Azevedo's Coming Of Age
by Earl Williams, Long Beach Press-Telegram
November 3, 2004 Cassie Azevedo's coming-of-age party has been long overdue.
But this isn't the traditional one many girls have at age 15.
The 20-year-old junior at Long Beach State has been invited to compete at the third annual Speedo Top 40 Festival beginning Friday. The event, featuring the best players in the country, including several Olympians, is at the USA Water Polo National Aquatic Center on the Los Alamitos Joint Forces Base.
After playing in the shadows of her brother and father, it appears she's ready to make a bigger name for herself.
"It means a lot because I am trying (to be a good player)," Azevedo said. "This actually shows me that my lifting, swimming, talking to my dad (also her coach) about the game is working. I have confidence in myself that I can do this now. I am extremely excited that I am playing."
She said that the success and popularity of her brother and father have never bothered her.
Brother Tony is widely considered the best water polo player in the country, and possibly the world. The two-time U.S. Olympian has been an All-American from his days in U.S. National Youth Age Group to now at Stanford, where he has been selected Player of the Year by the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation three consecutive years.
Father Ricardo also has a long list of accomplishments, from serving as an assistant coach with the U.S. Men's Olympic team to building Wilson High boys water polo into a dynasty. And now he's established the Long Beach State women and men's teams two of the premier programs in the nation.
"There's no rivalry between my brother and I," Cassie said. "I am so proud of him. I don't think he gets enough attention. He's unbelievable. I never feel I need more attention. He's done so much more than I have."
Cassie was a prep All-American herself with the Bruins and a four- time first-team All-CIF Southern Section selection during the late 1990s.
And she's continued that success in college. She is currently ranked eighth on Long Beach State's career goals list with 86. Last season, she scored 47 goals on 37-percent shooting, while adding 56 steals and 47 assists. Her efforts helped the 49ers to a 21-9 record and final ranking of fourth in the nation.
Her play garnered first-team All-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation and third-team All- American honors.
But she didn't always appear destined for success at LBSU.
A back injury first suffered in a car accident when she was a freshman at Wilson was aggravated during a match in her freshman season with the 49ers.
"I was in the 2-meters trying to get a shot off," said Cassie, who played through the pain throughout much of her high school career.
"Something happened to my back. I don't now if the player was trying to pull me down. But all of a sudden I couldn't move. I couldn't get out of the pool. I just remember crying. ... For the next month I couldn't walk."
She returned to lead the team in scoring and assists, Ricardo said. Her father then moved her from the 2-meter to the third driver, where she plays more of a point guard role.
"I play a totally different position," Cassie said. "I have a totally different mindset. When I was in high school, my goal was to take a girl, turn her then score. Now, I look more to be the passer. Of course shoot the ball, but not so much be the main scorer."
Until recently, the 5-foot-10 Azevedo hasn't had any aspirations to play beyond college.
"A while back I really didn't want to go to the Olympics," she said. "I don't know why it wasn't a dream of mine. At first, I just wanted to play and have fun and watch my brother go to the Olympics. Now I really have a drive to do it. I want to try out for (national) teams. Now, my goal is to play in the 2008 Olympics."
Ricardo said: "I think Cassie is a star in her own right. She was four-year All-CIF. (Recognition) doesn't come easy for her."
In high school, people compared her achievements in water polo to Tony's.
If she earned All-CIF Southern Section recognition, people would bring up the fact that Tony earned MVP or four CIF-SS titles.
"She didn't like being compared to Tony," said Libby, Cassie's mother who founded the Long Beach Shore "Mom's' Water Polo Club.
"But she (took it) very well," Ricardo said. "She's not bitter. She said, 'I'm just going to be myself. I am going to try the very best I can." The great thing about it is that she and her brother are very, very close. Cassie's biggest fan is her brother." |
