Zeeland's Keaton Draeger tackling football - and 'big dudes can play water polo, too'
ZEELAND - Keaton Draeger was looking for something to keep him busy in the football offseason.
He found out he was a pretty good water polo goalie, one of the best in the state.
That was back when boys water polo was in the spring, originally moved to salvage a season during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Boys water polo is back in the fall, and Draeger had to decided what to do about football and water polo. As one of the top goalies, and one of the top linemen in West Michigan, it wasn't easy.
Ultimately, it was an easy decision, but the application of that decision has been hard. Draeger is playing both sports.
Yes, a starting offensive and defensive lineman in football is also playing water polo in the same season.
"Water polo was in the spring and I loved it so much I didn't want to give it up. I talked to my athletic director, and asked if I could do both - and I had good enough grades to do both. I have been playing both sports since I was little. Water polo is really underappreciate sport and I feel like big dudes can play water polo, too," Draeger said. "Thanks to my coaches for helping me do this. After football practice, I am pretty dead, but I feel like the water helps my joints with recovery."
Draeger has a two-plus hour football practice after school each day and then moves to the pool for water polo practice or matches.
"First thing is he has a motor that just doesn't quit. I don't think I have ever seen him tired, even coming from (two-a-days) to water polo and you wouldn't know it," Zeeland water polo coach Zac Geschwendt said. "He loves water polo and football and there is no way that you could keep him out of either one."
He is forced to miss a few Friday matches, but most matches are on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, allowing him to be an impact player for both teams.
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As a goalie, Draeger showcases his reflexes and strength and has led Zeeland to a strong season with the postseason looming.
"He is explosive as any goalie I have ever coached. He is not afraid to go after the ball. A lot of times you have guys who you have to teach to go to the ball, he will go after it no matter what," Geschwendt said. "He has figured out that balance of being aggressive but dialing it back when he needs to."
He has learned that as the starting goalie all four years for the water polo team and has become as big of a leader on the football team that is knocking on the door of the playoffs.
"Playing three water polo games the day after a football game is big. In football, our line has been buddies since I came here," Draeger said. "Winning a football game makes it easier to win a water polo game the next day. I like how it goes back to back. If something goes wrong, I can take out my anger on the other sport."
Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Zeeland's Keaton Draeger tackling football - and 'big dudes can play water polo, too'
