Francisco Vazquez: Playing for a Higher Purpose
- Oscar Pinto
- Sep 11
- 6 min read
by Oscar Pinto
For most athletes, the decision to choose a high school often comes down to a balance between sports and academics. For sophomore Francisco Vazquez, it comes down to more than just academics and sports. It came down to the core of his life: faith.
“My biggest role model is God,” said Francisco.
Francisco spent his last year of middle school at St. Timothys Catholic School, after spending most of his time in the public school system. For him, the opportunity to attend Columbus wasn't in his path, but it was put by God.
“Coming from a humble family, I always went to public school, and I never knew what Columbus was,” he said. “In my eighth-grade year, God decided to put me in a private school, St. Timothy, and that was when I found out what Columbus was.”
But his decision ultimately went beyond his faith. The other motive was his favorite sport: water polo.
“I chose Columbus over any other school because most of my friends were coming here for water polo, and also because of the religious service that Columbus provides,” Francisco said.
Still, Francisco’s path was not handed to him. To earn his place at Columbus, he had to prove himself on the team while also completing summer school. He believes God allowed him to attend Columbus, but it came with the work and discipline needed to shape him into the man he is today, starting with his sport.
Freshman Water Polo
Francisco's first water polo season at Columbus was not easy. Coaches said Francisco was given senior-level responsibility due to his experience. The pressure, he says, contributed to a rough start at the beginning of last season.
“My performance last season had a rough start, but with time, I gained more confidence and ended up being one of the top five players on the team,” said Francisco
Overall, Columbus finished a solid season, winning first place in the district, beating the undefeated ex-district champions Gulliver Prep, where Francisco ended up scoring the winning goal to secure Columbus the win.
But for Francisco, faith has always been intertwined with his life.
“Always before the game, I like to say a quote from a baseball player who is a devout Catholic, and I like to add to it with this prayer: ‘Dear God, take this, it’s a tough matchup. Just try to have fun. You take the shots, you take the passes, and most importantly, keep me safe, and let’s make this game great,'" he said. “That day, he did. He slotted my backhand right under the goalie’s arm.”
Francisco finished with 32 goals and 18 assists, contributing to more than 50 scores this season. Francisco averaged 2 goals per game and had over 10 steals this season.
The program had a record-breaking season, winning the Greater Miami Athletic Conference (GMAC) championship for the first time in school history. The team clinched a final win against MAST Academy in the GMAC championship and a win against Gulliver in districts.
Francisco said, “The team absolutely played to their fullest, and we were able to take the GMC trophy from Mast Academy and the district trophy from Gulliver Prep.”
Junior Olympics
And his dedication to water polo carried into the summer.
Francisco’s dedication to water polo continued with preparation for the Junior Olympics. The Junior Olympics is one of the largest water polo tournaments in the country, where top teams compete.
Before playing in Junior Olympics, Francisco endured a hard and rigorous training schedule throughout the summer, lifting every Monday and Wednesday at the gym at 9-11 a.m., paired with afternoon practice every day from 5-8. Every week, Francisco was training over 20 hours weekly to prepare for the Junior Olympics.
“Hard work in the gym and full dedication to swimming and technique allowed me to play to my 110% at Junior Olympics,” he said
Francisco played with Gladiators, a club team composed of Columbus players, where Francisco had the chance to prove himself against some of the best players in the country. Supporters noted his success came not just from hard work but also talent.
Francisco said, “God just gave me the strength to overcome their playstyle and allowed me to be probably the most dominant Whole Set in the tournament.”
His mother, one of the most important people in his life, was more than proud, but at the same time, she was surprised after seeing the competition her son had to deal with, playing against some of the best players in the country, and winning a national tournament is not the easiest.
“When he received the MVP award, I wasn't aware of what they were giving him due to my lack of knowledge. I realized it was something great, because everyone was very happy. I also thought…many others have played like him, and that's why I didn't visualize it, and without a doubt, all for the glory of God. ” Heidi Vazquez said
In the finals, it was the team's most complicated game, where individual talent had to stand out. This is where Francisco played the biggest role in the final, leading the team in scoring four goals, which led to the Gladiators' final push to become Junior Olympic Champions.
Coach Manolo
If there was one person who was responsible for Francisco’s success, it would be his coach and mentor, Manolo. Coach Manolo guided Francisco through many difficulties in life and in the sport. Manolo has been a big influence on Francisco.
Francisco said, “Manolo has been a great coach and has allowed me to participate in many tournaments, and I've seen an increase in my ability...So it's a big thank you for Manolo.”
Manolo taught Francisco great life lessons. One of the greatest lessons Francisco learned from Manolo and uses in his day-to-day life was to accept and to get better the next time something happens.
“He’s taught me to be calm and accept whatever it is that's happening and be better whenever the time comes around again,” Francisco said.
Manolo’s guidance, Francisco said, helped him achieve success. He is in the process of making school history, hopefully bringing the school its first water polo state championship.
Faith
Faith is part of Francisco's core. It’s what drives him to be better every day and to grow every day. According to Francisco, God has shaped his journey as a water polo player.
“My faith has brought me a long way throughout my time playing water polo. Whenever I score a goal or I make a play, I always point up with my finger and say “Thank you God” because it's only He that allows me to do it,'" he said.
God has also driven Francisco as a person, he says. With God at his core, supporters describe Francisco as “unstoppable.”
Francisco said, “Yes, without God giving me strength, I don't think I could be the person that I am.”
His main guide through religion is powered and taught by his Mother, who, since Francisco was very little, was gifted with the faith of God, and Francisco’s mother developed that faith in the holy spirit and God over time.
“Spirituality is something that people accept, but it is also something that the family develops. Francisco was born with the gift of spirituality, and his grandmother realized it over time and developed it,” Heidi said.
The Future
This season at Columbus is going to be a little more complicated, Francisco says. Columbus is going to be playing with two seniors, and the team is mostly composed of Juniors and Sophomores, which at the high school level is a big difference in playing players who are two to three years older.
“It's going to be rough this year, but I think we can do better than last year,” Francisco said.
Francisco is playing at a very high level for only being a sophomore who just turned 15. Francisco has a great chance of playing at the college level with D1 schools, which is a big dream of his in water polo.
He said, “I do see myself playing at the college level. If I keep working hard and putting my full commitment to water polo, I think I can make it really far.”
But despite his athletic ability, he still credits his progress to where God takes him.
“I think I can go pretty far in my water polo career wherever God takes me. That’s where I’m going,” he said.
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