More than scoring goals or winning games, sports rely on a certain family dynamic between the team and its coach in order to run smoothly. Coach Ryan Lindblom rejoined the Panther water polo family this year after playing for the team during high school.

“Ryan has been a really good friend of mine for a long time,” freshman Phoebe Iglesias said. “We played on the same club team so it’s weird seeing him as my coach, but awesome.”

Coach Lindblom began playing the sport six years ago as a high school freshman. Now, between games and practices, he studies mechanical engineering at Miami Dade College. Although Miami Dade lacks a water polo team, Coach Lindblom plans to transfer to FIU where he can continue his degree and play the sport.

“I haven’t been able to play against any colleges but I’ve been practicing and trying to stay in shape as much as I can,” Coach Lindblom said.

The young coach described his transition from player to coach in such a short span of time and at an age so close to that of the rest of the team members as “surreal.”

“I really never saw this coming,” Coach Lindblom said. “I would’ve never thought I’d be coming back as the coach my last year playing for Palmetto.”

Mr. Lindblom coaches both the girls and boys water polo teams. Both teams have progressed significantly since the new coach’s arrival.

“I think it’s great having a young coach because he was just on Palmetto’s water polo team two years ago, so the experience is still fresh in his head. I think the girls are doing great; so far they’re all easy to teach, they pick up on the skill fast, and they have a strong drive for the sport which will take them far,” senior Michelle Barrios said. “[Coach Lindblom] has been training us really hard and getting us all prepared for our upcoming games, and this year our team is closer than ever – it’s a big family.”

The girls team is all new, equipped with new members and a new goalie who have had to learn from the start.  Likewise, the boys team has had to teach many new members.

“The team is doing really well, to be honest. For a team of mostly people who are just learning what water polo is, they’re coming along really well,” Lindblom said. “They have a lot of potential and I know if they’re willing to put forth the effort, we could have a really strong chance of going far this year.”