When junior Chloe LaGrone shifted her focus from club swimming to water polo several years ago, she did more than find her sport. She also put herself on the path to medal in the USA Water Polo Junior Olympics.  

LaGrone’s journey began as a club swimmer in the Elite Swim Program in Dallas. 

At the age of nine, LaGrone moved with her family to Redondo Beach, Calif. She checked out several swim clubs, but felt as if swimming was getting boring, LaGrone recalled.  

“Sports change a lot at that age,” said LaGrone. “I still liked the water, but I wanted something different.”  

After attending a water polo scrimmage, LaGrone became involved with Trojan Water Polo Club in Manhattan Beach. After a while, she became a goalie. 

“I liked playing defensively more, but I still liked the aggression side of it,” said LaGrone. “When I started doing conditioning for my legs, that kind of propelled me to be more of a goalie.” 

Making Changes 

LaGrone continued to train as a goalie, even when she moved back to Dallas and returned to Greenhill at the age of 11.   

Upon her return, LaGrone joined Pegasus Aquatics and became a part of the Olympic Development Program. She connected with some players from Texas Thunder Water Polo Club, and after three years at Pegasus, LaGrone moved to Thunder.  

“Part of [the move] was because the team was so nice and so welcoming, and another part of it was the coaches,” said LaGrone. 

 After her move to Thunder, LaGrone trained in Italy with her new team, giving her a chance to connect with her teammates and coaches more.  

 At Thunder, LaGrone met Courtney Smith, a junior at Marcus High School. The two have trained together for almost two years now.  

Smith says LaGrone has grown tremendously as a player since they first met.   

“She’s worked so hard and it’s so impressive to see how far she’s come in as little time as she has,” said Smith.  

Smith also adds that LaGrone is always determined to do better and helps her teammates grow. 

“She is the nicest and most competitive person I have ever met,” said Smith. “Always striving for the team to do good, and no matter what, she’s always there for everyone.” 

Smith and LaGrone had the opportunity to compete together this past summer at the USA Water Polo National Junior Olympics.  

 “Chloe put in the work and she played so good,” said Smith. “I don’t think we would have done as well as we did if we did not have her on the team.” 

Junior Olympics  

The national Junior Olympics competition is divided into two groups, Platinum and Gold, with Platinum being the higher skill level. The top three teams from each state qualified to play in the national tournament in California.  

To be considered for the national competition, LaGrone and her team played in Junior Olympic Qualifiers. They did well enough to earn the 20th seed in the Platinum group.  

 On the opening day  of the national tournament, LaGrone’s team suffered a loss and was knocked down to the Gold bracket.  

 Despite the loss, LaGrone saw this as a learning opportunity. 

 “Honestly, it was a really good experience because since water polo in Texas is still growing a lot, there isn’t that many people we can play against that will give us good competition,” said LaGrone. “Because of that, we go into some tournaments and forget we need to fight.” 

LaGrone says she was nervous as the tournament progressed, having realized that college coaches were in the stands.  

“On the initial day I was really doubting myself and my skills,” said LaGrone. “But I think I was able to push that away yet still keep in mind there are people watching.” 

Having pushed all the nerves out, LaGrone and her teammates were able to fight back after their initial loss. They went on to win bronze in the Gold bracket.  

“We came back, which was really fun and awesome,” said LaGrone. “Being able to still make the best out of a situation flicked a switch somewhere that hopefully I’ll carry out through my junior and senior year.” 

Smith says she values her experience with LaGrone at the national Junior Olympics. 

“It’s really nice to always hear [encouragement] from either end of the pool,” said Smith. “I know that [Chloe] always gives a good support system in the pool, talking to us, keeping us upbeat and pushing us.” 

Outside The Goal 

Outside of playing water polo, varsity swim Head Coach Patti Monzingo describes Chloe’s energy as present in the school swim team as well.  

“She is everything wrapped up in a little package,” said Monzingo. “She’s a great swimmer to have and she’s a great teammate to have.” 

LaGrone’s positive effect on the team is much appreciated, according to Monzingo.  

 “Chloe brought in that happiness and cheering,” said Monzingo. “I’m always so thankful when I have the unofficial spot of positivity being filled.” 

 LaGrone has balanced her student-athlete lifestyle for many years now. Her Upper School advisor Cristina Gonzalez has taken notice of her hard work and growth as a student. 

“I’ve seen more of a depth of character with her, more of taking responsibility for all the things that she has going on,” said Gonzalez.   

LaGrone acknowledges the struggle of balancing her athletic and academic demands. To help her stay on top of her school work, she frequents a cozy spot at a local Starbucks.  

“I’m very excited to go to Starbucks,” said LaGrone. “Because honestly, it’s an area where I feel comfortable to study.”  

College Dreams 

 As her school coach, Monzingo continues to support LaGrone as both a swimmer and water polo player. 

 “I want to make sure she stays healthy and check in on her,” said Monzingo. “I’m just excited to see what she can do with water polo.” 

 Similarly, Gonzalez says she wants to see LaGrone continue to excel in her academic work and her rigorous sport.  

 “I want to see her continuing to do the stuff that makes her happy,” said Gonzalez. “I see Chloe finding where she belongs and giving it 110 percent.” 

After her time at Greenhill, LaGrone says she hopes to continue her water polo career in college. But she wants to focus on her studies more than the sport.  

“It honestly just depends on whether you want to be a student-athlete or an athlete-student,” said LaGrone.  

 LaGrone says she wants to make sure water polo is available at the college she eventually attends,  even if it’s not as a varsity athlete.  

“If I do end up going to a bigger school, it would need to be a school where I could play club water polo,” said LaGrone. “I love the sport so much and I am not ready to give it up whatsoever.” 

This article appears in the Sept. 30, 2024 issue of the Evergreen Print.