Athlete of the Week

Burlingame native Gianna Davino is making a splash as a member of the College of San Mateo (CSM) water polo team. Under the guidance of coach Randy Wright, she has progressed from a  (BHS) player to a CSM star to perhaps one day a player at a four year program. 

While at BHS, Davino kept herself busy as a three-sport athlete, involved in water polo, soccer, track and field, and in her last two years, swimming. Davino said she stopped enjoying track and field, and credits the excellent swim coaching at BHS for keeping her focus on the pool.

Although she had been involved with competitive swimming since second grade with the Burlingame Aquatic Club, Davino only began playing water polo her freshman year.

"My friends started playing," she said. "It was a new thing to all of us, but they convinced me to give it a try." Davino was able to combine her talent and love for swimming with her soccer mentality and apply some of her pre-existing skills to her new interest.

Davino said that, while water polo was a new concept to her, she saw some similarities to other sports she had been involved in the past.

"I've played soccer since I was four years old; it was my first love," Davino said. "I noticed the similarities between the two sports and it seemed like something I could do well. There's a huge physical aspect to both sports."

She credits her high school coach, Suze Gardner, for treating the team like they were playing at the college level, thus preparing her for the rigorous workouts from Wright.

"Suze runs a great program at BHS," Davino said. "She worked us hard, and it showed in our games and in our results."

With experience in so many different sports while in high school, one might ask why Davino chose to pursue water polo at the junior college level.

"I like the intensity of the sport-- I play well under pressure," she said. "I love the swimming, shooting, defending; it's the complete package for me."

Davino has nothing but great things to say about her teammates, noting that everyone has a skill they contributed to the team's success. Davino said her best skills showcase themselves when her team is on offense, however she said some of her skills need work.

"I want to improve on whole set," said Davino. "Even though I'm small, I'd like to be ale to hold my own while I'm in the middle of it all."

Davino finished this season with 38 goals and was awarded Second Team All Coast Conference Honors.

Wright said Davino's skill spring from her passion to play, compete and win.

"She is super focused on improving her game and pushing others to ensure team success," he said. "She works out extremely hard, she spends extra time in the pool and in the weight room, and it's this drive that pushes teammates to compete and to work as hard as her."

Wright said her persistence in practice pays off in the pool.

"She has good speed and strength, but it's her polo awareness that separates her from most players," he said. "She is great at anticipating, finding an open lane, and getting herself into a position to score."

Davino keeps herself busy in the off season by coaching masters water polo at BAC and lifeguarding. She plans on transferring to a four year university after her run at CSM, hopefully to play water polo at CSU San Marcos or San Diego State.

Davino plans on majoring in business and taking over her uncle's flower shop one day.