Congratulations, July Baller of the Month, Just Jen!

Name: Jen Donathan (aka Just Jen)

Hometown: Strongsville, OH

Family members?: I have my mom, dad, and brother Jimmy. I’m also married to my husband, Ryan, and have two little fur babies, Carly and Piper.

Where do you live now?: Strongsville – I couldn’t escape, despite my best efforts (it’s pretty great though). 

What is your occupation?: I own my own Project Management and Quality Improvement consulting business, primarily working in emergency medicine and academia!

What is one random fact about you or your job most people don’t know?: In another life, I went to school to be a dolphin trainer and study dolphin cognition. Animal behavior was wayyyy more interesting than people behavior at the time. Funny how things change, but I can still tell you a lot about dolphins.

Years/months playing polo?: Since December 2022, so about a year and a half or so.

Years w/CWPC?: See above.

Favorite CWPC memory: I think it’s a toss-up between Cinnamon Lake in 2023 and this year’s Lake Erie Classic.

Favorite post polo snack & beverage: a Donut Scene donut and a lot of water!

Favorite position to play: Goalie!

What did you think of your first polo tourney?: My first tourney was last year in Indiana. I felt like a total newb but it was so fun, the rush was incredible! And I loved that my teammates were always willing to help coach me throughout. Everyone has been so nice and helpful. We also got to stop at Uranus! Best fudge in the state. 

How many polo suits do you own?: 3 polo suits, and a plethora of other race suits.

What is your favorite part about water polo in general?: Definitely the community and always getting an awesome workout!

Fun fact about yourself: I love weightlifting and kettlebells and am also a theme park junkie. You can’t shut me up about Cedar Point, Disney World, or Universal Studios. #obsessed

How did you get involved with CWPC?: I got back into swimming and was like, this is great, but I need something more...what about water polo? So, I Googled “Cleveland water polo clubs” and the rest was history!

Why do you stick around?: This sport is amazing, and the people are just wonderful. I’ve never felt so welcomed in a sport. 

Favorite quote (just in general): “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” ~ Arthur Ashe ~

Describe your ideal practice: Summertime, Foster Pool, perfect weather. Can’t beat it!

Favorite piece of water polo advice anyone has ever given you?: Keep your hands up, so you don’t get nailed in the face. 

 

Anything you want to share with the team? 

Fasten your swim caps....Baby Donathan will be joining us January 2025! Don’t tell Ryan, but I’m already plotting their water polo and/or swimming career. Baby Baller loading...

Congrats to the Donathan family! We can't wait to meet our new teammate!! Glad your "shoulder injury" is healing well.. lol

What Jen's teammates have to say about her ... 

"Jen is such a genuine person. She works hard, continues to learn and challenge herself and above all cares about her teammates!" 

"Best official female CWPC goalie!"

"WE LOVE YOU, JEN!"

"Jen just always brings a good attitude to the team. Happy, spunky, warm-hearted ..the kind of person you want to have on your squad and also get a drink with post-game."

"She's good people." 

"It took her a few months of playing, but she rightly realized that goalie is the most fun/important/cool position in water polo." 

"I'll never forget when she told me she wanted to focus on goalie only ... its the only time I was disappointed in Jen because I wanted her to stay in the field - she's got a killer shot!

"Jen's enthusiasm and positive attitude is contagious! I'm so glad she joined our team!"

Register for Detroit, Quarry is On, July Practice Schedule

*Cinnamon Lake Friendly Registration Ends Today*

Get your act together and sign up 

Signups Are Open for Detroit Tourney!

Sign up on the tournaments page.  Roster limit 15 players, first come first serve.  July 27th-28th in Birmingham, MI.

Quarry Save the Date

The Quarry Scramble is August 9th-11th.  Mark your calendar and follow the official Quarry channels for updates on when registration goes live.

July Practice Schedule

[Updated] Cinnamon Lake Friendly, Motor City Tournament, June Practice Schedule

Sign Up for Cinnamon Lake Friendly!

CLF is being held on June 29th (and 30th!), make sure you visit the Cinnamon Lake Friendly page for full details and registration.  

Save the Date for Motor City Madness

Our friends at Motor City Polo are hosting their first tournament on July 27-28 in Birmingham, MI (Detroit-ish, real easy drive).  Take the poll to indicate your interest/availability!  

June Practice Schedule -- OUTDOOR POLO IS BACK!

Congratulations, May Baller of the Month Mac Hancock!!

 

Name: Mac Hancock
Hometown: Brunswick, OH
Family members: 4 brother and 1 sister
Did any of them play polo: Nope. We all have swam competitively to one degree or another but I’m hoping to eventually get my older brother to come play.

How long have you been a swimmer: I swam competitively for 15 years, starting back when I was 6. 
Do your family members swim: everyone swims except my sister. My younger brothers swim for SwimUnited and Grove City College.

Where do you live now: I’m still living at home, but hopefully not for much longer (I hear there’s a realtor on the team?)

What is your occupation: I work with my dad servicing wide format printers and provide network management.

What is one random fact about you or your job most people don’t know: The first time I was on a plane, I was flying it.

Years/months playing polo: 6 months
Years w/CWPC: 6 months
Favorite CWPC memory so far: The Lake Erie Classic!

Favorite post polo snack & beverage: In college I’d kill for an all you can eat Chinese buffet right after practice.

Favorite position to play: Love those sprints!

What did you think of your first polo tourney: It was great to play with some new people with different styles. I was definitely able to see where they were kicking my butt and where I need to improve.

How many polo suits do you own: 0 because I was not in the group me when the order link was sent out  [Editor's Note: You can still order CWPC suits here, you'll just have to pay your own shipping!]

What is your favorite part about water polo in general: It’s a completely different style of swimming than I’m used to. I had great underwaters in college but they’re useless in water polo! In some ways I feel I am in a very similar shape to when I swam in college.

Fun fact about yourself: I’m missing almost half my teeth!

How did you get involved with CWPC: I didn’t want to swim by myself, but wanted to stay in the water. In college, I ran the score table for our women’s team so was familiar with the sport. I decided to give it a shot.

Why do you stick around: I love the later practices and the help I get from everyone during play time.

Favorite quote: “If you want to know what God thinks of money, just look at the people he gave it to”

Describe your ideal practice: Any practice with more than one sub!

Favorite piece of water polo advice anyone has ever given you: Jacob Sobczak told me one of my first weeks that if I wanted to get comfortable with the ball, just start f*uckin around with it and tossing it to yourself any chance you get.

Anything you'd like to share with us?: Just wanted to say a big thank you for all the tips, especially after the tournament! Appreciative of the patience after I drop half my passes during practice!

Proof of Mac's first water polo goal in a tourney!

What Mac's teammates have to say about him ... 

"I am so proud and excited for how quickly Mac has picked up water polo - it's really fun to see!"

"He definitely pays his dues on time..." 

"He is picking up the subtleties of the game very fast -- not as fast as he can swim, but pretty fast." 

"Whenever I see him ... I think of that song 'Return of the Mack' ... once again..."

"Takes great pictures!" 

"Mac is one of the very few players who can beat Bob in a sprint and has picked up the game quite quickly! Great to have him around he always has a positive attitude! 

Thanks, Mac, for being a great part of our team!! 

[Updated] LEC Recap, May Practices, Tournaments

Lake Erie Classic a Wild Success

A brief, belated recap of the home tournament: it all came together beautifully thanks to everyone's help planning, setting up, working the table, partying, and cleaning up.  We received lots of positive feedback from the other teams and can't wait to do it all over again next year!

Upcoming Tournaments

• Take the Poll for Nova/Outlaws

• Nova (Washington DC) June 1st-2nd
• Outlaws (Chicago) June 8th-9th

• Cinnamon Lake Friendly June 29th 

• Official info and signups will be posted soon via our website!

May Practices 

Updates to follow on transition to outdoors!