Ex-Tam High Water Polo Star Nabs Award

Mill Valley native and grad Aoife Duffy was named the 2011 Women's Collegiate Club Scholar-Athlete of the Year by the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) earlier this month, surprising few who followed the standout in her four years at Tam.

Duffy graduated from Dartmouth College in the spring, and preparing to go to law school next year. The award is the league’s highest honor bestowed on an active collegiate club player, recognizing an outstanding senior student-athlete who maintained at least a 3.25 GPA, achieved success in athletics and provided service to the community, according to the CWPA.

Tam High boys water polo coach Bob Kustel coached Duffy on the girls’ team one season and also watched her stellar swim career. Kustel called the former water polo team captain one of his favorite athletes in all his years at Tam.

“She swam the most grueling events - the 200 and 500 - and was as tough of a competitor as we've had at Tam,” Kustel said. “She was so tenacious in her races - even if she was behind near the end she had a way of grinding out victory after victory. Her work ethic was tremendous. I don't think she ever missed a workout.”

Kustel also called Duffy “so easy to coach and be around,” “popular with all her teammates and competitors” and “just a really great person, student, and athlete. I'm very happy for this success.”