Another Fick Makes a Splash

The game is splash-ball rather than smash-ball but Newbury Park High sophomore Katy Fick is continuing a family legacy.

Katy, niece of former Cal State Northridge All-American baseball player Robert Fick, has scored 61 goals in leading the Panther girls’ water polo team to a record of 16-7, 8-3 in Marmonte League play.

Katy wears No. 9, the same number Robert wore at Northridge. As was the case during Robert’s games at Newbury Park High and Northridge, a vocal Fick family contingent is on hand, yelling, “Way to go, Niner!”

“One whole side of the pool is my cheering section,” Katy said. “My mom’s parents, my dad’s parents, my uncles, both of my brothers.”

Katy’s father, Chuck, is a scout for the St. Louis Cardinals, but water polo often drowns out baseball as the topic of discussion around the dinner table. Katy’s mother Kathy, a former junior swimmer and Newbury Park graduate, is a Panther assistant coach.

“I inherited aquatic genes from my mom,” Katy said. “I’m a dork on land. I can’t even run.

“I love being the first one in the pool at 6 a.m. practices. The pool is warmer than the air. You push off the wall and see your reflection in the water. It’s so much fun.”

Fick began as a competitive swimmer but quickly warmed up to water polo in high school.

“Swimming is boring,” she said. “Chase the wall, turn around and chase it again. Water polo is so much fun because it is a team sport. Our team is great, we are all best friends.”

Fick, who carries a 4.0 grade-point average, would like to continue playing in college. She is fully aware of the burgeoning scholarship opportunities for girls.

“I love Title IX,” she said. “Whoever thought of it, thank you.”