When Katie Delaney stepped onto Stevenson’s campus as a freshman, she hadn’t even dabbled in water polo.

“I did swim freshman year, and I wasn’t even sure if I wanted to do that,” she recalled.

But Delaney was encouraged to give a new sport a shot.

“A lot of upperclassmen were like, ‘You should try out for water polo,’” she said. “So I went to a few practices. I wasn’t very good.”

Well, Delaney can’t say that anymore. The Michigan recruit is a two-time all-state goalkeeper after making 11 saves in Stevenson’s 11-5 win against Mother McAuley in the state championship game in Lincolnshire on May 20.

“I’ve been coaching water polo for 34 years,” Stevenson coach Jeff Wimer said. “She is the most gifted athlete I’ve had in my entire career.”

In the state championship game in boys water polo, also played May 20, New Trier defeated Stevenson 10-6 for its second straight title.

Delaney’s rise to stardom in the sport is particularly notable for a figure skater who had no experience in water polo before high school. She guided Stevenson to the fifth title in program history by not only protecting her goal with historic precision but also leading the Patriots in assists and ranking second in steals.

“That’s unheard of for a goalie,” Wimer said.

Yet Delaney doesn’t seem convinced about her level of play.

“It still doesn’t feel like I’m that great,” she said. “I get impostor syndrome a lot. Am I really this person?”

Growing up, Delaney thrived on the ice, not in the pool. She has been figure skating since she was 3 years old.

“I saw skating in the Olympics and was like, ‘Mom, I want to do that,’” she said.

Delaney took private lessons and performed in various ice shows. But as skaters around her ramped it up, Delaney said she outgrew the sport.

“Figure skaters are pretty dainty and light, and I’m a little muscular,” she said.

Delaney stopped pursuing skating competitively but has kept her feet on the ice, skating in her free time and even being part of Stevenson’s ice skating team.

By Delaney’s sophomore year, water polo was rapidly emerging as her magnum opus. Wimer assigned his blossoming star to double duty: Delaney was a starter for Stevenson’s junior varsity team and a backup for the varsity team. A year later, she was Stevenson’s top goalkeeper.

“Spring season of my junior year, I felt ready,” she said.

When that season began, Wimer noticed something unique developing.

“I remember her making some blocks, and I turned to my assistant coach and said, ‘She’s the greatest goalie we’ve ever had,’” Wimer said.

Delaney earned all-state honors as a junior, when Stevenson lost to Naperville North in the state championship game, and she committed to Michigan earlier this spring.

Among Delaney’s best friends on the team is senior Caitlyn Liu, who will attend Michigan with Delaney. Liu calls Delaney’s rise “insane.”

“It’s been crazy seeing her progress over these four years,” Liu said. “People don’t understand how smart you have to be to be in goal, and she’s so smart.”

For opponents, Delaney is a menace in the goal, but she said she’s a “huge softy.” She cites her love for stuffed animals and music. She plays the French horn in Stevenson’s band.

“A lot of people are really scared of me,” Delaney said. “I have a lot of friends who once thought I’m really scary. But I love soft things.”

Delaney has maintained a GPA above 4.0 and, Liu said, remains a confidant to her friends.

“She’s someone who people can go to when they need help,” Liu said. “People trust her a lot.”

As she graduates, Delaney is nothing like the 14-year-old who first met Wimer, he said.

“I’ve watched this young lady grow up from a young kid,” Wimer said. “I’m really proud of her.”

Delaney allowed herself a moment of pride too.

“It’s still surreal,” she said. “I feel really proud of myself.”

Sam Brief is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.