March in lock-step with goal

The pain was there, coursing through him that morning in New York.

Michael March barely knew how to react. He woke up to agony and life would never be the same.

A little more than 14 months ago, March, a former Corona del Mar High water polo standout, seemed destined for greatness in his sport. But it all ended that morning in New York, when the pain shot through him and woke him up.

A ruptured disc in his back left him unable to play in the FINA world championships. So, then there was also ache in his heart. You would think he would have cursed that day, that morning. But he has learned from it and applied the lessons to his new life.

Putting the pieces back together, he has now returned and, though his goals are different, his passion for the game has remained. Actually, it has intensified.

He built up a unique type of motivation, while sitting out the year as a redshirt at UCLA. The season before the injury, he was a big part of the Bruins’ NCAA championship. But then he had to be away from the game, and just watch, wondering what he could have done to help UCLA defend its title.

“Looking back, I’m almost glad I went through all of it,” said March, whose back went out in New York three days before the USA water polo team would compete in Montreal in July of 2005. “It made me realize how much I love water polo.”

March still traveled with the national team to Montreal and tried to convince himself he could somehow overcome the injury.

But the pain became overwhelming. As he packed his bags for the airport, he had to crawl to and from his suitcase.

“I was being rolled around in a wheelchair at the airport,” March said. “The hardest thing was coming back to school and having to go to UCLA games. It was difficult sitting there and not being able to contribute.”

March felt pain in his legs, too, when he was in Montreal. Doctors told him a disc ruptured and because the disc expanded it was pinching against a nerve on his spinal cord. He had to have surgery and eventually go through rehabilitation.

In the back of his mind, he envisioned himself playing for the Bruins once again.

But it would be very difficult to recapture the level he had been playing at because of the injury. March had been at the top of his game prior to being hurt.

He was starting for the national team. His size, 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, made him imposing on defense. And, he’s definitely a contributor on offense, keeping defenses off balance because he is left-handed.

But, after the injury, he was hardly the same. Yet that was the challenge for him: to return to form.

This season with the Bruins, he is once again a starter and also a leader for a team that seems to always be an NCAA title contender. The Bruins are ranked third in the nation.

“I have more of a leadership role,” said March, who is a defender for UCLA. “Before, I just went to games and played my best. But, now, there is also the pressure to be the leader and to be a role model on the team.”

March has been fulfilling his role and his story has brought inspiration to his teammates.

“He has many roles within the team, but, first and foremost, he is one of our most experienced players,” UCLA Coach Adam Krikorian said. “Because of that, he is one of our captains and he has a large leadership role.”

March also does his part to maintain unity on the squad.

Before the Bruins’ game Saturday at UC Irvine, March’s teammates hung out at his parents’ home, where they played Ping-Pong.

Then, they went and beat UCI, 15-4.

March, who led CdM to CIF Southern Section titles in 2000 and 2001, said he enjoyed coming back home last week. He remains in close touch with his parents, Dave and Laurie.

They’ve seen their son change and grow throughout the past year and have been proud of his resolve. March still battles back pain, though it is not as severe as before.

“When he got back in the water (after the rehab) it was just a great day,” Dave March said. “He was thrilled and you could see he got his identity back and his personality back.”

This season with the Bruins, Michael March is assuredly at ease. He is a fifth-year senior who already has an undergraduate degree in political science.

He is driven, Krikorian said, to help the Bruins win another NCAA crown.

“He’s one of the best defenders in the country and he has a powerful left-handed shot that is deceptive and tough for goalies to handle.

“I’ve never seen someone as determined to accomplish what he puts his mind to as Mike. When he decided to try to get healthy and play again, he was very determined. Now, he’s determined to win another championship. With that kind of determination, he puts us all closer to that goal.”