By: Katie Sverchek, SDA Media Relations/Sun Devil Water Polo
She was in sixth grade when the doctor told her she had broken too many bones and had to make a decision. Not only had she broken both wrists but also her right ankle three times and her left one once – the latter having to be shaved down with pins placed in it. She needed to either give up on being an athlete a sport more forgiving of her extremities, so she jumped on the opportunity to keep living her dream and jumped into the pool as a result.
And now, sophomore attacker Taylor Bertrand, from San Diego, Calif., is a force to be reckoned with.
“I never thought of giving up athletics. I loved being outside and doing something,” Bertrand said. “I just had to find a sport that was low impact so that was either swimming or water polo and I was better at water polo so I stuck with that.”
A natural athlete, certain things in water polo came easily to her so she set her mind to learning the game. Water polo quickly became her life, early morning practices to tournaments every weekend.
“Playing softball and baseball for so long really helped me at the beginning of my water polo career because I didn't have to learn how to throw and shoot,” she said.
Her mom has always been her biggest supporter.
“My mom was a single mom most of my childhood and supported me through everything” Bertrand said. “Sometimes, we couldn’t even pay for tournament fees, so my coaches would step in and pay for me.”
Through the unrelenting support from her mom and coaches, she was able to get to where she is today, playing Division I water polo at a top-10 nationally ranked team.
Why become a Sun Devil?
“I fell in love with the team's relationship and the school spirit while I was on my recruiting trip here. I didn’t get to experience either one of those things while in high school,” Bertrand said.
“(Head Coach) Todd (Clapper) played a big role in my recruitment, he was really supportive and saw my strengths and wanted to heighten them as well as strengthen my weaknesses,” she said.
Not only did becoming a Sun Devil give her the opportunity to play Division I water polo but it gave her a new family. The countless hours spent with teammates during practice time, travel trips, or even just study hall builds relationships unlike any other. Going through a really rough training and knowing your teammate is there to build you up and support you is very comforting.
There is something special for Bertrand about playing for the Sun Devils.
“The team chemistry and family like atmosphere is unlike any other team,” she said.
Being a Division I student-athlete isn’t easy for the average 20-year-old. Not only is it as time consuming as a full-time job, but it is physically straining on your mind and body. There are countless hours spent on schoolwork, game prep, practice, team meetings, travelling, competitions, etc. Being a student-athlete truly tests your character and it takes an exceptional person to succeed.
“Staying organized and prioritizing your time” are among her tips to succeeding as a student-athlete and taking the transition from high school to college. Having 20 hours of grueling training a week, with a full academic schedule isn’t easy, but all it takes is “hard work,” she said.
In her spare time, Bertrand enjoys cooking and hanging out with friends and teammates as well as off road racing. Off road racing has been one of her main hobbies outside of water polo, spending countless weekends at the track.
For the past five years she has been working alongside her father and his racing team.
“I spot for my dad which is pretty cool, we have a father-daughter duo,” she said.
Bertrand’s racing life was put on hold when she became a Sun Devil, only being able to compete when she isn’t in school. Lucky for her, Arizona hosts many races that her father’s team comes out for so she is able to go and help out when she can.
During her first season as a Sun Devil she was one of the first contributors off the bench. She scored nine goals, putting her ninth overall on the team and had a career-high three goals in a single-game against CSU Bakersfield on March 7.
Asked what she would like to accomplished in her second season, Bertrand put all the emphasis on the team aspect of the game.
“I want to be a better teammate, and be more involved and supportive of my teammates when they play,” Bertrand said. “Being a teammate that the younger classmen can look up to is something I strive to be.”
“I want to try and be a starter this year. But, if I’m not, I am going to work really hard to be one of the first players off the bench and still make a big impact in the games,” she said.