Northwood’s record-setting water polo player Michael Abshier commits to Cal Baptist

Michael Abshier of Northwood takes a shot this past season. (Photo courtesy Maki Abshier).

Northwood High School senior Michael Abshier recently committed to Division 1 Cal Baptist University to continue his water polo career, according to Timberwolves’ coach Kyle Kim-E.

Abshier set single season records for Northwood in goals, steals and ejections drawn, the coach said. His Northwood single season records were 194 goals, 143 steals and 138 exclusions drawn.

“He will also be the new holder for all of the career highs as well,” Kim-E said.

Abshier’s career records (NHS all-time records) were 469 goals, 364 steals and 251 exclusions drawn.

Abshier shared his comments with OC Sports Zone about his career so far and his decision to commit with Cal Baptist:

“I first started off as a club swimmer. My dad who played water polo at UCI signed me up to play at SoCal Club when I was 9. I played at SoCal until I was 15 and then switched to play at Patriot Water Polo club.

“Water polo has helped me develop important leadership skills, responsibility, and time management. As I got older the competitiveness in the sport grew making practice and managing my times inside and outside of the pool very important.

“At Northwood High School, I further developed my leadership skills when I became the captain of the team my sophomore year. This was a big and very important role for me because I was only a sophomore leading a varsity group and older players.

“Playing with inexperienced players and having to help teach them different skills did not only develop my communication but actually improved me as a player. I was able to perfect my skills and build better teammates.

“When choosing where to attend college I have always had a goal of becoming a pilot and playing Division 1 water polo. I found that CBU has the major that I wanted which is in Aviation so that I have the ability to become a pilot and at the same time play D1 water polo.”

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