Los Altos water polo standout Smith works his way on to jr. national team

By Pete Borello, Town Crier Staff Writer

Town Crier file photo Los Altos High’s Tyler Smith has been selected to play for the U.S. Junior National Water Polo Team, which travels to Italy next month to compete in an international tournament.

This summer hasn’t been much of a vacation for Tyler Smith. The Los Altos teen is spending plenty of time in the pool, but he’s not floating on an air mattress at a Hawaiian resort or doing cannonballs in his buddy’s backyard.

The pool is like Smith’s office, and he goes to work almost every day in an effort to become a better water polo player. In the mornings, he can be found training with his Los Altos High teammates. In the evenings, he’s working out with the Stanford University men’s team. In between, he lifts weights.

“It takes up a lot of time, but it’s an opportunity I don’t want to pass up,” he said. “It’s my dream.”

The dream isn’t the chance to train until he’s sore and exhausted - it’s what that may lead to. Smith aspires to play on the U.S. Olympic Men’s Water Polo Team. He is essentially a step away, having landed a spot on the U.S. Junior National Team this summer. Making the squad - comprising 13 players age 20 and under - can be a springboard toward the Olympics.

“A couple from every under-20 team makes the Olympic team,” the 17-year-old Smith said. “… I’m getting closer.”

If Smith doesn’t reach his goal, it probably won’t be because he was outworked.

“He plays at a different level than everybody else, and he trains at a different level than everybody else,” Los Altos coach Jon Wiener said of his 2-meter star. “He trains his butt off.”

If Smith’s performance isn’t enough to convince you of that, just take a look at his summer schedule. On weekdays, he’s in the Los Altos High pool from 8 to 10 a.m., then lifts weights for an hour and practices from 6 to 9 p.m. at Stanford. On weekends, he’s playing in club tournaments with Stanford or Los Altos.

But put away the violins: Smith isn’t complaining about his lack of free time. Smith has such a passion for the sport that one gets the impression that even when he’s not playing or practicing water polo, it’s never far from his mind.

“It doesn’t get old; I like playing with new guys and learning new things,” he said. “I can’t see the game getting old until I learn everything I can about the sport.”

Wiener said it’s not only Smith’s size (nearly 6-foot-6) and athleticism (he was a promising basketball player prior to a leg injury) that makes him so good, but also his mind.

“Tyler picks up things quicker than anyone I’ve ever coached,” Wiener said. “He deserves credit for the work he’s put in - he’s really big and fast, but he spends a lot of time learning the game.”

Smith was hoping to expand his knowledge last weekend at the USA Water Polo National Aquatic Center in Los Alamitos, where he was to train with the junior national team. Smith had to endure three levels of tryouts to land a spot on the squad. He is one of the youngest members of a team comprised mostly of college-age players.

“I was confident that if tried out well and played my best, I could make it,” said Smith, selected by coach Doug Peabody after a rigorous audition in Los Alamitos over Memorial Day weekend.

Part of the reward is traveling around the world to play against junior national teams from other countries. Smith and his teammates head to Italy in late August for an international tournament, then go to Argentina in October for the Junior Worlds.

“There’s definitely a sense of pride and honor being on the elite team (below) the Olympic team, and being able to make such a team after such hard work,” said Smith, entering his senior year. “To get to compete against kids 20 and under from the around the world is pretty amazing. Some players on the other teams are on their Olympic teams.”

Playing in these high-profile tournaments means even more exposure for Smith, already being courted by scores of colleges. Smith said he isn’t ready to make any decisions yet. His focus this summer is getting better as a player and teammate.

“Conditioning and being a leader for the Los Altos High team,” he said when asked what areas he wants to improve on the most. “I’m just trying to learn how to have the most positive affect on my team - what I can do to help my team win.”

Considered the best field player in the Central Coast Section last year, Smith’s primary goal for the 2005 season is getting Los Altos a CCS championship.

“We’ll be competitive, and schools should have a tough time against us,” he said. “We have solid returning players.”

Although Smith will miss parts of the high school season due to his junior national team commitments, he’ll be around for the league and section playoffs.