Gimme 5: H-F's Schloen Has Done it All in High School

Homewood-Flossmoor senior water polo player Sophie Schloen has done it all in high school, both in the pool and in the classroom.

“I can say I have accomplished everything that I wanted to do while I was at H-F,” Schloen said.

She has been the starting goalie for the Vikings the last three seasons. Last season, she led the Vikings to their best finish in the IHSA state tournament, fourth place. She and her fellow Vikings have continued that success this year.

H-F entered sectional play at Lincoln-Way North as the top seed.

“This is one of the best, most talented senior classes we have had, and we have had some excellent players pass through here,” Vikings coach Pat Duignan said.

Schloen also has been a star in the classroom at H-F. She is a member of the National Honor Society. In the fall, she will be attending the University of California at Berkeley where she will double-major in history and music.

“I want to become a history professor,” Schloen said.

She lists the Vikings' upset of perennial power Fenwick in last year's state quarterfinals as her most memorable moment in water polo to date. It was the first time the Vikings had defeated the Friars. Schloen was credited with 16 saves.

She has the physical attributes to be a successful goalie.

“You need strong legs and you always have to be aware of what is going on,” she said.

Schloen also has the mental toughness that is needed, especially in the playoffs. "It is definitely a lot of pressure. S0me of those playoff games are really close. You can’t let one goal get to your head.”

Schloen will play club water polo next year at Cal-Berkeley. She credits her coach for being a great influence on her and the rest of the team’s success.

“He is always really supportive and he never gets mad at us,” Schloen said.  “When we do something wrong, he knows that we know. So, he doesn’t belabor (the point). He just tells us how to make it better next time.”

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