By Ella Bohrer

To score a goal in water polo, players must go from a horizontal swimming position to a vertical shooting position in one fast motion. They also have to tread water the entire time while propelling themselves above the defenders with a strong kick to get a good shot on goal. 

While making even one of these goals would be very difficult, one senior at McDowell High School has made 243 of them in her high school water polo career. 

Senior Claire Gebhardt  achieved a remarkable feat in McDowell’s water polo history. Gebhardt achieved the record for most career goals. The old record was 206 goals held by Beatrice Vieira in 2020, which Gebhardt blew out of the water. 

In water polo there are goals at each end of the pool and the winner of the game is the team that scores the most goals by getting the ball in the net. Players are not allowed to touch the bottom of the pool and have to tread water the whole time. No offensive player is allowed to swim inside of the 2-meter line right in front of the goal unless they have possession of the ball. Making goals in water polo is challenging, but Gebhardt says otherwise.

“It’s kind of always just been easier for me,” says Gebhardt. 

Gebhardt has had a successful season this year, and she says that her most memorable moment was when she made the record-breaking goal. Gebhardt says she “didn’t want to celebrate too hard” since they were still in the middle of a game.

Gebhardt has been playing water polo since she was nine years old and is planning on continuing while attending Saint Francis University next year.

“I definitely will miss what she brings to the team; she brings very strong leadership,” says teammate Havana Austin. 

Austin is a senior at McDowell and has been playing water polo for four years, and has made 22 goals this season. Austin is very supportive of Gebhardt since they have been friends and teammates for years. Austin has also noticed many things about Gebhardt over the years. 

“I think her shot mechanics have gotten a lot better,” says Austin. “She’s kind of that person when we need a goal, we can count on her. She’s not afraid to take shots.” 

The girls water polo team ended their season 9-8 (8-6 in the conference). In their first game of the season, they had a strong victory of 17-9 against Cathedral Prep. Gebhardt led the scoring with 8 goals. The other scorers were Ellen Mucha with 3, Grace Tirak with 3, Claire Fuller with 2, and Clara Gibson with 1. 

Scoring in this high energy game is always a team effort. 

“My teammates have been hitting me with assists all season. They’ve always been so motivating,” Gebhardt says. 

A win for one player is a win for the team.

“I was happy for her, of course. I know it was one of her goals to beat the record, so I was just happy that she achieved it,” says Austin. 

In order to achieve big things, players have to work in the off-season. Gebhardt is also involved in the swim team at McDowell to make her better at water polo.

“When I put in more dedication and time, I got better at everything,” Gebhardt says.

Her achievement has not only helped her career, but has also contributed to the team’s success. 

Gebhardt is on two water polo club teams year round.

When Gebhardt worked hard all four years, she says it made a very “memorable moment” for her. 

She is seen as a role model for current and future McDowell water polo players. Gebhardt leaves a mark at McDowell’s pool with her record as well as her positivity and dedication.