Although Orange Lutheran junior Cash Trowbridge didn't begin playing water polo until after eighth grade, his years as a competitive swimmer helped him quickly adapt to the sport. Trowbridge has fully embraced the challenges that come with such a demanding game.

"I love that there's always something to improve on," says Trowbridge. "You're always going to have a goal, no matter how good you are. You're always going to have a small goal set for yourself…And then after that, you have another, something else to fix. There's always a goal to work to."

Trowbridge is a utility player for the Lancers, a role that requires versatility and allows him to contribute where he is needed most. As a transfer student to OLu this year, he has quickly established himself as a leader and a difference maker for the Lancers.

"Dedication, leadership and persistence are three words that come to mind when I think about Cash and his short time with us here at Orange Lutheran," says OLu boys water polo head coach Joe Molina. "Despite having a sit out period at the beginning of this season, his impact on the team was immediate. His hard work and intense commitment to his teammates changed the culture of practice, and it has shown through the success of him and his teammates."

Since Trowbridge started water polo later than most of his peers, he's had to overcome a skills gap while also learning to adjust to the dynamics of a team sport.

"I'd never played a team sport before (water polo), and I didn't know what being on a team was like," says Trowbridge. "It was all really different for me, and learning the team identity was hard for me to overcome…Every time I go against a harder opponent, I see not just how far I've come, but how much more I have to go."

Being part of a team, especially a high school program, has given Trowbridge the chance to experience something bigger than himself.

"In the high school realm, it's more about, how can I improve my team rather than how can I improve myself?" says Trowbridge. "And you get to know a lot of these guys really well. My teammates are my best friends here…So it's about being part of a bigger identity than a singular identity."

Outside of athletics and academics, Trowbridge is a musician who has experience playing guitar, drums and bass in a band. His goal is to play Division I water polo and possibly study business. And he considers his parents, former coaches and current coach Molina to be important role models who inspire and motivate him to be the best version of himself.

Water polo has taught Trowbridge a number of valuable life lessons that extend beyond the pool and apply to several areas of his life.

"One thing that I've really taken away from water polo is determination," says Trowbridge. "You've got to have a really strong mindset to be able to accomplish the things that most people can't. And that winning mindset too. It's about instilling that in your peers, not just yourself. Definitely teamwork as well. Teamwork is really important."