Milford Athletics

One of the most dynamic sports around is returning to Milford High School. Milford will once again sponsor boys and girls water polo this fall in an exciting announcement from Director of Athletics Aaron Zupka.

Thanks to the outpouring of support from the Milford community and water polo alumni and families, the decision to eliminate water polo as a school-sponsored sport has been reversed. The Eagles will field both varsity and junior varsity squads for girls, along with a junior varsity-only program for the boys. A return to varsity competition on the boys side is open to possibility in the future.

Milford is also pleased to announce that a trio of former Milford student-athletes have signed on to lead the programs as coaches. Arija Walsh will serve as head coach of the girls program, with assistance from Skyler Fontaine (Class of ‘17). Paul Splitt, a 1999 Milford graduate, will take the reigns of the boys program.

“Polo is back at Milford!” Zupka exclaimed. “After a short hiatus, one of the most unique and exciting sports at MHS is back for the 2025 season! Thanks to our extremely dedicated polo parents, alumni and athletes, we were able to come up with a plan to revive the program while bringing in three top coaches in Southwest Ohio. Since its inception in 1990, Milford has been home to many great water polo athletes, teams and moments. We are thrilled to keep the proud history of this program alive and in good hands!”

To kick off the return of water polo, the three coaches will host an athlete and parent meeting on Wednesday, July 2 at 6 pm in the Zamudio Theater inside Milford High School. All interested players and a parent should plan to attend.

Walsh began her playing career at Milford before graduating from San Marcos High School in California. She moved on to enjoy a collegiate career at the University of Michigan and has remained an active competitor with the Ohio Squirrels since 2020. On the coaching front, Walsh has mentored student-athletes with the Cincinnati Mavericks, St. Xavier and Mason. On the club circuit, she has experience with the Cincinnati Moose, the Sea Monsters and the Olympic Development Program. During the 2024 season, she took on a different role in the water polo world, serving as a match official.

Following a decorated playing career at Milford, Fontaine played one year collegiately at Mercyhurst University. She was also an Olympic Development Program participant for four years. Fontaine launched her coaching career with the Moose Water Polo Club and also spent the 2018-19 seasons as a Milford assistant coach. She gained additional experience as a Junior Olympics and Ohio Water Polo Summer Camp coach.

Splitt got his start in coaching as a Milford assistant from 2001-11, helping the Eagles to a pair of state championships (2006 and 2008). He’s also had area coaching stops at Sycamore, the Cincinnati Mavericks, St. Xavier and Mason, with another state title coming in 2018 with the Mavericks. On the club scene, Splitt spent over a decade with Moose Water Polo and most recently, a year with the Sea Monsters. On a bigger stage, he’s served as a Great Lakes Zone ODP coach (2012-22), a USA National Team Futures Coach (2019), a mentor coach for the 2021 Olympic Training Center Holiday Camp and a coach at the 2025 New Zealand National Training Camps. Splitt is a four-time Cincinnati Enquirer area coach of the year.

They Said It
New Milford girls head coach Arija Walsh
“From player, to coach, to ref, and back to coaching again, I just love water polo. Starting my career at Milford High School in 2012 opened doors that I never knew possible. I’ve played at the highest levels of the game and continue to be an athlete on the side while giving back to the water polo community through mentorship and coaching. With coaching specialties in center, center defense, and power plays, I’m a fundamentals coach with heavy emphasis on making team connections.”

New Milford boys head coach Paul Splitt
“This community gave me everything—my start in the sport, my first coaching opportunity, and the values that shaped who I am. I look forward to bringing the culture that helped us win two state championships, back to Milford. Coming back to Milford is more than a job—it’s a chance to give back to the place that gave me so much. This Eagle is finally home.”