By: Logan Shea
SEATTLE--10/31/2023
Miles Prado, a high school senior, defines the 'P' in water polo as passion. Despite his school lacking a water polo team, Prado remains fervently motivated year-round, excelling at the club level in the sport. One of his most notable accomplishments was clinching victory at the Junior Olympics, allowing him to compete on a national stage.
However, Prado's journey to this point has not been without its challenges, as he faced intense competition, often sacrificing his high school experiences to pursue his dream of reaching the national and possibly collegiate level.
"One major sacrifice I’ve had to make was not being able to attend a lot of social events with friends due to practices and traveling with my team," Prado candidly shares.
Through these sacrifices, Prado has matured, evolving into a disciplined leader. He has forged strong bonds with his teammates, fostering an unbreakable "I have your back, you have my back" connection.
"Some leadership I have exhibited is holding everyone accountable and helping teammates up from personal life problems. Being on that close-knit team means everyone has to step up and lead at some point," Prado explains, emphasizing the importance of his role as a team leader.
Balancing the demands of water polo and academic responsibilities can be daunting. Prado, however, excels in time management, seeking help from teachers before or after school, and utilizing his Irish block to complete his schoolwork. Despite his hectic schedule, he still manages to enjoy his free time, engaging in video games and hanging out with his friends from O'Dea.
Prado attributes much of his success and personal growth to his coach, John Jacobson, who currently coaches CLU water polo. Prado reflects on the mentorship he has received: "I think the largest mentor in my life was my coach John Jacobson who now coaches CLU water polo. I had moments that I hated what he had us doing and not giving us any time for ourselves, but he made us machines and ultimately the most successful team in the nation, as well as making me the player I am today."
With such a significant impact on his life, Prado envisions continuing his water polo journey in college, be it at the collegiate or club level. He can even see himself coaching in the future. Prado believes that his commitment to playing a sport in high school will pave the way for him to achieve his future goals and aspirations.
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