Athlete of the Week: 10 questions with Rosie Woodman, New Trier water polo

Rosie Woodman was an All-State player for the Trevians. She will continue her career with Villanova starting in the fall.

1. Do you have any pregame rituals or superstitions?

Honestly not really. I’m not superstitious like that. I like to talk to all my teammates and friends to get hyped together rather than focusing on myself.

2. Why Villanova?

I fell in love with the campus when I saw it. It’s a perfect size, great location, and the team are so close with each other. They clearly love each other and that was a big thing for me when picking a school, knowing the team really loves each other.

3. What is your favorite thing to do outside of the pool?

I have two dogs (Gary, 2, golden-doodle; Sadie, Portuguese water dog) and I love hanging out with them and I think they are the cutest thing ever and I’m really going to miss them. I love hanging out with them and chilling with them.

4. Your twin brother is standout water polo player too. What is something unique about your relationship?

We look nothing alike. I have brown hair, brown eyes, and he has blond hair, blue eyes, so people don’t realize we’re twins until we say something. We’re a lot closer than people think we are. We tell each other a lot of stuff and it’s pretty nice to have someone you can relate to all the time.

5. How did you get into water polo?

It was actually Hank. He started playing like two years before me and he like begged me, ‘You have to come play,’ and at the time I wanted to stick to swimming. But he finally convinced me.

6. What’s something most people don’t understand about water polo?

There is a lot that goes on under the water that people don’t necessarily see. It’s a lot of grabbing; there’s some kicking. It’s a lot more aggressive than you see on the surface.

7. What would be your dream job?

I really want to work with kids. I don’t know exactly what. I love kids and I want to give back to them somehow and help them move forward.

8. If you are in Walgreens with a couple bucks, what are you buying?

I would have to say a thing of sweet tea and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.

9. What’s something people don’t know about you?

I would have to say that I have 13 cousins on my one side and we always get together in the summer. Those are some of my favorite times when we get together. I love having a big family and not a lot of people realize that.

10. What did New Trier water polo mean to you?

The high school team, I love it. It’s such a different experience. You’re together all the time. I think I saw them more than I saw my brother during that time. You really become family and I have made friends I will keep in contact with for life.

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