Rivalries run deep, and Sean Kern’s favorite memories of high school center around the water polo games between Punahou and ‘Iolani.
“The rivalry, the crowd, the atmosphere – it was all very intense,” Kern said. “There are not many times in life when one can boil down an entire year’s worth of training into one game. It is in those do-or-die moments when you really know who you are and how you perform under pressure.”
Kern was the epitome of successfully performing under pressure. The three-time ILH Player of the Year led Punahou to three ILH titles. He excelled in swimming as well, utilizing state-champion capabilities in the backstroke to aid him in water polo, allowing him to keep an eye on the play without losing any speed.
He set the state record in the 100-yard backstroke as a senior, when he also received the C. Dudley Pratt Award.
At UCLA, Kern was a four-time All-American and two-time National Player of the Year, leading the Bruins to two national titles. He was also a member of the U.S. National Team and played in the Sydney Olympics.