Nov. 12, 2014
SAN DIEGO - Starting with the first week of classes back in late August, we began to look at every varsity women's water polo team in school history, which spans 20 seasons. This week we look at the 2001 team. The Aztecs earned a berth to the National Collegiate Select Championship in Stockton, where they won the first three games of the tournament before falling in the final contest. SDSU finished with a 23-16 record and finished seventh in the nation under head coach Carin Crawford.
Where are they now?
Lisa Swain Wright earned varsity letters for San Diego State in 2000 and 2001. In her two seasons, the Aztecs won 41 games and finished sixth and seventh nationally in 2000 and 2001, respectively. In 2001, the former Lisa Swain was named to the MPSF all-academic team.
Questions for Lisa:
1. Where are you living and what have you been doing since graduating from SDSU?
"After graduating in 2001, I moved back up to Orange County in Seal Beach. I married my husband John, in April of 2002, and quickly started our family. We have three amazingly spirited children, who are all aging up here in the next three months. Makenna, my 10-year-old, is a fierce competitor in the pool. Unlike her momma, she is a talented swimmer. She had her breakout summer, winning the 100 free at JOs this summer. Jack, my 8-year-old is a lover of the water, baseball, and Luke Bryan. My youngest, Bobby (7), is our true lefty and loves team sports much more than the black line. Besides driving my kids to practice, I am a full-time fifth-grade teacher at Rossmoor Elementary School and have been blessed with working in the Los Alamitos Unified School District for nine years. I finished my master's this summer and looking at obtaining my administrative credential. With all of my free time...I coach swim conditioning for water polo kids at Socal and I'm always looking forward to the next holiday!"
2. What is your fondest memory of playing water polo at SDSU?,BR> "There are too many amazing memories to count. A priceless memory was watching at Bud Kerns Community Pool and we were all over on the side of the wall, ready to watch Carin draw a play on the chart paper. As she flips it to a free page, someone (I swear it wasn't me) drew the most inappropriate picture and it just killed the seriousness of the meeting. All of us, including Carin were speechless and then roars of laughter filled the pool. It takes a strong leader to make the most of a practice after seeing something like that!"
3. Your husband coaches water polo at the collegiate level and I believe your children play as well. When watching their games, what are the biggest differences you've seen in the game since you played?
"John's coaching career spans 30 years of all levels. He has coached water polo for high school, club, college, junior and national team level. He is currently is the head coach at Concordia University, which is making the transition from NAIA to NCAA. We love being a part of his team's journey each year and have found it to have a profound impact on my children and their approach to the game and tough situations. The best is watching my middle son, Jack, naturally assume the role of assistant coach/water boy. He will often be found wandering the deck during summer practice in his "Concordia Speedo," directing the players on what they aren't doing correctly. When in doubt, Jack hops in and will show them the proper way to attack a drill. When watching John's teams play, the game has changed tremendously. Back when I played water polo, if you had size alone or if you were just fast, it could be enough to beat many teams. What I am seeing now is you need to be strong, fast, and highly intelligent in the pool. The game is faster, the athletes are stronger, and the strategy has become like a game of chess. I love watching players analyze the potential play, make a decision and execute it for the goal. The one thing that hasn't changed is if you want to play...you better come into your season in shape and willing to train hard all the time!"
4. What was the best aspect of being a student-athlete at SDSU?
"What I got out of being a student-athlete at SDSU was the feeling of having a second family that was there to help me find my path, stay the course, and be there at the finish line when I crossed. Carin, my counselor (Todd), my professors, teammates, and teammates' parents, were critical to my success at SDSU. I never felt alone and I always felt that I had a pathway to reach my goal. The opportunity I had at SDSU shaped me into the woman I am today. I am proud of my work ethic, humor, teamwork, loyalty, and perseverance that I bring into my teaching, which are a direct result of what it took to be a part of SDSU's Women's Water Polo Team."
5. Do you still keep in touch with any of your teammates? If so, who? Will we be seeing you at the Alumni game this January?
"I don't see my girls because of how crazy life is right now, but I live vicariously through them on Facebook. I miss them daily. I plan on attending, suiting up, playing in one counter attack, hanging out in the jacuzzi, and catching up with friends at the alumni game."
Stay Connected with SDSU Water Polo
Make sure to stay updated with Aztec water polo by liking them on Facebook, and following them on Twitter and Instagram.
Former Aztecs can also stay connected with other former student-athletes through the Aztec Varsity Club. For more information on the newly formed athletics group, visit goaztecs.com/avc or contact Johanna Pfeiffer at (619) 594-6444 or aztecvarsityclub@mail.sdsu.edu.
A Look Back at 20 Years of SDSU Water Polo: 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000