Jackson Powell is exactly who you want defending your cage.
Powell, a senior, three-year starter at goalie on the Lafayette water polo team, is a massive man.
At six-foot-seven, a biscuit under 280-pounds, and arms the length of roads, he is putting the squeeze on shots and putting the finishing touches on an notable career in the pool.
He was the school’s all-time saves leader before the 2010 season even started. This year, he has led the area all season in saves and entered the week with 278.
While the Lancers have been scattered offensively, the power of Powell’s consistency has kept the season from being a disaster.
“He can single-handily keep us in a game,” Lafayette coach Jamie Waeckerle said. “If we are stalling a little bit offensively, he can keep us in it long enough to try and make a move.”
Powell has proven that intimidation can be a friend.
“If I get big, I make them think, ‘I can’t get it over this guy,’” he said. “The best shot to block is the shot they don’t take.”
Powell wears his heart and emotions on his bare arm.
A hot-blooded competitor, there’s been no denying his leadership.
“He’s definitely our rallying call guy,” Waeckerle said. “He gets everybody fired up and motivated.
“He is a very emotional player. That can work to his advantage. There is a lot of times he can step up and be a force out there.”
He played CYC basketball for St. Albans in the past but got into water polo on a simple suggestion from his brother’s friend, freshman year.
“It doesn’t sound inspiring,” Powell said.
He already had a knack for treading and well adept at egg-beating.
Last year, Powell was on easy street. He could sit in the backseat and watch while the eight-senior deep 2009 team went 19-11.
Now, he and classmates Tim Flavin and Taylor Foye have had to take charge.
The Lancers, who are 8-14 overall and 3-3 in Suburban West Conference play, close out the season with two tough opponents including Oakville on Wednesday and Parkway North on May 4.
“We really have to bust it and make sure we have some good outings,” Powell said. “We need to go into districts with a mid-seed and then we can do what Kirkwood did last year. They went (to the) final four and were a seven or eight seed.”
