Indiana University Athletics
The Trip to Becoming a Hoosier
12/2/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Water Polo
"I knew absolutely nothing about Indiana before hand," said Streefkerk. "My cousin found out that I was looking at IU and told me that that was where Bobby Knight was from. I had no clue who he was talking about."
Streefkerk's interest was prompted more by her brother Jason's departure to the United States, when he chose to swim at LaSalle in Philadelphia, Pa.
"After Jason went to college, I really liked the idea of going to the States to play water polo," Streefkerk remembers. "I looked at several schools and eventually narrowed my choice down to Indiana. When I came on my visit, the campus was beautiful and the Kelley Business School was also very appealing. Almost immediately I got the impression that IU wasn't just about athletics."
For the young Canadian, school is taken very seriously. In fact, Streefkerk began college as a business major but recently switched to informatics - the newest major offered at Indiana.
"I chose informatics because I was interested more in learning how to tie in other fields with computers," Streefkerk said. "In the business school, they teach you more how to apply computers to other fields. That is what is so nice about IU; there are so many options to choose from."
One thing that Nelson has learned she has no choice or say in is the Bloomington weather. While her teammate doesn't seem to mind, Nelson could do without the wintry snow.
"It's nice to have changing seasons in Bloomington, because we don't have that back home," Nelson said. "I had never seen snow before last year though. It's pretty and all, but snow means it is cold outside and I don't like it."
And if it weren't for having to go to class and practice, the shadow of groundhog Punxsutawney Phil would be determined before Nelson would even think about showing hers.
"You won't see me outside much when it's cold," said Nelson in her relatively thick accent. "I don't want to wear 20 pairs of pants! I want to wear my flip-flops!"
It appears fitting that these two Hoosiers share an apartment together, being that they will play key roles in the Hoosiers' strategy in 2003. Nelson is one of three 50-goal scorers returning from last year's squad - the first time that feat has been accomplished in IU's five-year history of the program. In true storybook fashion, Nelson opened up the season last year, playing her first American water polo contest, and recorded a career-high five goals. Along with Nelson, senior All-American Kristin Stanford and sophomore Krista Peterson will be scoring threats for the Hoosiers this season.
"Last year, Sharna developed into our playmaker and really pushed the improvement of our offense," said King. "We are looking forward to more of the same from her this year."
For Streefkerk, her speed and toughness places her at the two-meter defensive position, which in water polo, would be similar to defending the key player down low in the post on the basketball court.
"Kristy will be our stopper defensively this season, and will be assigned to whomever is the other teams' best offensive player," the Hoosier coach said. "Her ability to shut opponents down at two-meters will be extremely important to our success."
The potential for success is certainly clear for this year's squad as they return many of the Hoosiers' top personnel from last season's 21-14 campaign. Indiana competes in the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA), due mainly in part that, with exception of IU and Michigan, the remaining Big Ten schools that field water polo teams do so at a club level.
The champion of the CWPA Eastern Championships, which parallels the Elite Eight in basketball, moves on to the NCAA Championships. Last year, the Hoosiers lost a heartbreaking five-overtime 8-7 match against rival Michigan in the semifinals. Many Hoosier faithful believe that if IU ousted Michigan, they would have won the championship final and moved on to the Final Four.
One advantage to playing water polo in the Midwest is the extensive amount of traveling the team does. For these two Hoosiers though, getting in airplanes and flying to the coasts is certainly nothing new.
"I go home about twice a year," Streefkerk said. "I will spend two weeks at home for Christmas and I will also try to get home for at least a week during the summer as well. I have my life there and I have one here as well. My time at Indiana is priority number one right now. I'm focused on graduating from IU and earning a job with my unique degree."
For Nelson, it doesn't hurt at all to have a little love outside the family as well. Her boyfriend surprised her this past Thanksgiving by purchasing a plane ticket for her to come home to Australia.
"It was awesome. I can't even describe what it is like to go home," Nelson exclaimed. "I'm going to try to get back for Christmas as well. It is nice to be able to see the people close to me instead of talking to them over the phone. It's much cheaper to call from Australia to the U.S. instead of calling from school. It costs you an arm and a leg to phone from here."
So as winter lengthens, and a frown slowly takes over that sweet Aussie smile at the first sign of snow, the opening of Hoosier water polo is upon us. Indiana will open its season in late January in Michigan with high hopes and optimism.
Nelson and Streefkerk have come a long way to become Hoosiers. They wake up each day thanking themselves for taking that "risk". Sure, one looks out the window and sees snow instead of the Sydney skyline, while the other longs for the beautiful backdrop made up of the Seymour, Grouse, Cypress and Baker Mountains.
One thing they will see-not through a window, but through a mirror-is the future of Indiana water polo. They see that "opportunity" each day and that is what makes the trip to the United States and Indiana University worth it.
Indiana Water Polo SID: Jeff Smith • 812-855-6209
Streefkerk's interest was prompted more by her brother Jason's departure to the United States, when he chose to swim at LaSalle in Philadelphia, Pa.
"After Jason went to college, I really liked the idea of going to the States to play water polo," Streefkerk remembers. "I looked at several schools and eventually narrowed my choice down to Indiana. When I came on my visit, the campus was beautiful and the Kelley Business School was also very appealing. Almost immediately I got the impression that IU wasn't just about athletics."
For the young Canadian, school is taken very seriously. In fact, Streefkerk began college as a business major but recently switched to informatics - the newest major offered at Indiana.
"I chose informatics because I was interested more in learning how to tie in other fields with computers," Streefkerk said. "In the business school, they teach you more how to apply computers to other fields. That is what is so nice about IU; there are so many options to choose from."
One thing that Nelson has learned she has no choice or say in is the Bloomington weather. While her teammate doesn't seem to mind, Nelson could do without the wintry snow.
"It's nice to have changing seasons in Bloomington, because we don't have that back home," Nelson said. "I had never seen snow before last year though. It's pretty and all, but snow means it is cold outside and I don't like it."
And if it weren't for having to go to class and practice, the shadow of groundhog Punxsutawney Phil would be determined before Nelson would even think about showing hers.
"You won't see me outside much when it's cold," said Nelson in her relatively thick accent. "I don't want to wear 20 pairs of pants! I want to wear my flip-flops!"
It appears fitting that these two Hoosiers share an apartment together, being that they will play key roles in the Hoosiers' strategy in 2003. Nelson is one of three 50-goal scorers returning from last year's squad - the first time that feat has been accomplished in IU's five-year history of the program. In true storybook fashion, Nelson opened up the season last year, playing her first American water polo contest, and recorded a career-high five goals. Along with Nelson, senior All-American Kristin Stanford and sophomore Krista Peterson will be scoring threats for the Hoosiers this season.
"Last year, Sharna developed into our playmaker and really pushed the improvement of our offense," said King. "We are looking forward to more of the same from her this year."
For Streefkerk, her speed and toughness places her at the two-meter defensive position, which in water polo, would be similar to defending the key player down low in the post on the basketball court.
"Kristy will be our stopper defensively this season, and will be assigned to whomever is the other teams' best offensive player," the Hoosier coach said. "Her ability to shut opponents down at two-meters will be extremely important to our success."
The potential for success is certainly clear for this year's squad as they return many of the Hoosiers' top personnel from last season's 21-14 campaign. Indiana competes in the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA), due mainly in part that, with exception of IU and Michigan, the remaining Big Ten schools that field water polo teams do so at a club level.
The champion of the CWPA Eastern Championships, which parallels the Elite Eight in basketball, moves on to the NCAA Championships. Last year, the Hoosiers lost a heartbreaking five-overtime 8-7 match against rival Michigan in the semifinals. Many Hoosier faithful believe that if IU ousted Michigan, they would have won the championship final and moved on to the Final Four.
One advantage to playing water polo in the Midwest is the extensive amount of traveling the team does. For these two Hoosiers though, getting in airplanes and flying to the coasts is certainly nothing new.
"I go home about twice a year," Streefkerk said. "I will spend two weeks at home for Christmas and I will also try to get home for at least a week during the summer as well. I have my life there and I have one here as well. My time at Indiana is priority number one right now. I'm focused on graduating from IU and earning a job with my unique degree."
For Nelson, it doesn't hurt at all to have a little love outside the family as well. Her boyfriend surprised her this past Thanksgiving by purchasing a plane ticket for her to come home to Australia.
"It was awesome. I can't even describe what it is like to go home," Nelson exclaimed. "I'm going to try to get back for Christmas as well. It is nice to be able to see the people close to me instead of talking to them over the phone. It's much cheaper to call from Australia to the U.S. instead of calling from school. It costs you an arm and a leg to phone from here."
So as winter lengthens, and a frown slowly takes over that sweet Aussie smile at the first sign of snow, the opening of Hoosier water polo is upon us. Indiana will open its season in late January in Michigan with high hopes and optimism.
Nelson and Streefkerk have come a long way to become Hoosiers. They wake up each day thanking themselves for taking that "risk". Sure, one looks out the window and sees snow instead of the Sydney skyline, while the other longs for the beautiful backdrop made up of the Seymour, Grouse, Cypress and Baker Mountains.
One thing they will see-not through a window, but through a mirror-is the future of Indiana water polo. They see that "opportunity" each day and that is what makes the trip to the United States and Indiana University worth it.
Indiana Water Polo SID: Jeff Smith • 812-855-6209
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Water Polo
/ Women's Water Polo
/ Women's Water Polo
/ Women's Water Polo
/ Women's Water Polo
/ Women's Water Polo
/ Women's Water Polo
/ Women's Water Polo
/ Women's Water Polo
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