Emelia Rasner is not only a current freshman on the varsity girls water polo team, but is a starter in the game line-up.
Her positions in most games are either sprinter or wing position which puts her in charge of racing to get the ball during the start of each game, as well as getting the ball in great position for scoring in the left or right wing of the pool.
Rasner began her journey in aquatic sports originally through swim lessons at age three, and then began swimming competitively by age five for the Visalia Swim Team, and later the TNT club swim team in Visalia.
Photo courtesy of Rasner family
She swam competitively with TNT from the ages of four to eight years old and later quit swimming in order to pursue water polo at age 10 with the SOVA club water polo program in Visalia.
After pursuing swimming for so long, Rasner remembers thinking, “I never thought that I would be quitting swimming and focus only on water polo.”
Rasner then took her swim competitions to the next level by age six after joining the TNT swim team up until the age of nine when she had become more interested in pursuing water polo.
Rasner says, “My sister, Sofia Rasner, ‘20 was playing water polo and it looked really fun.”
Through her journey in water polo, Rasner has played for several teams in order to better prepare for high school polo.
From SOVA at age 10-12 to playing with Redwood’s summer program “V-nited” during her summers to sixth grade every summer up until she reached freshman year.
Rasner also has been a part of other club teams such as the Exeter club during the summer of 2020 with older sister, Sophia Rasner to now playing with the Bulldogs Fresno club team from 2021 on going while also playing for the Redwood varsity team.
Though the 2021 fall season of water polo is Rasner’s first official Redwood season, she has played with Redwood’s summer program “V-nited” every summer since she was just 11 years old, her sixth grade year.
But why does Rasner find so much entertainment and love for the sport?
She says, “I like how fast it is and there’s a lot of things going on. A lot of people who have never watched water polo say that it’s really fun because it’s such a fast-paced sport and I definitely agree.”
When asked about his thoughts on having Rasner on the team as a freshman on varsity, Redwood girls varsity head coach Joey Gendron says, “Her work ethic- it’s definitely something that transcends age, so whether she’s a freshman or a senior, as long as she keeps working like she is, she is going to be a great player for our team.”
Outside of playing water polo for both club and for Redwood, Rasner enjoys spending her free time with her friends or at Pismo Beach with her family.
Photo courtesy of Rasner
What is her favorite style or technique when it comes to scoring?
Rasner says, “I really love outside shots because it’s nice to get those in on a six on five and it’s nice to get it through a shot blocker, or set shot because that’s a really hard shot to make since it’s a long process and you have to really finish through.”
When asked what her favorite moments are during any water polo game, Rasner says, “For me, it’s like when a new teammate that has never scored before makes their first one in.”
“She’s got a ton of room to grow which is exciting considering that she has already had such a successful year, I’m stoked to see what the next four years will bring.”
Mieke Howel, Assistant Coach Varsity Girls Water Polo
Rasner’s mother, Johanna Rasner says, “She’s [Emelia] very hard working and she’s very organized when she needs to be, she’ll organize what she eats, how she works out her schedule for homework and all that.”
She adds, “She’s super lively and fun, and she’s the life of the party, and she’s friends with everyone. That’s what I love about her the most.“
“I’m very proud of her, she has worked really hard… most importantly, she understands now how to understand different personalities and make friends with her teammates.”
Johanna Rasner (mom)
Currently, Rasner is on a college bound pathway towards pursuing water polo in college. Though she still cannot be reached out to by colleges because of her age and restrictions, she currently holds an account on a recruiting website through “Next College Student Athlete” (NCSA).
Through the NCSA online program, Rasner is allowed to keep her page profile up-to-date with videos of her scoring, assists, as well as her own regular shots during games.
The website allows Rasner to showcase her talents as well as provides insights on her profile and the ability to check which colleges and/or coaches have reached her page and viewed it.
In the process of building and showcasing her talents, Rasner has also started a water polo Instagram page where she is able to post on a daily basis any of her water polo tournaments, shots made during games, as well as other polo-related posts for both Redwood and her Bulldogs club team.
You can find the account at @emeliarasner_wp.
The varsity girls have made it to playoffs, first game is to be determined.
Jasmine Luna
Jasmine Luna ('22) is a 1st Year Journalism student at Redwood Highschool. She has past journalism/photography experience in the Redwood Yearbook class for 3 years. Jasmine enjoys spending her free-time working as an Intern for the Heal Non-profit here in Visalia as well as in working with Apipact Non-profit a tobacco prevention organization for youth and by youth. She is also currently in Varsity Girls Waterpolo, International Dance, and she currently is a co- president of a club at RHS called Students 4 Climate Action Visalia.
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