High school water polo teams hold significant values to some athletes, as they serve as a stepping stone for aspiring to hone their skills, embody leadership qualities, and pave their path toward a promising future in the sport. Within this framework, Bonita Vista High’s (BVH) boy’s water polo team captain and junior Trevor Manaligod stands out as a beacon of talent, leadership, and a role model since his sophomore year in 2022.
“The team as a whole, you can tell that they respect Trevor a lot. They look up to him as a player and look up to him as an inspiration and see how they can be just like him,” Troy Manaligod said.
Boy’s water polo co-captain Elijah Hutchins believes that a proficient leader is someone who navigates the team through the flow of the game, instills discipline, motivation and strategic direction. These leaders unify the team, boosting morale during challenging moments and celebrating achievements to maintain a cohesive and determined spirit. He believes that Trevor Manaligod is one of these leaders.
“Trevor did a good job of stepping up to the role, even though he was only a sophomore. I think this year, me and him are feeling the improvement at practice and at games. Trevor is very consistent with how he plays, making it hard to criticize anything he does,” Hutchins said.
Troy Manaligod, expressed his belief that Trevor Manaligod possesses a unique quality in which his weakness disappears with his strength as a leader. One prominent aspect of Trevor Manaligod’s leadership that Troy Manaligod notes is his authority and vocal assertiveness.
“Trevor can get into the game too much and he starts to yell at people sometimes, but it’s all good because it just shows how much of a leader he is and how much he cares about his teammates,” Troy Manaligod said.
Since Trevor’s sophomore year, he has exhibited significant growth and maturation in his role as a leader within his team. Hutchins expresses that Trevor Manaligod has an ability to discern the positive qualities in each of the players, appreciating their strengths rather than succumbing to frustration or resentment. In this way, a supportive and constructive team environment is fostered.
“He’s really improved on seeing the good side of players without taking any anger out on them and really controlling any animosity [within the team],” Hutchins said.
Being captain of the water polo team does not stop Trevor Manaligod from navigating the delicate balance between the demanding rigors of the sport and excelling academically. He has honed the ability to allocate dedicated time for practices, games, and workouts while meticulously planning his study sessions and adhering to deadlines of assignments and projects.
“He has a pretty balanced social, sports, and educational life. He definitely does all his homework on time and he doesn’t prioritize one over the other,” Troy said.
Trevor Manaligod serves as a source of inspiration for his teammates and their personal growth. His dedication to both his team, his academic pursuits and inspiration to his brothers has been nothing short of moving. From his early days as a sophomore captain to the accomplished leader he has become today, his journey illustrates the transformative power of sports, dedication, and perseverance.
As Trevor continues to inspire his teammates and peers, his brother Troy and co- captain Elijah stated that both in the pool and in the classroom, his achievements remind his team of the potential that can be unlocked through hard work, commitment and time management..
“He definitely has a responsibility for Everyone on the team, making sure everyone’s on time. Everyone shows up to practice and do their best,” Troy said.. Despite Trevor’s brother being on the team he actually enjoys being around them. “I actually play with both my brothers. It’s fun, we kind of mess around during practice and sometimes they’re in games if we have the chance,” Trevor said. Elijah makes the statement, “Trevor’s leadership makes it hard to criticize anything he does.”
