On Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, North Penn seniors Maddy Koerper, Caroline Gillespie and Maeve Wyden were recognized for signing letters of intent to continue their water polo careers at the collegiate level. To view photos of the event, please visit the Photo Gallery.
Caroline Gillespie – St. Francis University (Water Polo)
Major: Physical Therapy
Final list of colleges: St. Francis, Marist, Wagner
Reasons for choosing St. Francis: “I chose the school because I know two water polo players there, and I also just really liked their physical therapy program.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in water polo at the collegiate level? “I’ve always known I wanted to do either swimming or water polo in college because I’ve grown up doing them, and they’re fun activities for me to get my mind off of school.”
Coach Jeff Faikish: “Caroline is a swimmer and water polo player. She has suffered through some injuries on the swimming end of things, which has affected her shoulder, so her swimming has suffered a little bit. However, her legs and her discipline in water polo are second to none. We have Maeve Wyden and Maddy Koerper, who are two centers, so just like in other sports, they’re the person who you try and work your offense around. Caroline Gillespie is the defender who has helped those two raise their level of play up to the top two, top three water polo players in the state in the offensive end and some of the top recruits in the country in water polo. It’s not without that work ethic and that sort of challenge that happens every single day in our pool that our team rises to winning its fourth state championship in a row.”
About Caroline:
Favorite food: Potatoes
Favorite movie: Thor
Favorite music: Country
Maddy Koerper – La Salle University (Water Polo)
Major: Elementary Education
Final list of colleges: La Salle, Marist
Reasons for choosing La Salle: “I felt as though La Salle was the best fit for me because after my visit, I really liked the whole vibe of the school.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in water polo at the collegiate level? “My sophomore year was eye-opening that I really wanted to play in college.
Coach Jeff Faikish says (about Maeve and Maddy): “Maeve and Maddy are both very formidable offensive threats. They sit in the center and most teams try and work their entire offense around your center. If a defense is smart, they try and take out that center, but the problem is when you have a dual-headed snake, Maddy and Maeve, it’s a very difficult team. Maddy is probably the third best center in the state, and the only reason I say third best is because Maeve tied for the best water polo player in the state with another girl from Cumberland Valley (for Ms. Water Polo) and Maddy was probably third in the vote.”
About Maddy:
Favorite food: Crabs
Favorite movie: A Cnderella Story
Favorite music Pop
Maeve Wyden – Iona College (Water Polo)
Major: Elementary Education
Reasons for choosing Iona: “I was looking at a couple of other schools in New York and Pennsylvania, and I chose Iona because of the great water polo program they have and the great education program.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in water polo at the collegiate level? “I always knew I wanted to play water polo in college or play a sport in college because I love the atmosphere and the support that comes from being on an athletic team.”
Coach Jeff Faikish says (about Maeve and Maddy): “Maeve and Maddie are both very formidable offensive threats. They sit in the center and most teams try and work their entire offense around your center. If a defense is smart, they try and take out that center, but the problem is when you have a dual-headed snake, Maddie and Maeve, it’s a very difficult team. Maddie is probably the third best center in the state, and the only reason I say third best is because Maeve tied for the best water polo player in the state with another girl from Cumberland Valley and Maddie was probably third in the vote.”
About Maeve:
Favorite food: Sweet Potatoes
Favorite movie: Collateral Beauty
Favorite music: “I Lived” – One Republic
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