Athlete of the Week: Sandburg's Capouch Reaching Her Goals

Tara Capouch scored five goals to help lead Sandburg’s girls water polo team to over Lincoln-Way East on Tuesday. Even more impressive is that all five of those goals came in one period of play.

What’s more, Capouch’s five goals were assisted by Jamie Pappanastos. The two combine frequently, and they’ve helped the Eagles to an overall record of 20-5 and a 9-2 mark in the SWSC Blue.

"She had five goals, and part of that is using her talents,” Sandburg coach Jane Caliendo said of Capouch. “She's the fastest swimmer on the team. She uses that speed to anticipate calls, and she gets open."

Capouch, a junior, showed that speed last fall by earning a medal at last fall's state swim meet, finishing ninth in the 200-yard freestyle.

"Whenever you get a shot and have opportunity to take it … I had them," Capouch said of her five-goal game. "We could be really good, and I think we have a chance to go to state if we stay out of a slump."

In recognition of her performance, Capouch is Patch's Athlete of the Week.

Caliendo pushes Capouch to be her best, and she’s seeing the payoff.

"I'm hard on Tara because she has no idea what kind of player she could be,” Caliendo said. “Slowly but surely, she's gaining more confidence to reach her potential.”