Aliyah Cohen

For Aliyah Cohen, reaching the Division I level meant making a choice that most high schoolers would find daunting: moving 2,500 miles from her home in Coral Gables, Florida, to Southern Californiacompletely on her own.

Aliyah knew that while she was a standout in Florida, the “speed of thought” and physical demands of California water polo were the true benchmarks for collegiate success. She joined the 6-8 Academy with a singular focus: to transform from a regional star into a D1-ready athlete.

The Academy helped not only physically but also mentally develop my game. Physically, I got into the best shape of my life. I became faster in the pool and learned how to make smarter decisions quicker. My game IQ completely transformed after being at the Academy for only one year.

Aliyah Cohen

A Year of Transformation

During her year at the Academy, Aliyah didn’t just train; she evolved. The 6-8 platform provided the technical roadmap, but it was the mentorship of Tony Azevedo and Rico Chiapparelli that unlocked her mental game. Living and training independently at such a young age required a level of “mental toughness” that traditional club environments rarely demand. By the time she led Corona Del Mar High School to a CIF-SS Division I Championship, she was no longer just a fast swimmer, she was a high-IQ leader who could maintain composure under the highest pressure.

The 6-8 Platform

The 6-8 platform allowed Aliyah to document this transformation in real-time. Her metrics in speed and decision-making were logged on the 6-8 Mobile App, creating a verifiable data trail for collegiate scouts. When Bucknell University looked at her profile, they didn’t just see a talented player from Florida; they saw a battle-tested athlete who had already proven she could thrive in an , independent training environment.

Achieving The Dream

Now a standout at Bucknell, Aliyah reflects on the year that defined her career:

The thing that developed my game the most was working on mental toughness with Tony and Rico. Now I’m a D1 athlete and I feel prepared. I wouldn’t be where I am as an athlete or even as a person without my time training at the Academy.