Josh Rachner is an average 20-year old UT student, who enjoys beating the heat and even letting it off by diving into the pool.
Rachner, a management information systems junior, is the captain of the Texas Men's Water Polo club.
"I've been swimming competitively since I was 5 years old and began playing water polo after my sixth grade summer. Before playing for high school I played for a Houston club," says Rachner.
Rachner's team won the state championship during his senior at Clear Creek High School. He has been a part of the team since his freshman year.
"I had the possibility to go and play for a Division III water polo club, but I decided to focus on school and play for a club team, so that it's not as intense in terms of training, but is competitive. UT water polo is ranked nationally, and we have guys coming from all over to play," says Rachner.
UT Men's Water Polo club has an A and a B squad, with 15 players on each. Rachner is the co-captain of the A squad.
"My responsibility as captain is to motivate. I have a lot of experience in this sport, and I have, what you would call, a high water polo IQ," says Rachner.
Rachner is a utility player and therefore plays on multiple positions. He acknowledges the hazards that come with playing competitive water polo.
"In each game, people get a gouge in the eye or a black eye. Sometimes you get a torn ligament and even broken noses. I have surgery scheduled for this summer for a torn ligament in my hand," says Rachner.
In a sport where there is so much physicality involved, the only protective gear these players wear are thin caps that have plastic muffs around the ears.
Since water polo is a club sport at UT, the players themselves take care of most of the expenditures, including travel, food and even paying for pool time. They have still traveled extensively to compete in Collegiate Water Polo Association events.
"We have travelled to about 15 states across the country and have even been to Monterey, Mexico to compete. We have competed with international teams as well, including in a tournament we hosted last weekend where we were placed seventh out of 16 teams," says Rachner.
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