Player Spotlight and Career Firsts: Milan Sumich
Milan Sumich, Cal Water Polo Defender
Photo courtesy of Cal Water Polo
After a successful season last year, our Men’s Water Polo team kicked off their first home game of the season with a win against University of the Pacific. During the post-game, I was able to have a quick chat with defender Milan Sumich.
Riding the high of his first collegiate hat trick, Sumich’s brain was one I wanted to pick. While waiting for the players to finish up in the locker room, it was hard not to notice what a beautiful night it was. The water at Spieker Aquatics Complex had settled and the Friday night lights were glistening across the pool.
In a few minutes, one of the tallest humans I'd ever met walked up to me — and I met Scottie Pippin a few times, so the bar has been set high.
It's safe to say the water polo games at Cal get pretty hype, but as a student myself, I'd argue water polo gets overlooked by the general student population. This is a tragic misjudgement by Cal students, as we boast international champions and Olympians. Sumich, the 6’8” Sophomore from San Juan Capistrano, gave me an inside look into his gameday routine and mindset throughout the four quarters.
As I asked about pre-game rituals, Sumich told me, “I always have the same stretching routine before every game,” and noted to always “get active, get a sweat going, drink a lot of water,” but “not too much.” Upon reflection I wonder, do water polo players still have the 30-minute food rule? Milan, let us know.
Although the defender might not have specific songs to get him game day ready, he gave us some insight into his mindset and camaraderie in the locker room. “I like staying in the zone, I'm usually pretty quiet before, but once the game gets going I'm loud with the boys.”
As we chatted, I realized how much Milan values his teammates. As a true Golden Bear, not only is he constantly improving and breaking new personal records, he also performs in a way that uplifts his teammates and the overall program.
After asking about his first collegiate hat trick, Sumich stated that he “just felt flow” throughout the game, but in the fourth quarter especially, when “the team was in flow state, it set [him] up well and [he] was able to finish good passes.”
Later, he added: “It feels good, the team put in the work the whole four quarters and I was happy to put it away in the fourth as well, it always feels good to do that. It's a team effort and [I had] great passes from the guys.”
After the interview, I was grateful to have had the opportunity to capture such a special moment in Sumich’s career. He expressed the Golden Bear spirit in reflecting upon himself, but chose to spend the majority of our chat praising his teammates and the work they put in together. Despite his notably humble character, I hope he took a moment to soak it all in before getting back to work.
So when the Friday night lights illuminate what feels like Cal’s hidden gem of championships, rich history, and elite athletes, fans will watch as the rest of the season unfolds at Spieker Aquatics Complex. Sumich closed out the interview saying, “look out for us this season,” urging Cal fans, students, and Alumni to go out and support our team.
Sept 11, vs University of the Pacific
Photo courtesy of Shea Bashan