In a clear blue pool, two teams compete intensely for the yellow water polo ball, their powerful kicks keeping them afloat. Senior Caio Cammer rises above the water, preparing to throw the ball with precision, while the goalkeeper braces to block the incoming shot. The water ripples with constant movement as the splash of powerful strokes is accompanied by the referee’s whistle and the cheers of an eager crowd.

For Caio, this water sport takes up a big portion of his life. Being on the Harker team and an outside club, the San Jose Express, water polo takes up much of his time. 

“I like the competitive spirit, I like the team bonding, and the friendships I make with my team,” Caio said. “I like how I feel after practice. You’re tired after a good practice, but it’s a good time.”

Before playing water polo, Caio was involved in swimming. The experience wasn’t always smooth: he found himself at odds with his coach and, when he was seven, he decided to quit. His neighbors, a family involved in water polo, became his inspiration. They motivated him to try the sport, starting a journey that now defines much of his life.Preview (opens in a new tab)

Recently, Caio transitioned from playing goalie to playing field in water polo, a change due to his height, which no longer matched the demands of his age group and the competitive level at which he plays. 

“I had to work a good five times harder to try and get into the right shape to go from goalkeeper to field player,” Caio said. “I worked really hard to make sure I got into the right shape and the right mindset as well. I already played for a good 10 years, so I do know enough; I didn’t have to learn anything new, but I did have to completely change how I see everything and how I act while in the water.”

Completely switching skill sets was one of the biggest roadblocks Caio needed to deal with. It was not just a physical challenge but also a mental one, as he had to adapt to a new role on the team. Yet, despite the hardships Caio faced, his love for the sport has not changed.

“There are times where you think, ‘Oh, it might be too much,’” Caio said. “But for me, those times have rarely ever come because I like what I do. I love the sport, so it’s not really a chore and an extra commitment to play. It’s fun for me, but I know a lot of people who get really overwhelmed, and it’s not easy being able to stay calm.”

Whether it’s mastering a completely new skill set after transitioning from goalie to field player or dealing with the demands of academics and water polo, Caio consistently demonstrates an admirable level of focus and determination. Close friend senior Veer Sahasi attests to Caio’s hard-working nature and ability to push through challenges, which inspire those around him.

“I’m inspired to adopt some of the qualities that I admire about Caio,” Veer said. “I admire that he always puts his best foot forward and puts all of his effort into whatever he’s doing. He’s very hard-working and tries his best in everything he does, and I try to emulate that.”

Caio’s peers admire his honesty to be just as admirable as his work ethic. Close friend senior Daniel Dorfman describes him as someone they can rely on for honest feedback and genuine support, as it strengthens his relationships with people.

“I find us to be very honest with each other and straightforward,” Daniel said. “He’s not afraid to let you know the truth, even if it’s hard, and that’s something I very much admire.”

Caio is also willing to help people around him. He provides guidance for his younger teammates and tries to be a mentor for all of them; at practices, he often shares advice to the newer players on the team, hoping to motivate and encourage them.

“Something I hope gets remembered by me is that I’ve tried to give them life advice and be a mentor,” Caio said. “I hope they take my advice, with a grain of salt or not, and pass it on to their younger teammates, so they can keep the tradition going.”

This supportive nature extends to his academic life, where teachers notice how he helps his friends and classmates, making sure they receive the necessary assistance from the teacher. Math teacher Caren Furtado appreciates Caio’s willingness to provide assistance to those around him. 

“He always watches out for his friends,” Furtado said. “Over the years, every time any of his friends were absent or needed something, I could always just find Caio and say, ‘What’s going on with this student’? And he would explain to me what’s going on, or find the student for me so that I could then help out with anything that was required.”

Caio shows a strong commitment to working diligently toward his passions, investing the necessary time and effort to achieve his goals. However, he still maintains an open-minded approach, viewing new experiences as opportunities for growth and learning. Caio approaches every challenge with curiosity and a willingness to improve, and this adaptability is an important part of what makes him successful.

“I like to remember the phrase, ‘Screw it, we ball,’” Caio said. “Just go and do it, and take the risk. This year, I started to say ‘yes’ a bit more. Take it as just some different experiences. You want to be doing your thing. High school can be hard and stressful and boring, but now, since I’ve started following those things, I have a lot more fun now, and everything’s just become a lot more enjoyable.”