Daily Pilot Athlete of the Week, Katherine Belden: Calculated

behavior

Barry Faulkner

Katherine Belden admits mathematics is her least favorite subject.

So, the Newport Harbor High junior water polo standout’s intolerance for

numbers compiled by opposing scorers, well, figures.

The featured defender on one of the stingiest girls teams in the CIF

Southern Section, Belden deals mostly in subtraction, often nullifying

the most prolific of foes.

With Belden defending at two meters, the Sailors surrendered just two

combined goals the final two games of last week’s Holiday Cup Tournament

(a mere 14 goals in five tournament wins, including a 9-1 title-game rout

of Santa Barbara Dec. 30 at the Sailors’ pool).

“I thought we played very well, defensively, and Katherine leads our

defense,” Newport Harbor Co-Coach Bill Barnett said.

Belden’s defensive prowess included 10 steals in a 5-1 semifinal win

over Santa Margarita. She also scored eight goals in the tournament to

earn Daily Pilot Athlete of the Week recognition.

“My role this year is the same as it has been all along,” said the

third-year varsity starter, who was third-team All-CIF Southern Section

for the 1999 Division I champions as a freshman, then second-team All-CIF

as a sophomore. “And that’s defense.”

Though not imposing physically (5-foot-9, 130 pounds), nor blessed

with elite speed, Belden’s biggest attribute rests above her shoulders.

“She’s really smart,” summed up Barnett, a two-time men’s national

team coach whose experience helps him appreciate a high aquatic IQ.

“She’s very good at knowing what the other girl is trying to do, and

knowing the correct way to go about stopping her.”

Belden’s intelligence, reflected by her 4.2 grade-point average, as

well as recruiting interest from Stanford and UCLA, was, ironically, an

early stumbling block to her polo career.

Though growing up in an aquatic family (brother Peter, a senior, was

CIF Division I Player of the Year for the Tars’ section champion boys

team last fall), she took awhile before diving in.

“I dabbled with the swim team at the Balboa Bay Club, but I was kind

of lazy when I was little,” she said. “I was a little nerd, who liked to

sit around at home and read a lot. It was Peter who finally motivated me

to play.”

Her brother motivates her still. She also has learned techniques

watching him and the rest of the Newport boys team play.

Belden said she believes the sport is 90% mental, but not all that has

to do with intelligence. She also cites concentration, focus and

confidence as vital parts of her package.

“I try to focus on the game I’m playing and the girls I’m defending,”

she said. “You don’t want to get too cocky, but you have to have

confidence. I like to think I’ll be able to stop the better players. Even

when that’s not possible, you have to think that way to give yourself

confidence.”

Modesty factors in, as well.

“I think our defense has come together,” she said. “It’s not just one

person.”

Specifically, Belden cites patience and finesse as her primary weapons

in the hole (the area designated for the two-meter set). “You can’t go

conking the girl the girl in the head,” she said with a laugh. “I use my

brain.”

In addition to helping shut down offenses, Belden rounds out a

balanced offensive attack.

“She really has a good outside shot,” said Barnett, who saw Belden

collect two goals, four assists and four steals against Santa Barbara.

“And she’s one of our secondary setters.”

Belden said she likes to create most of her offensive chances on

counterattacks.

Leadership is yet another quality she brings to the squad, according

to her coach.

“She has good relationships with all the girls, which helps keep the

team together,” Barnett said.