Lauren Steele

Lauren Steele always had “big dreams,” the kind that involve Olympic rings and National Championship rings. Growing up in the competitive athletic environment of Greenwich, CT, Lauren was a standout, but she recognized a fundamental truth of the sport: if she wanted to play for the U.S. National Team, she needed to be in the “epicenter” of Southern California water polo.

What was supposed to be a three-month trial in California turned into a two-and-a-half-year journey of transformation. Lauren didn’t just move to California; she moved into the heart of the 6-8 Academy, and it changed everything.

The “Nitty-Gritty” of The Game

At the Academy, Lauren found an environment where she could move beyond just playing and start mastering the sport. The pressure-free training environment allowed her to experiment with new techniques that she would later implement with her high school and club teams.

I remember having conversations with Tony and talking through the nitty-gritty details, understanding why we do things. What’s the best way to attack an M-zone? What’s the best way to block a specific shot? Getting that advice directly from legends like Tony, Maggie, and Rico was incredible.

Lauren Steele

Leadership Through The Showcase

For Lauren, the 6-8 Showcases were a laboratory for leadership. Being placed on a team with athletes from all over the country, many of whom she had just met, forced her to develop the skills necessary to win regardless of the roster.

It teaches you leadership skills. How are you going to be able to win no matter who is on your team? You have to figure out the best way to play together instantly. Plus, as a young athlete in high school, getting that direct exposure and being able to talk to college coaches was vital for my journey.

Data As A Career Compass

Even now, as an collegiate athlete, Lauren continues to use the 6-8 Mobile App as her primary resource for performance analysis. The “baseline” she established at the Academy remains the standard she holds herself to today.

It’s a great resource to check where my baseline is. After a game in college, I’ll check the app to see how our team did on the 6-on-5 or how I was able to impact the game. Having those stats right on your phone is a game-changer.

The Result: A Bruin Powerhouse

Lauren’s commitment to the Academy’s “high-intensity training” paid off. She is now a standout Goalkeeper for the UCLA Bruins, having made an immediate impact as a freshman. Her resume is a testament to the “6-8 way”: a CIF-SS Open Division Champion, a Junior National Team standout, and a consistent presence on the ACWPC All-Academic list.

I’ve made so many lifelong friends here, girls I now play with or against in college. I never wanted those Friday scrimmage days to end. 6-8 gave me the outline of what I wanted my career to look like, and then it helped me go out and build it.

Lauren Steele