Cole Pollina carves out All-American legacy at TWHS

THE WOODLANDS, Texas - Cole Pollina was only 4-years-old when he discovered his first love.

“I was a soccer player,’’ said Polina, now a 17-year-old junior at The Woodlands High School. “That is all I wanted to do.’’

But, after his older brother introduced him to water pole, Pollina quickly started throwing the ball in the pool instead of kicking it on the soccer field.

“My brother was always bugging me to try it,’’ Cole said. “I did, and within a few weeks, that is all I wanted to do.’’

And his persistence has paid off.

Pollina recently became the first Woodlands High School athlete to be named to the water polo and swimming All-American teams.

He also was named to the academic all-state swim team, and helped lead the Highlanders to fourth-place finishes in the 200-medley and 400-freestyle relay, and a fifth place finish in the 200-freestyle relay at the Class 5A state meet.

For good measure, the Highlanders, led by the all-around play of Polina, have compiled a 25-3 record and advanced to this weekend’s regional tournament in water polo.

“Cole is a very intense kid,’’ said The Woodlands swim coach Kent Kirchner. “He is the type of kid if you tell him he can’t do something, he is going to go out and prove you wrong.’’

Besides the relays, Pollina also swims the 50- and 100-yard freestyle.

“My goal next year is qualify for state in an individual event,’’ said Pollina. “I would like to not only qualify, but go to state and do very well.’’

Pollina believes the Highlanders have the talent to make a run at a state water polo title.

“If not this year, then definitely next year,’’ he said. “We have a lot of great swimmers and great athletes on this team.’’

Pollina played soccer through the middle of his seventh-grade year before migrating to the swimming pool. He qualified for the regional swim meet as a sophomore.

“I told Cole after his sophomore year that there wasn’t any way he wasn’t go to qualify for state (as a junior),’’ Kirchner said. “He has such great work ethic and determination.’’

Pollina said he has been surprised by his recent success.

“This is really a big honor (to be the first Woodlands High School swimmer to be named All-American in swimming and water polo),’’ Pollina said. “But I owe it all to Coach K. He has made me what I am today.’’

Pollina, who was born in the northeast, said he is considering going to Boston College, Johns Hopkins or TUFTS, among other colleges. He said he plans to major in physics and go to medical school.

“Before I graduate from high school, I want to win state,’’ he said. “That is my goal. I think we have a chance to do that.’’

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