Sept. 17, 2014
SAN DIEGO - Starting with the first week of classes back in late August, we began to look at every varsity women's water polo team in school history, which spans 20 seasons. This week we take a peek at the 1997 squad. The Aztecs earned a berth to the College National Championship in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where they went 3-1, which concluded with a thrilling triple-overtime 8-7 victory over Stanford. SDSU finished with a 17-12 record (4-2 MPSF) and a third-place national finish under head coach Deena Schmidt.
Where are they now?
Rachel Ruano, formerly Rachel Scott, was a four-year letterwinner with the Aztecs and was a member of the first team in school history (1995). She completed her eligibility in 1998, and was San Diego State's first two-time All-American, earning first-team accolades in 1997 and second-team honors in 1998. Her other accolades included being named the National Collegiate Goalie of the Year in 1995, a three-time all-conference performer, a two-time National Collegiate Championship All-Tournament Team selection, an alternate for the U.S. Olympic Team in 2000 and an assistant coach for the U.S. team in the 2004 Olympics.
Questions for Rachel:
1. Why did you choose San Diego State?
"Honestly, it was the most affordable option for me. However, I had met John Wadas, aquatics director at SDSU at the time, when I came to visit San Diego state. I was excited about the vision he shared and the opportunity to be a part of the development of a nationally competitive women's water polo program."
2. Where has life taken you since graduating from SDSU?
"After finishing my SDSU playing career, I played on the U.S. National Team for a couple of years and then, after graduating from SDSU, spent two years on the U.S. National Team staff through the 2004 Athens Olympics. I then moved to Sacramento where I have now lived for 10 years, helping build American River Water Polo Club as a coach and administrator, as well as building a home for four boys ages 8, 6, 4 and 2. I wouldn't trade my crazy life for anything."
3. What does it mean to you to be the only female water polo player in the Aztec Hall of Fame?
"Being inducted into the Aztec Hall of Fame was a very humbling experience. I'm not much for accolades and awards, so it's not easy for me to talk about myself. Suffice to say, I hope that I won't be the only female water polo player in the Aztec Hall of Fame for long."
4. What was your favorite game while playing at SDSU?
"The National Championship game in 1995, my freshman year, in Maryland. We played a very tough and physical game against Slippery Rock, the women's water polo power at the time, and almost knocked them off, falling just short. It was a game filled with ups and downs, tough calls went against us, our coach got ejected, the veteran players stepped up and led, and the entire team rose to the occasion and gave favored Slippery Rock a serious run for their money. I was upset that we lost but, even then, I could tell that it had been a game I would always remember for the way the team had dealt with adversity."
5. What is your advice for future student-athletes at SDSU?
"Make a list of what you want to accomplish. Don't just hope things will happen; make them happen.
"Don't take your SDSU experience for granted. You have a short window of time to be a collegiate athlete and a college student. Push yourself and you are likely to be surprised at what you can accomplish. Academically, seek new challenges and experiences; once you are out of college it gets a lot harder."
Stay Connected with SDSU Water Polo
Make sure to stay updated with Aztec water polo by liking them on Facebook, and following them on Twitter and Instagram.
Former Aztecs can also stay connected with other former student-athletes through the Aztec Varsity Club. For more information on the newly formed athletics group, visit goaztecs.com/avc or contact Johanna Pfeiffer at (619) 594-6444 or aztecvarsityclub@mail.sdsu.edu.