Faces In The Crowd: Ethan Parrish of Stanford Water Polo
New York City is a crossroad for individuals from all walks of life. So, it should come as little surprise that one of top players from Stanford men’s water polo team would not only be here on a summer break, he’d be industrious enough to ferret out a place to play.
Ethan Parrish (10 goals, 2 assists in 2021) is going into his sophomore year on John Vargas’ squad, and big things will be expected of him this fall. A valued contributor on a Cardinal squad that finished 6-4 (3-3 MPSF) in tan abbreviated season, Parrish is also a legacy; his brother Blake played polo for Stanford from 2015 – 18.
I caught up with him just outside the Asphalt Green pool on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, where he was going to scrimmage with the local masters’ club and get wet during a brief stay in NYC.
- How did you end up playing water polo in New York City this summer?
Isabel Blum, my girlfriend, lives in the city. I stumbled upon Asphalt Green because I Googled it.
- You picked the best water in New York City. What brings you here?
I’m just in town for vacation. I start training June 21st.
- That seems kind of early to get back in the pool…
We’re allowed to train over the summer because we’re a fall sport. It’s like our preseason, so we have that summer period to train. It’s super nice.
Water polo action at the Asphalt Green pool in New York City. Photo: M. Randazzo
- You need that! Last year was so difficult it’s hard to describe.
It was a very strange year. It was my first year in college and it was tedious because we didn't know if we were going to have a season or not. Thank goodness we were able to have a season and a national championship.
It was a year of uncertainty.
- Stanford won in 2019 but then you skipped the entire 2020 season because of COVID-19. How important was it for you and your teammates to get in the water and defend your NCAA title?
It was not fun to lose in our first game (in the NCAA tournament) but this whole year was a testament to our team. Because Stanford had its own regulations, we weren’t allowed to play until the second weekend of play. We were a weekend behind.
We had less time to prepare and we couldn’t do contact until the university let us.
That first weekend was rocky; we went 1-2. We beat USC in the first game then lost to UCLA and Cal. We lost to UCLA the next weekend but ended up winning MPSF—it was one of the first times anyone’s won it three times in a row.
- There must be a great deal of Cardinal pride for Ben Hallock winning a Champions’ League cup with Pro Recco.
Ben is not only one of the most talented players but one of the best people I’ve ever met. My brother was on the team before, so he has a much closer relationship with Ben.
There’s a couple of guys training with the senior national team right now—Ben, Tyler (Abramson), Bennett (Williams) and Dylan (Woodhead). We also have Alex Bowen…
- Being in New York City must provide a contrast to living in California and going to school at Stanford.
I’m from Santa Barbara, a very small, beach town. So I’m not used to big city life, I’ve only been to New York once before this, in seventh grade. Before that, I’ve been to [Los Angeles] before but nothing like this.
To be able to take in New York is a big change. But, it’s really cool and a great experience. I am super stoked to be here.
- You’ll be back in the fall…
We just got our schedule for the upcoming year. We have the Bruno Classic [at Brown University], and I believe we play Navy at some point. I’m excited to have a full season and get in the water with my guys—that will be a really fun experience.
- After a stint in the AG pool with their masters athletes, what’s your impression?
It was a great experience and I’m just really grateful to have been able to train and get some competing in. I was impressed with the facilities and I’m looking forward to playing again when I’m back in the city.