Aliyah Cohen

Aliyah knew that while she was a standout in Florida, the "speed of thought" and physical demands of California water polo were the true benchmarks for collegiate success. She joined the 6-8 Academy with a singular focus: to transform from a regional star into a D1-ready athlete.

During her year at the Academy, Aliyah didn't just train; she evolved. The 6-8 platform provided the technical roadmap, but it was the mentorship of Tony Azevedo and Rico Chiapparelli that unlocked her mental game. Living and training independently at such a young age required a level of "mental toughness" that traditional club environments rarely demand. By the time she led Corona Del Mar High School to a CIF-SS Division I Championship, she was no longer just a fast swimmer, she was a high-IQ leader who could maintain composure under the highest pressure.

The 6-8 platform allowed Aliyah to document this transformation in real-time. Her metrics in speed and decision-making were logged on the 6-8 Mobile App, creating a verifiable data trail for collegiate scouts. When Bucknell University looked at her profile, they didn't just see a talented player from Florida; they saw a battle-tested athlete who had already proven she could thrive in an , independent training environment.

Now a standout at Bucknell, Aliyah reflects on the year that defined her career:

"The thing that developed my game the most was working on mental toughness with Tony and Rico. Now I'm a D1 athlete and I feel prepared. I wouldn't be where I am as an athlete or even as a person without my time training at the Academy."