Local youth train with Olympian

Costa Mesa Aquatics Club (CMAC) hosted a one-day clinic that gave local youth a chance to train with Olympian Genai Kerr and Masters Polo player Jesse Hatch.

Genai Kerr was the 2004 USA Olympic goalie and a community advocate. He also sits on the Board of Directors for CMAC. The young polo players got to experience drills and plays with Kerr and learned advanced blocking, plays and goalie maneuvers. As well as teaching plays, Kerr also spoke to the kids about focusing on getting good grades and achieving goals when being dedicated and working hard.

Giving back not only to the water polo community but to local youth is a passion for Kerr, who runs the 5-meter Water Polo Clinic nationwide. The players said the best part of the day was when they each got to try to make a shot while Kerr defended the goal. He gave them a choice — hands or no hands and the fun began. Kerr would block with his head, chest, feet making the kids laugh but also putting them in awe of his skills. Only four out of 35 shots went in.

Cody and Dustin Serrano, CMAC co-directors and coaches, love that they are able to bring Olympians to work with the kids.

“It not only gives them another person teaching them skills, but gives them a chance to interact with athletes that have achieved what their dreams are.”

— Reader submission