By Staff Writer Jennifer Fortman

As a three-sport athlete and as the current student government president, senior Luke Landiak is a busy senior here at Naperville North. However, Landiak took the time to talk to “The North Star” about his athletic career. He is one of the captains on the boys varsity water polo team, and he plays center defender.

Q: What is the best thing about water polo?

A: The best thing about water polo is definitely the team camaraderie. Waking up at 5 a.m. with these boys is a struggle, but just blasting music in the locker room and post game [helps]. We have a theme song.

Q: What is the worst thing about water polo?

A: The worst thing is 5:30 a.m. swim sessions. Nobody on the team likes being wet so that makes 5:30 a.m. a rude awakening.

Q: What’s the biggest contribution you make to your team?

A: Personally, I’m the center defender. With defense, I make sure that [the other team] can’t get it into their main offensive player so that is my personal contribution. Besides that, on offense, I kind of play like a point guard role to set up the offense, but I’m not really a big goal-scorer.

Q: How have you evolved as an athlete throughout the years?

A: Just working in the offseason like all summer and playing soccer and wrestling has definitely helped me. I guess being a three sport athlete always keeps me active so I’m never technically out of shape.

Q: What coaches or mentors have inspired you throughout your career?

A: In my water polo career, I’d start off with my brother, Nick Landiak. He played water polo. Also, John Blumthal- he coached here a couple of years ago, and he is a big inspiration. And now Martin Bell is helping us out. All three of those guys are a big help in my water polo career.