Liam MacNeil is used to being around the water. The Pioneer senior is a standout water polo player and swimmer who has competed at the highest level of both sports during his high school career.
And while many student-athletes grow up around the water, MacNeil has taken that to another level, and not because he wants to someday be a Marine Biologist (and not a fake one like George Costanza). You see, his parents actually live on the water – in a sailboat (and not a fake one like Quincy).
“Yeah, my mom and stepdad are on the boat that is currently docked in Maryland right now while they make their way down south towards Florida,” says MacNeil. “I don’t live on the boat right now because of waterpolo season but once the season is over I will move down to the boat while continuing school virtually to live on the boat and hopefully help with my marine biology career and future.”
He says living on a boat requires certain “responsibilities.”
“With my parents living on a boat, a lot of responsibilities I usually wouldn’t have to worry about become a common occurrence throughout my day to day activities,” he says. “I like to think that transfers to waterpolo with my ability to lead and handle things other players in the water might not be able to.”
Now that’s a nice segue.
MacNeil was an All-State water polo player last year for Dexter who transferred to Pioneer for his senior year. He currently plays center defender for the Pioneers. “Playing defense right in front of the goal allows me to get a lot more shot blocks than a lot of other people,” he says.
So far, so good for the talented Pioneers.
“The season is going great,” he says “We have only lost one game against a Michigan team, losing to an Ohio team a few times. The team chemistry is great and there is never any hate which is why we all work together so well.”
MacNeil and the Pioneers have only one goal this year.
“Our team goal this year is to go win a state title, and not only win a state title for Pioneer, but also for the east side of the state,” he says. “To win we need to focus on ourselves and realize we are working towards states not the next upcoming game, so scores don’t matter, how you play does.”
Liam, 17, the son of Emily Edgcombe and Mike MacNeil, also swam last year at Dexter, qualifying for the D-2 state finals in the 500 free and 200 IM. He placed 22nd in both the 500 free (5:00.15) and IM (2:05.04) at the State Finals for the Dreadnaughts.
MacNeil followed his family path to water polo.
“I have three siblings, an older brother, younger brother, and an older sister,” he says. “As a kid I watched both my brother and sister play all four years each which made me want to get in and also play.”
And now he’s playing at the highest level hoping to help his new team achieve the highest level with a state title.
