Many may know Kristin Rodriguez as a CHS science teacher. She teaches Anatomy, Marine Biology, and IB Biology. Rodriguez also coaches the boys’ water polo team. However, her coaching background extends further than her work here at CHS. Many may not know that Rodriguez coached the US Olympic women’s water polo team for seven years before becoming a teacher here at CHS. She traveled with the US team and her and her team competed in many honorary tournaments, including the Australia and New Zealand tournaments that led them to the World Superfinals. Rodriguez worked alongside the prestigious Olympic Head Coach Adam Krikorian who coached the team to gold in 2012 and 2016 and has 15 national champions. Rodriguez learned a great deal and had the experience of a lifetime. She loved coaching the USA water polo team and has decided to continue her work at CHS.
“[The experience] was amazing,” Rodriguez said. “I learned a ton and had the opportunity to visit the two places that I had always dreamed of visiting. Any time I get to travel and represent our country it’s such a positive experience. To say I learned a lot is an understatement.”
Rodriguez represents USA with her water polo team and never failed to inspire them. She especially loved the chances to travel and speak for her country with their many worldwide tournaments. One that especially stood out to her was their trip to Australia. Rodriguez had always dreamed of visiting there, and her and her team made that possible. Rodriguez and her water polo team began the trip in Australia by training two and a half hours each morning, and then another training with the Australia team in the evening. USA had two formal games with Australia for competition practice before the real tournament. Each day was crammed with preparation: practice, team meetings, games, video, and more. The next week took place in new Zealand where Rodriguez’s team participated in the FINA International Cup. This qualification tournament was tough, but they persevered and got a great seating for the World Superfinals. Other than that, the water polo team went undefeated and brought the gold back to America proudly.
“Working with team USA over these past few years has really made me much more prideful and more appreciative of being an American,” Rodriguez said.
Being one of the top women’s water polo programs in the world, Rodriguez definitely has a lot to be proud of. Working with a wonderful team that respectfully represents this country is definitely an honor.
Rodriguez is a full time dedicated teacher and coach. She has always had a strong passion to teach and has been coaching the Olympic team for the past seven years. She has always coached younger athletes who show true potential, however she enjoys this switch to older, more experienced Olympic athletes and the coaching staff. She is very satisfied with her current schedule, juggling both USA and CHS teams well, getting the best of both worlds. The story of Rodriguez is very surprising to some, having mastered many fields of expertise. She is extremely content with her life, coaching and teaching different groups and being able to make her own memories. Rodriguez is proud to represent her country and