Rise up: Ayala HS senior, swimmer Ben Trull shares his secret to success
CHINO HILLS, Calif. — “You have to want to win.”
These words echo in Ayala senior Benjamin Trull’s head every time he jumps in the pool for a game. His coach, Kevin Hammond, gave him this advice years ago, and this mentality is now a part of who he is as a leader both in and out of the water.
Ben joins us this month as a four-year aquatics athlete from Ayala High School where he currently serves as captain of both the men’s water polo and swim teams. His goal this year is simple: be the best he can possibly be.
He moved to Chino Hills when he was just a wide-eyed one-year-old, along with his mom, Leneyde, dad Stephen, and older brother Eduardo. A few years later, his younger brother Marcus came along, and they’ve had years of fun playing in the local soccer and baseball leagues, while enjoying their beautiful home here in Chino Hills. As Ben got older, he found his love for the water in swimming in his backyard pool and surfing at the beach. Nowadays, he tries to get out on the ocean to catch some waves as often as he can.
Growing up, Ben remembers hearing about and watching his older brother, a Chino Hills High alumni, dominate in water polo games during his days as a husky. When it was Ben’s turn to choose a high school sport, he decided to go the same route, but at the other school in town.
A light-hearted and driven guy, Ben uses these personality traits to find success in the pool. “I don’t like to dwell in the past or on the negative. I would rather focus on the future and make sure I am getting better always.”
Controlling the position of wing, Ben drives through the defense, passes the ball to the set position, and makes outside shots. “In short, I move the ball toward the goal and pass it to center inside. If that’s not working, I take the shot from the outside. There’s a lot of movement involved, and I get to take shots at the goal.”
For anyone unfamiliar with the game, water polo is a fast-paced, high endurance sport. The players are not standing on the bottom of the shallow end. They are constantly treading and swimming in deep water while trying to get around the opposition, control the ball and move it up the pool to score. It can be pretty brutal out there sometimes with players pulling you under the water and pushing you down to try to get the ball to go their way. You have to be fit, tough, and ready for quick transitions.
Ben’s favorite part about playing water polo is when he scores. “It’s an awesome feeling!”
To handle the extreme physical demands, Ben paces himself so he is able to stay in the game and make an impact. “If my coach sees that I’m tired, he will sub me out, so I try not to let that happen.”
After his fall season, Ben goes to the gym to lift weights and swims as much as he can to keep his fitness level up in preparation for his spring swim season. “I also eat a lot, and make sure to include lots of protein in my meals. I’ve gotten very comfortable making chicken in the air fryer.”
Ben swims the 50-meter dash in freestyle and the 100-meter breast stroke for the men’s swim team.
He also works for Chino Hills Aquatics in his free time teaching kids how to swim. Be sure to say hi to him if you see him there!
As he plans for his future, Ben wants to continue maximizing his playing time, “I plan to attend Mt. San Antonio College first and then transfer to a four-year college. That way I can play water polo all four years, rather than dealing with the possibility of being a second stringer for my freshman year.”
Ben likes learning about how muscles work and is hoping to study physiology or anatomy at a higher level.
He is also interested in pursuing a business degree in hopes of one day opening his own gym and designing a fitness clothing brand. Being a leader on a team and working closely with others on a path to success will surely help him along this road, or whatever route he ultimately chooses.
We are often reminded that sports are so much more than just a game. They give kids and adults alike the chance to take risks, make mistakes, dust themselves off and try again. They teach grit, determination, heartbreak and joy. They allow you to reinvent yourself, or sometimes, they reveal who you were always meant to be.
No matter where you go or what you do, like Ben Trull, remember to just keep swimming.
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