Following in the footsteps of their older brother, sisters Brisa and Katherine Chajan find competitive joy in the roughness and toughness of water polo during their first year on the team. 

“I saw (him) playing water polo and it looked fun, and he can also help me with things I need if I have trouble with anything,” winger Brisa said.

The Birmingham Community Charter High School (BCCHS) girls water polo team saw great success this year. On Feb. 16, they won the Los Angeles CIF Water Polo Championship for Division I with a score of 19-11 against Palisades Charter High School. 

“It was a big accomplishment for all of us because the team we went up against was really intimidating to us at first, but after we won, we felt really proud of ourselves,” Katherine said. 

Leading up to the championship, there was a lot of nervousness against the opposing team, as Palisades showed their strength in climbing up the ranks with a win/loss score of 14-6 and a record of 7-0 in the Western/Marine League. Additionally, Palisades had an average score of 14-6 for the season, as well as having defeated the Patriots before in 2015. 

Taking place at the Los Angeles Valley College, as the scoreboard crept higher, both Chajan sisters grew more confident in their team’s secured victory during the city finals. When the final goal was made, the Patriots were already ahead by multiple points. 

“We already knew that we were going to win because we had a few more points than them,” Brisa said. “So when I saw the last point, I thought ‘Okay, this is it, we’re actually winning this year, and I’m part of it.’” 

Being on the team together, the sisters are able to support one another if anything goes wrong. 

“If somehow I’m just not feeling it at sports, or I’m just not having a good day…I just know that (Brisa) is there, so I can talk to her afterward,” goalie Katherine said.  “I just like having her there while I’m doing the sport, so I can ask her if I need anything or if I need help.” 

After winning the LA CIF Championship, the BCCHS Patriots were able to advance to the CIF SoCal Girls Water Polo Championship where they defeated Jurupa Valley High School with a score of 18-6 on Feb. 21 at Jurupa Valley HS. Following this, they lost their next game against Mt. Carmel High School at Rancho Bernardo High School with a score of 8-9 on Feb. 23, therefore losing their chance at winning Regionals this year. However, BCCHS ended overall with a win/loss score of 22-11 and a record of 7-0 in the West Valley League, placing first in the league.

While the water polo season is over, the swimming season is just getting started. They will walk in with their heads held high and train for the next big event.