Ariel Brenner

Sports Editor

Milken’s varsity water polo team has benefited greatly from the membership of Elon Zlotnik ’12, one of the school’s elite student athletes.

First introduced to water polo in his seventh grade PE class, Zlotnik has developed a love for the sport, particularly enjoying the physicality juxtaposed with the camaraderie of the sport.

“I love how, during the game, you play as hard as you can, but at the end of the game you shake hands, and there is a great feeling of sportsmanship,” Zlotnik said. “Water polo is also different from any other sport; it comes much easier to me. I’m horrible on land.”

Last year, Zlotnik scored a total of 67 goals during the season, 69 including CIF.  Despite his incredible personal feat, Zlotnik is a team player.

“It’s not so much about being a scorer as trying to bring the whole offense of the team up,” he said.

In addition to going to CIF with Milken last year, Zlotnik is a member of two teams in the Los Angeles Water Polo Club: the 18 and under club and the 16 and under Iron Man team, the highest level in high school clubs.

In terms of his personal goals, Zlotnik hopes to play either on a college club team or at a Division II or III school.

“Water polo is a big part of my life, so I’ll see how far it can take me,” Zlotnik said.