By Andrea Lanthier
Maureen and Susie Armstrong are a powerful combination in the water—they are an intense influence behind Immaculata High School’s best ever women’s water polo team.
The sisters helped the women’s varsity team complete the regular season undefeated, placing themselves first over eight other teams in the high school league. This feat almost guarantees the team’s success in April’s city championships.
“This kind of talent is hard to come by,” says coach Peter Murray, who has been Immaculata’s water polo coach for 22 years. “I’ve had some really good teams, but not as talented as these guys.”
The Armstrongs are two members of the team’s driving force. Like three of their fellow teammates, they play for Ottawa’s competitive water polo team, the Titans. Maureen, 18, played for the Canadian junior team last year.
Along with her success with the women’s team, Maureen helps coach the school’s boys’ team. The boys are not as successful as Maureen’s own team—they were winless in their regular season.
Just as Maureen inherited the coaching job from her older sister Gloria, Susie, 16, will continue the tradition and coach the team next year.
While this is on the mind of the younger Armstrong, Susie says right now she’s focusing on her own team.
“We’re doing really well so far,” says Susie. “It’s good that we have new people coming in and it’s also good that they’re getting into it and really participating. Everyone is scoring goals, it’s not just the (Titans) club team.”
Although the team has a few dominant players, like the Armstrongs, Murray says everyone participates. He says the experienced players enjoy sharing the spotlight and the pool with those just starting out.
“They understand that I’m trying to get everyone involved in the play and they are very co-operative,” says Murray. “I could literally just play those (key players) the whole time and outscore the opposition by a vast number.”
Water polo rules are similar to those of soccer and handball. Endurance is key as players swim dozens of laps while trying to stay afloat and control a volleyball-sized ball. With half of the action occurring underwater and far from the referee’s eyes, Murray says the game can be “pretty dirty.”
“I love the sport. It’s completely new,” says Maureen as she tends to an ice pack on her right shoulder. “When people are born, they learn how to walk and then the natural progression is running. Swimming is different. When you’re in a game, you’re in a totally different medium. You have to learn how to work with the water and work with the other people in the water.”
As Maureen and Susie sit by the pool, tending to their injuries and wringing the water from their hair, a man interrupts to shake their hands.
“I just wanted to come over and shake the hands of the Armstrong girls,” he says to the sisters. “It’s always a pleasure to watch you play.”