Sticks Up! Swim Down! Score! by Shannon M. Ryan

Author:Shannon M. Ryan
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Highlights for Children, Inc.
Published: 2016-07-15T00:00:00+00:00

Spartan Liz Fromhold describes a move, called a curl, that she is particularly good at. “I can’t really swim through people,” Liz states, “so I curl to protect the puck with my body so the defenders can’t take it.”

Junior Zach Lambert adds flair to his curl by including a flip, which makes it even more challenging for the defense to stop his motion.

Teamwork is especially important in underwater hockey. Players have to “cycle,” or take turns coming up for air, so that there are always players down below engaged in play. “I love that we each depend on cycling and are constantly supporting each other,” says junior Michelle Casey. What keeps her motivated in this challenging game? “No matter how long your opposition can hold their breath, they have to come up sometime!”

A Unique Identity

Head coach Dr. Paul “Doc” Wittekind played underwater hockey as a student at Ohio State University. Wittekind and his assistant, David Dozer, coached the United States Junior National Team to a silver medal at the 2002 World Underwater Hockey Championships in Canada.

“I love teaching kids a brand-new sport,” Wittekind says. “It’s different, fun, and not mainstream. It gives these kids a unique identity.” As founder of the underwater hockey program in Cincinnati, Wittekind has created quite a legacy. Under his direction, the Roger Bacon Spartans won the U.S.A. Underwater Hockey National Championship in 2001, 2007, and 2010, competing against college and adult teams.

Perhaps the only drawback of the sport is one that affects the spectators. While some specially equipped pools have underwater cameras that project the game onto a screen above, most fans have to look intently into the pool and try to follow the movement of the puck.

Still, the game is gaining momentum as a club sport and more teams have been formed at colleges and academies. Who knows what the future may bring? This sport may swim into your area soon.

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