The Daisy Water Polo Club was formed to encourage players who want to achieve their maximum individual potential in a team environment. We provide a well-organized club program for players ranging from elite, high-school age players, down to the middle-school age player who has just started in the sport. The workouts teach the athletes water polo techniques that can be used in age group, high school and college competition. Players learn the basic passing and shooting skills, as well as different styles of defense and offence. Workouts are structured to progress on a skill path where the more complex skills can easily be added to a foundation of knowledge as the player ages.

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History:

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Daisy Water Polo Club grew out of a group of water polo players that broke off from University City Water Polo Club in 1967. Don Casey was the first coach. Daisy began as a high- school age club and then grew into a full club with middle-school aged athletes up to senior players who graduated college. Daisy has been one of most competitive water polo clubs winning at both regional and national levels through the Junior Olympic tournaments. 

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Coaches:

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Don Casey (1967-Present)

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Coach first began paying water polo as a junior high player in 1958. Coach Casey played high school water polo at University City High School. He was the first non-Californian high school player to be selected first Team All American. Coach Casey then went on to play college water polo at Indiana University and was an All American player. In 1967, Coach Casey began the Daisey Water Polo Club. He was selected to participate in the olympic development camp in Colorado Springs from 1975- 1995. In 1994, he was selected to be the USA Junior National Pan-American team assistant coach in Puerto Rico where they won gold medal. Coach Casey also was the head coach at Mary Institute Country Day School (MICDS) from 1976 to 2022 where he won 12 Missouri State Championships. 

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Brett Walters (2020-Present)

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Coach Walters started playing water polo at Oakville High School in 2007. Coach Walters then went on to play water polo at University of Missouri - Columbia (Mizzou). He acted as club president from 2012-2014. Coach Walters began coaching water polo for Oakville High School in 2019 and still maintains the position at present. In 2022, the Oakville Girls Water Polo team became Missouri State Champions for the first time in the school's history. Alongside his position as Head Coach for Oakville Water Polo, Brett has coached for St. Louis Area Water Polo (SLAP), St. Louis Lions, Gateway Water Polo Club and Daisy Water Polo starting in 2020 to present. Coach Walters also was the Head USA Water Polo Midwest Cadet team coach in 2023-34 ODP Cycle and assistant youth coach in 2024-25. Coach Walters was named Missouri Water Polo Coach of the year in 2024. 

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Ben Pantazo 

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Hi, my name is Ben Pantazo and I'm attending Mizzou studying engineering. I started water polo my freshman year of high school and played all four years. I was a team captain every year and helped lead the team to a final four finish my senior year. I also have been swimming since I was in elementary school. I was blessed with many great coaches during my life and I aspire to give back and be a great coach for all who come to play at Daisy!

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Jake Pantazo ​

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My name is Jake Pantazo, and I’m a dedicated and driven athlete currently attending Ole Miss. I bring four years of competitive experience in water polo and the years in swimming, where I developed a strong work ethic and love for the sport. I qualified for state in swimming three consecutive years and finished 4th in the state for water polo my senior year. I also had the incredible opportunity to compete at the Junior Olympics for water polo.  Now, I’m excited to give back to the sport by coaching at Daisy Water Polo.  I'm looking forward to creating a competitive and constructive environment where players can thrive both in and out of the pool.

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Alexa Matoushek

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Hi, my name is Alexa Matoushek! I’ve just concluded my senior year at Oakville High School, helping lead our girls water polo team to finish 4th in the state! My swimming background extends almost my whole life and I discovered water polo during my freshman year of high school continuing on to play all four years. Over these four years, I’ve had so many awesome opportunities to play with people all over the country through countless tournaments, showcases, and Junior Olympics. I also have about a year of experience teaching swim lessons to kids of all ages and I’m excited to start a new chapter in coaching at Daisy!

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