Athlete Spotlight: Kensleigh Swanston

Kensleigh is a grade 10 student at Linden Christian School. She can be seen at the pool almost every single day of the week and yet is an Honour Roll student with Distinction at her school.

This past season she played NCL 18U with the Mavericks Water Polo Club (out of Ontario) as well as NCL 16U with Vortex. She also trained as part of the MWPA Provincial Development Program. She has also played in the MWPA School League for St. Mary's Academy for three years.

Kensleigh is a rising star! She was selected as part of Water Polo Canada's Development Team Program.

In April she committed to the Oaks Christian Prep School in California to play on their water polo team. We wish you all the best in California and look forward to watching and cheering you on!

We recently had an opportunity to catch up with Kensleigh upon her return from USA Water Polo Junior Olympic Qualifiers in California. She will be heading back there in June and July to compete with her new California team.

When and how did you get into water polo?

When I was 7 years old I was looking for another sport to play in addition to curling with my family and playing ringette. Being tall, basketball was a possibility, but the schedule conflicted with my other two sports. A schoolmate, originally from Croatia, invited me to come try water polo. My first coaches, Coach James and Coach Julian, made it fun and I fell in love with the sport! Covid shutdowns interrupted water polo, however before I knew it, at 13 years old, I was playing NCL 17U for Coach Brenden Jamieson (aka Pizey).

What is the best advice in water polo you have ever received?

When in doubt, fight it out and never give up. The play is not over until the whistle blows so keep fighting for the ball. I think the majority of my goals happen by fighting it out in front of the net - those are some of my favourite because they are about making something happen... and never giving up.

What water polo skill was the hardest to learn?

Mastering the backhand. You need to get the position of your arm exactly right or the ball flies over the net or straight down into the water. I’ve gotten much better at my backhands but every once and a while I won’t get my arm to the right spot and it shows.

What motivates you?

Helping my team achieve victory. I can’t do everything and be everywhere at once to help my team, so the best thing I can do is to play as hard as I can. It’s always fun to share victories with others. 

If you could choose one superpower, what would it be?

The power of time: to go forward, backwards, and to stop time. I could fix past mistakes and be prepared for what comes next.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

I’m not quite sure what I want to do yet. So far I’m just keeping options open.

What other sports or hobbies do you enjoy?

I love reading. I have around 140 books in my room and have read most of them 2-3 times. I really like getting lost in a good story. 

My parents and I took Krav Maga. It’s a type of close-contact combat which funnily translates well to playing Center Hole Set where we’re constantly battling for position and the ball.

What is one thing you could not go a day without?

Music. It makes everything more enjoyable. I would rather be listening to a song when I have to do my chores than work in silence.

What is one thing that automatically makes your day better?

Getting to see my friends whether it’s at school or at the pool. Water polo has made it easy to see friends I might not have time to see as often otherwise.

Anything else you would like to share?

I’m thankful I found my way into water polo. It is shaping my life in ways I’d never imagined. I’ve had so many good experiences and have made many friends. I couldn’t imagine my life without it.