far?
"Ann Arbor is so cute! The atmosphere and its nature are my favorite things. Michigan is so different from southern California. Fall is new to me, and it's beautiful."
What do you enjoy when you're not play water polo?
"I enjoy sleeping, being with my friends, walking in nature and watching Netflix."
Favorite food ... Peanut butter
Favorite singer/band ... Bad Suns
Favorite TV show ... Happy Endings
Favorite book ... The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Favorite movie ... Seabiscuit
Favorite superhero ... Batman
Favorite song to sing at karaoke ... Down Under by Men at Work
Favorite subject/class taken ... Physiology
Favorite athlete ... None
Favorite place to visit ... Home! But there are many other places I want to visit.
Favorite sport besides water polo... swimming
