Buchanan Grad Chases Olympic Dream

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As the Olympics draw near, Buchanan product Rick Merlo, 25, is fighting to retain his position on the U.S. men's water polo team.

Merlo, a 2005 UC-Irvine graduate, survived the team's June 11 cut from 18 to 15 players. The team's final cut to 13 players will be June 30.

The utility player, who has played professionally in Europe, described his position as "On the bubble."

Merlo recently sat down with Wayne Bean, a former water polo player and retired Thousands Oaks resident, to talk water polo:

Q: Tell me about the pressures of trying to make the USA men's water polo team.

A: The pressures of trying to make this team are very strong. Playing water polo is something I have done since I was 10 years old. And at that age my dream of making an Olympic water polo team was born. So for me this has been a lifelong dream and for this dream to come true would be something that would follow me for the rest of my life. And these pressures are just coming from me. There also are the pressures from your teammates and coaches to perform at the highest level every day.

Q: How do you prepare mentally?

A: For me, mental preparation is very important. As much as I can I like to go over every different game situation in my head, so when they happen in the pool, I already know what to do because I went through it in my head.

Q: What would it mean to you to make the team?

A: This would be something that words could not describe.

Q: What is the most satisfying experience you have had playing nationally or internationally?

A: For me, a satisfying experience is when I honestly give 100 percent of everything I have into a game or training.

Q: What is your favorite part of the game?

A: The competitions. When we actually get to play in front of a crowd against different countries. For me, that is my favorite part of the game.

Q: What is the most challenging part of the game?

A: Getting motivated every day to train at the highest level when you know all you're going to do is swim for two hours.

Q: What is your greatest achievement?

A: Starting this sport as a nobody from a town not really known for water polo and becoming one of the best in this country.

Q: What is the hardest fundamental for you to master?

A: I feel that I do all the fundamentals pretty well.

Q: How did you get started playing water polo?

A: I got started by watching my older brother, Mark, playing for his high school.

Q: What do you like about representing the USA?

A: I love the representing the USA. I love being a part of the best country in the world. I love hearing our national anthem before the game starts.

Q: Anything you don't like about representing the USA?

A: No.

Q: If you could change anything you don't like, what would it be?

A: I wish I could be three inches taller and a couple of seconds faster.

Q: What other hobbies do you have?

A: I like to read a good book, play video games and spend time with my girlfriend.