By Strength, size and agility are key elements that make a great water polo player. Size most definitely matters when it comes to the center position, where dominance and intimidation rule.
But thats not all that makes up a great collegiate water polo player. Outside of the water and beyond the game, an athlete should maintain an excellent academic reputation and well-rounded personality.
For sophomore center Jeff Greenwood, both intimidating in the pool and in size, 6-foot-8, he embodies what it takes to be an outstanding 49er athlete and student.
“[Jeff] is one of those guys who works his butt off,” said head coach Gavin Arroyo. “He applies himself in both the classroom and the water.”
Greenwood played a strong first freshman season in 2006, starting in all 28 games and finishing second on the team with 46 goals on 92 shots. He had a career-high five goals in wins over Pomona-Pitzer and Pepperdine in 2006. He reached the same career high-this year against Chapman.
Greenwood scored the game-winner vs. Pepperdine in what he described as the “perfect game,” with 4:25 left in a 12-11 victory here at home. Continuing his dominance for the 49ers in his sophomore year, Greenwood has played in all 15 games and leads the team with 34 goals.
“[My best game] is about coming out, not getting driven on, and putting goals away when they matter most,” Greenwood said. “[That I can be] a dominant offensive player.”
Born in Dallas, Greenwood grew up in Whittier. Greenwood said he practically lived in the water growing up.
“I started swimming at age two,” Greenwood said. “[I’ve] been playing waterpolo for seven years now.”
He graduated from La Serna High School in 2005, where he lettered all four years in water polo, swimming and basketball. As a senior, Greenwood led the water polo team to a 23-6 mark and to the CIF semi-finals. Greenwood was also named sixth team All-American, first team All-CIF and Del Rio League MVP.
He was first the league athlete to earn league MVP honors in water polo and basketball. Academically, Greenwood was also named to the honor roll and principal’s list all four years.
Greenwood may have been able to cruise through high school water polo, but he quickly realized playing at a the Divison I level was much different. When it comes to the sport now, things are a bit more challengng than they were in high school.
“[Long Beach State] is the exact opposite [of high school],” Greenwood said. “In high school it was about being the biggest kid in the water. Here it’s more about quickness and positioning, it’s about knowing the game.”
The 2006 49er Academic All-Star decided on LBSU because he felt it was a good opportunity to work with former head coach Ricardo Azevedo. Azevedo’s son, Tony, is the world’s top player and a current professional player in Italy.
Greenwood joked about how he wanted to “show him what he had,” compared to Azevedo’s son. It comes as no surprise that Greenwood’s teammates would see him as a “big goofball” outside the water.
As an active member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, Greenwood is committed to helping other LBSU student athletes. He holds the treasurer position on the executive board, participating in important decision-making and promoting school spirit, as well as community service.
Greenwood has learned to manage himself successfully despite such a demanding schedule.
“Water polo [comes] first,” Greenwood said. “Everything else is scheduled around it.”
This includes when and what he eats, finding time to study, and, of course, maintaining an active social life.
“I hang out out with the guys on the team. [We’re like] a little community,” Greenwood said. “We play pool and basketball, watch movies and hold barbecues. We are always together.”
Arroyo said he is seeing great efforts from Greenwood this season.
“[Jeff’s] position as center is one of the most important,” Arroyo said. “[He] wants to get better and [he knows] he has a long way to go.”
