Athletes of the Week: Jamie Cassidy, Jackson Parell & Taylor Walshe

Seniors Taylor Walshe, Jamie Cassidy, and Jackson Parell captain one of Exeter’s strongest teams: boys’ water polo. Exeter water polo, or bear polo, has seen a resurgence under these three captains, which can be accredited to their leadership prowess. Coming from different levels of experience, the three embrace their roles to the best of their abilities, whether it means firing up the team before games or helping out the younger players.

“Jamie’s determined and relentless, Jackson’s calm and composed [and] Taylor’s enduring and focused.”

Both Cassidy and Parell began playing for the varsity water polo in their first year at Exeter as preps. Walshe joined them on the varsity squad the following year after learning the fundamental skills and rules on JV.

Cassidy entered Exeter already a strong water polo player, playing for the Varsity B Team at Greenwich High School a year earlier. After a few interactions with Coach Mills at the Cardinal Cup, where his team had played a strong game and ultimately beat Exeter, Cassidy chose to come to Exeter and has pursued the sport since.

As three incredible players whose strengths and weaknesses truly play off one another, Walshe, Parell, and Cassidy were elected as captains by their teammates and coaches. Assistant Coach Reavill explained how the three play off each other. “Jamie has a lot of finesse moves when the ball is in his hand and brings an infectious energy to the pool every day,” he said. “Jackson’s a gritty player who holds himself responsible for shutting down our opponent’s biggest threats on offense and Taylor is a player who can get the whole team fired up by sometimes taking on two or three defenders and coming away with a goal.”

Head Coach Don Mills agreed with Reavill’s sentiment, commending each captain individually for their strengths. “Jamie’s determined and relentless, Jackson’s calm and composed [and] Taylor’s enduring and focused,” he said. “They complement each other’s strengths and weakness while bringing the rest of the squad on board.”

Upper Troy Marrero agreed that each of the captains had distinct strengths, yet all of the captains always “bring fire to each practice” and give tips throughout games. “Jackson is a talented whole set who is incredibly strong and always gives his all. Taylor is crazy athletic, he gets out of the water higher than anybody else, and makes impossible steals and goals. Jamie is a leader, and will never give up,” he said.

In addition to their their passion for the sport, their dedication to the team is evident. Walshe explained that the team and coaches were why he loves going to the pool each day for practice. “I’ve played with some of the veterans for four years so we have become great friends and developed into a lethal defensive unit. The younger guys are also phenomenal. It’s great to see them improve and find a passion for the sport,” he said. Cassidy agreed with Walshe’s sentiments, explaining that the current team was a team of “love.”

Currently captaining the senior year, Cassidy works hard to maintain a healthy team atmosphere. “When you lose games you turn on each other. Water Polo’s a team sport and sometimes that sucks because your teammates can’t pull their weight but sometimes I can’t pull my own weight. That’s why I actually prefer Water polo over swimming. We cared more about the assists not just the goals. It’s all about how we work as a team.”

The three captains hope to foster a team culture of mutual respect and responsibility. “Earned not given,” Cassidy said, eyes steely and determined. “There was a lower on this team who told me to put him in the scoring position on the team. I said no. You earn your spot on the team. You work your ass off and you’re in. And when he pulled through, I moved him there.”

Teammates and coaches both share the view that as captains, Walshe, Parell and Cassidy work together to fill their role and take on this mantle of responsibility. The three of them trust each other to do their own jobs and hold each other responsible. Walshe commends Cassidy’s work ethic in the pool, describing him as the hardest worker. Parell emphasizes both Cassidy’s and Walshe’s dedication to the sport and team. “They never fail to keep the team focused and fun,” he said. To Cassidy, his co-captains are family. “Jackson and Taylor are like family to me. We’re all brothers.”

Having played side-by-side since their lower years, a bond like theirs is not surprising. This season will be their last together as water polo players and they can all agree that it will be a difficult goodbye. Parell described what, over the course of four years, this team has meant to him. “The Exeter polo team has been like a family to me since prep year. It was the community I first felt apart of when I came to Exeter, and it will be the community I miss the most when I leave.”

As they close this final season together, besides hoping to leave some mark on the team and program, their goal is to win their championships this year, together. Cassidy put it bluntly, “You need a driving goal, and my goal is to win the championship. To get the banner on Exeter’s walls, I have one shot left, and this is my chance to leave a footprint on Exeter.” The only way to do this is through hard work, coupled with what Mills called their “never ending desire to get better.” “[They’re] outstanding captains.  They truly care about their teammates and how the team progresses throughout the season,” he said. “Driven players who want to win and typically find ways to do so.”