It’s Time for Autographs for All the Right Reasons

Not long ago, Clayton Snyder of Los Alamitos found himself being chased by teenage girls at airports, at Disneyland and at the swimming pool.

It had to do with his acting days, when he played the role of junior high heartthrob Ethan Craft on the Disney series, “Lizzie McGuire.”

Even as a water polo player, he couldn’t escape his television persona. Teammates nicknamed him, “Lizzie.” Opponents called him “Hollywood.” Screeching girls came to Los Alamitos’ games just to watch him play.

As a senior, Snyder has begun to earn respect for his water polo skills. At 6 feet 2 and 195 pounds, he has developed into one of the top two-meter players in Southern California. And he couldn’t be happier.

“It feels great,” he said. “I feel I’ve accomplished something a little more noteworthy.”

It’s going to be an exciting year for college recruiters because there are plenty of quality senior prospects, perhaps the best class since 2000, when Tony Azevedo was the nation’s most sought-after player at Long Beach Wilson.

Besides Snyder, other top college prospects include J.W. Krumpholz of Santa Ana Foothill, Matt Sagehorn and Anthony Artukovich of Long Beach Wilson, Brian Flacks of North Hollywood Harvard-Westlake, Clay Jorth of Newport Harbor and Kevin Kuga of Goleta Dos Pueblos.

Snyder started playing water polo when he was 8. His size and aggressiveness have made him an ideal player to take punishment and dish it out in the pool.

“It takes endurance, strength and mental toughness,” he said. “You’re using every muscle in your body all the time.”

As the center, Snyder is the focus of attention above and under water. His passing, decision-making and poise under pressure come into play.

“You have to be tough because you’re taking so many hits,” he said. “And you can’t lose your cool. You can be punched, elbowed, kneed and kicked -- whatever the referee can’t see.”

Coach Dave Carlson appreciates Snyder’s commitment to the sport.

“He unfairly got labeled as getting all this press [coverage] because he’s an actor,” Carlson said. “He’s one of the top players in Southern California.”

Snyder is glad the “Lizzie McGuire” series was canceled just as he was entering high school because it would have forced him to decide between acting and sports.

He missed much of his freshman season shooting “The Lizzie McGuire Movie” in Rome and Vancouver. The 2003 movie resulted in some surreal scenes of fan attention.

One time he was cornered at Disneyland, and the circle around him kept growing.

Another time, while traveling with his Los Alamitos teammates in New Zealand, he was recognized at the airport and surrounded by autograph seekers.

He has his own website, but the celebrity treatment helped him to mature while not changing his easygoing personality.

“I’m not one for the big Hollywood scene,” he said. “If I have a choice to go to a party or stay home, I’ll stay home.”

Snyder is an “A” student who wants to play college water polo. His acting career is on hold and might stay that way as he pursues excellence in an endeavor he loves.

“I don’t care too much what people think of me, but I’m glad I’ve gotten attention and being known for more than just ‘Lizzie McGuire,’ ” he said.