Water polo is surging in popularity throughout Florida, with high schools increasingly adding the demanding aquatic sport to their athletic offerings. The combination of intense physical conditioning, strategic teamwork, and lifelong skills like water safety continues to attract student-athletes statewide.

Coached by Rachel Carnevale, the Lake Minneola-based program draws talent from multiple county schools—including East Ridge, South Lake, Pinecrest Lakes Prep, and Lake Minneola itself creating a collaborative, county-wide effort that maximizes opportunities for local athletes. With district playoffs approaching in early April, the Hawks are building momentum and aiming to solidify their place in Florida’s growing water polo landscape.

At the heart of the boys’ defensive efforts is freshman goalie Jackson Salter a standout performer whose talents have already propelled him onto the national stage. The young goalie recently competed in the prestigious USA Water Polo Olympic Development Program (ODP) Boys National Championship in San Diego, California, an elite event that serves as a key pipeline for identifying future national team talent. This marked Jackson’s second consecutive year at the ODP Nationals.

Jackson maintains an impressive 4.28 weighted GPA while excelling in the pool. He began his water polo journey three years ago after his swim coach, Alex Baxter, introduced him to the game. He honed his skills with the Orlando Thunder Water Polo club, practicing locally at the National Training Center in Clermont before joining Lake Minneola’s inaugural program.

“Coach Possell and Coach Linn at Orlando Thunder helped me learn the fundamentals and encouraged me to step into the goalie position,” Jackson says. “It felt like a natural fit once I tried it.”

His primary role models are his parents, who provide unwavering support and motivation, along with his coaches who instill lessons in focus, perseverance, and continuous improvement. “They always remind me to keep working hard and trust the process,” he explains. “Real progress doesn’t happen overnight, it takes consistent effort.”

Jackson’s personal highlight reel includes a memorable long-range goal scored directly from the goal cage, a rare feat for a goalkeeper in any sport but especially in water polo. But his favorite moments come from team success: “There’s nothing better than when the whole team locks in during a tough game and fights together to pull out a win. That shared effort is what makes it special.”

The ODP National Championship experience stands out as a career-defining trip. “Competing against the best young players from across the country was incredible,” Jackson says. “Learning from high-level coaches and having my family who live in the area there to cheer me on made it even more meaningful.” Jackson has more in his plans this upcoming year, including attending water polo camps in California to further sharpen his skills.

As a goalie, Jackson faces unique pressures. “The position demands quick recovery from mistakes, goals against can feel huge, especially in close games,” he says. “But water polo has taught me discipline, resilience, and how to stay mentally tough. You have to move on fast and keep your focus on the next play.”

While swimming athletes l in Lake County are plentiful, it’s not lost on Jackson that Lake Minneola High School serves as the lone hub for high school water polo in the county, entering just its second year with both boys and girls varsity programs.

Despite the program’s youth, the Hawks have shown impressive progress. Midway through the 2025-26 season, the boys team has a solid 7-4 overall record including a recent 22-15 win over Olympia High School and sits second in their district standings. The girls squad has been particularly dominant in non-district play, often securing double-digit victories en route to a strong start.

When I asked Jackson the advice he would give to young athletes looking to get into the sport, he says “Work hard every day, and don’t quit when things get tough. Water polo is challenging physically and mentally, but if you stay positive, keep practicing, and trust your training, you’ll see real improvement.”

Jackson and so many who are part of the Lake Minneola High water polo team continue to encourage local athletes to give the sport a try as they are hopeful Water Polo continues to take off in popularity much like Girls Flag-Football has in our area in recent years.

When he’s not competing in the pool, Jackson contributes to his community. He volunteers with Husky Haven of Florida, helping rescue and care for Siberian Huskies, and shares his knowledge by mentoring younger water polo athletes whenever possible.

Jackson also swims competitively for Lake Minneola High School during the fall season. In his free time, he enjoys hanging out with friends, playing video games, and traveling with family.

Jackson is proud to help shape Lake Minneola’s emerging program. “Being part of a second-year team that’s already improved so much is really exciting,” he says. “We’re building something from the ground up, representing our school, and helping grow the sport across Florida and right here in Lake County. I’m grateful to Lake Minneola High School and the county for creating this opportunity, it’s opened doors for me to compete at higher levels and chase bigger goals.”