As part of BYUSA-sponsored Care Week, BYU’s Water Polo Club competed in an intrasquad match between split teams to raise money for the United Way of Utah County.
The friendly games took place at the Richards Building pool on Tuesday, Nov. 19, with the men and the women’s teams competing against themselves.
All proceeds from the event were donated to United Way of Utah County, a charity dedicated to the education, health and financial stability of local families.
“I think we had a pretty good turnout of people coming to support the event,” said Alanna Holzer, a freshman on the women’s water polo team and an accounting student at BYU. “All the players paid the fee to get in, so we’re all donating towards the charity game, and all the spectators are (as well).”
KJ Calder, President of the Water Polo Club, said that Care Week is an important event to them.
“We value any opportunity to give back to the community,” he said, “and having fun while doing it is important.”
Holzer said they didn’t have enough players on the women’s team. “The boys generously donated four players, so we had enough. It was fun.”
Angela Werner, a BYU American studies major, like many of the attendees, came to the event without any prior knowledge of water polo.
“My friend Abel is playing,” Werner explained. “He’s always so passionate about it … it’s a lot more exciting than I expected.” She appreciated that it was a charity event as well.
Care Week focuses on allowing clubs to join with students to give back to the community. According to BYUSA’s website, Care Week “is the only week each semester where clubs and academic associations can raise money for charities of their choosing.”
“We appreciate all the support for our organization,” Calder said, “and for the money those who attended helped raise for United Way.”
The BYU Water Polo Club is open enrollment.
“Anybody who wants to come and play water polo is more than welcome,” Calder said. “It’s unique and it’s very high intensity, but the intensity is what brings out the fun.”
McKinley Maxfield, who grew up playing on the only high school water polo team in Idaho, said she loves how unified the sport is.
“You’re beating each other up in the water, but afterwards, you’re … hugging each other,” Maxfield said. “The community is awesome.”