Citrus College student Mary “Missy” McCreary is now racing for the women’s swim team this season after playing two seasons on the women’s water polo team.
McCreary said she has been swimming competitively since she was a freshman in high school.
“I only swim competitively because I am a water polo player,” she said.
In 2014 as a freshman, McCreary led the women’s water polo team, scoring 36 goals in 24 games and just 10 starts. Also, as a freshman she redshirted for the swim team.
McCreary said she chose to come to Citrus to become a better water polo player.
“I want to make myself good enough to compete at the Division I level,” she said.
In 2015 as a sophomore, she started in all 29 games for the Owls, scored a team-high 50 goals and recorded 40 steals. She also helped the women’s water polo team to a 19-10 record, the most victories in school history, and made second-team All-Western State Conference.
“That felt really good,” McCreary said. “My goal was to try and get first team, but knowing that I got at least second team is awesome. I wasn’t recognized for that last year, so it was great.”
Aside from personal awards, McCreary also won the admiration of her teammates for her work ethic.
“She’s had a great impact on the team,” women’s water polo assistant coach Adam Roth said, “She’s a great athlete and also has an amazing attitude. Her teammates respond really well to her energy.”
Roth is a Citrus College alumnus and has an extensive coaching resume to his name, including having been a member of the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center since 2007. McCreary has known Roth since she was a freshman in high school, as she used to swim competitively at the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center.
“He is the best coach I’ve ever had for both water polo and swim,” McCreary said. “He has helped me tremendously. I think he’s used all his coaching experience to help my team and I get better.”
McCreary and Roth see in each other the same positive light that inspires them every day.
“I think I take as much from her as she does from me,” Roth said. “I walk on deck and I’m happy to see Missy there. I’m glad she’s taken a lot of positives from me, because I have equally taken the same from her.”
Along with her coach, McCreary’s teammates have nothing but good things to say about her. “Missy is the most outgoing person I have ever met,” swim teammate Carly Casillas said. “I feel like she’s the type of person that draws other people to her. I’m really glad we have become such close friends.”
Prior to her enrollment at Citrus College, McCreary attended La Salle High School in Pasadena. There, she was on the varsity water polo team all four years.
“I had no idea that the sport even existed until I was in high school,” McCreary said. “The coach saw me walking in the hallway, and she had told one of her players to approach me and talk me into going to a practice. I went to a practice and really got into it.”
Now participating in her first season for the swimming team, McCreary specializes in the breaststroke events.
The women’s swim team will travel to Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo on April 21 for day one of three at the Western State Conference Championships.
“She has had to swim some tough events that not many people like,” Casillas said. “Unfortunately, this season we have a small squad, so having her compete has really helped.”
McCreary plans on transferring to a Division I university in the fall and continue playing water polo.
“The dream would be to play at Michigan,” McCreary said. “I did get an offer from St. Francis University in Pennsylvania, and actually just went there for a visit a month ago.”
Living in Southern California, McCreary said she would enjoy staying close to home.
“I would also love to go to San Diego State,” she said. “The location is perfect.”
McCreary reeieves plenty of support from those around her.
“I know that Missy can do anything she sets her mind to,” Casillas said. “I am extremely confident that she will continue to play water polo at the next level.”
Roth agrees with the team, regarding the future of their captain.
“I can see her going a long way athletically, definitely,” said Roth. “Her attitude will take her a long way in anything she chooses to do and pursue.”
