8th-Grade Water Polo Player Makes Development National Team

Alaina Cousineau swims like a fish and plays likes a champ.

Last month, the San Clemente eighth grade student made the USA Water Polo’s Women’s Development National Team.

Cousineau, who attends , is among 28 water polo players across the nation, 8th grade and under, selected for the honor.

For some, the team is considered a stepping stone on the path to one day becoming member of the USA Water Polo Team.

Cousineau, 14, made the team over Memorial Day weekend. 

“I was ecstatic to hear my name,” Cousineau said. “All my hard work had finally paid off. … It was worth dealing with the pain."

Cousineau, who says she loves the sport, has been swimming since she was two years old, and she started playing water polo when she was four. 

Her ultimate goal is to make it to the Olympics.

And if that happens?

She says she'll know that "every dream I could have had, every wish, finally worked out."

Cousineau plans to attend  in the fall.