Monday, September 22, 1997 Head and shoulders FEATURE: UCLA
men’s water polo co-captain Steve Covec searches for ways to
display his leadership skills
By Lisa Quon
Daily Bruin Contributor
Leading the Bruin squad of talented young water polo players is
senior Steve Covec. Probably the most well-known of the players,
Covec serves as co-captain in his position as play maker this
season.
Having already been a member of two national championship teams,
this veteran in the water will lead the team both by experience and
by example.
"I try to lead the team by just being myself," Covec said. "I
don’t feel any extra pressure, however, because I tell myself that
all I can do is try my best every time I play."
"Covec provides leadership through his exemplary performances,"
UCLA head coach Guy Baker said. "His experience is key, both in and
out of the water."
Covec became interested in water polo the summer before his
freshman year in high school after watching his older brother play.
At Palo Alto High School, he was a four year letterman under the
direction of coaches Russell Tanner and Craig Ackely.
By the end of his high school career, Covec’s list of
accomplishments was already staggering.
He was a two-time league most valuable player, first team
All-CIF and All-American and two-time member of the Junior Olympics
and National Youth Team in 1992.
"Being a member of the Junior Olympics and National Youth Teams
was extremely rewarding," Covec said. "It gave me the opportunity
to meet different players within the country, some of whom I play
with at UCLA now."
Covec wasn’t always sure he wanted to be a Bruin. In high
school, he was recruited by all of the college water polo
powerhouses, which include Stanford, California, USC and UC
Irvine.
"I chose UCLA because I felt most comfortable with the players,"
Covec explained. "Los Angeles was an exciting new city, and in my
position (as play maker), I felt I could contribute the most at
UCLA."
"I have absolutely no regrets about coming here," Covec
adds.
Although Covec’s aggressiveness and talent allowed him to be
productive as a starter throughout his freshman season in ’94, he
still found some trouble adjusting to college water polo.
"Physically, the players were bigger. Mentally, the game was
more intense," Covec said.
Any doubts Covec may have had did not show up in his play,
however, as he scored 25 goals and was the second-highest two-point
scorer on the team.
In his sophomore season, Covec fared just as well, scoring 24
goals. The highlight of his season came in the NCAA Championship
match against California, where he scored a third quarter goal to
break the 6-6 tie and win the title.
Last year, Covec again came up big when it counted, scoring two
of UCLA’s seven goals in the NCAA championship match against USC.
He earned NCAA second team All-Tournament honors.
Though Covec is proud of the honor, he doesn’t take it too
seriously.
"Being given All-Tournament honors was a reward, but it doesn’t
mean that much because it only reflects upon one tournament, not my
whole season," Covec said.
To add to Covec’s list of achievements is his earning
All-Academic Team honors with a 3.2 GPA.
"Grades are as important as water polo to me," Covec said. "I
admit it’s really hard to study during the season because we travel
so much."
Outside of water polo, this athlete is a well-rounded
person.
Covec enjoys not only competing in sports, but also playing the
guitar and surfing. After he graduates as a geography and
environmental studies student, he plans to go on an extended trip
with his family sailing through Europe.
Covec is always searching for new goals to accomplish, such as
to one day represent the United States in water polo at the
Olympics.
His biggest goal of winning a national championship has already
been realized over each of the last two seasons.
Though Covec is a natural competitor, his friendly nature
remains apparent to his teammates.
"Steve is an easygoing yet hard working guy," teammate Eric
Helfer said. "He is friends with everyone and we are all very
comfortable playing with him."
Covec’s hopes for his final season remain the same as
always.
"I want to get to another national championship game," Covec
said. "When we’re there, we plan to win it."
THE PLAYERS STEVE COVECMen’s water poloSenior6’1", 170
poundsDiver The senior co-captain of the back-to-back NCAA
championship squad has earned NCAA All-Tournament team honors both
in 1995 and 1996. Covec notched two of UCLA’s seven goals in the
championship match versus USC. The left-hander has started in all
except one of the games during his Bruin career.