USA Water Polo & U.S. Navy SEALs Join Forces; Dylan Peterson Tabbed for Hardcore Moment of the Quarter

HUNTINGTON BEACH, California, January 27. USA Water Polo, the national governing body for the sport in America and the U.S. Navy SEALs (Sea, Air and Land), a versatile special operations force, have teamed up to offer water polo players exposure to Navy SEAL mental and physical fitness.

The Navy SEALs have produced data that indicates young men who play water polo succeed more often in SEAL basic training than other candidates. Consequently, the SEALs formed a relationship with USA Water Polo to raise awareness about Navy SEAL careers among water polo athletes.

"The sport of water polo produces mentally and physically tough athletes," said Navy SEAL Capt. Adam Curtis, director of the SEAL and SWCC Scout Team. "That toughness coupled with water polo players' affinity for the water makes them viable candidates for Navy SEAL Teams. We hope that, through our partnership, we will raise awareness among water polo players about the career opportunities available to them in the SEAL Teams, while at the same time offering them a rewarding physical fitness challenge."

The training SEAL candidates endure is among the hardest mental and physical military training in the world. Members of USA Water Polo clubs nationwide will benefit from exposure to SEAL training tips and life perspectives, such as mental toughness and teamwork, through experiences at regional SEAL Fitness Challenge events.

The SEAL Fitness Challenge includes the following tasks in a timed environment: 500 yard swim, push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, and a 1.5 mile run. USA Water Polo members taking the Challenge will be able to compare their results, via an online database, to all other Challenge participants. Member Clubs will receive additional benefits for SEAL Fitness Challenge participation.

"The Navy SEALs set the highest standard for excellence and service," said Christopher Ramsey, CEO of USA Water Polo. "We believe this partnership will not only encourage our members to higher standards of health and fitness; we also recognize that the SEALs are experts in the arts of leadership and teamwork, and we relish an opportunity to learn from them and apply relevant knowledge across the USA Water Polo system."

The USA Men's National Team visited the SEALs' training facility in Coronado, Calif., in the winter of 2007 and took part in a variety of drills in an effort to promote teamwork and overcome adversity. The following year that same team earned a Silver Medal at the 2008 Olympic Games, their first Olympic medal in 20 years.

"Our work with the Navy SEALs in late 2007 was instrumental in our team building as we approached the Beijing Olympic Games. The SEALs helped us understand what it means to be a true teammate. It also gave us a perspective as to what is really important in life. The SEALs put the "team" concept into a life and death situation as they fight for our country and our freedom. We all have the utmost respect for what they do," said USA Men's Water Polo Head Coach Terry Schroeder.

USA Water Polo will be recognizing a "Navy SEALs Hardcore Moment" each quarter that focuses on a water polo athlete who overcame great odds with SEAL-like toughness to succeed in the game of water polo. The first athlete recognized is Dylan Peterson of Katella High School. His video profile can be viewed by clicking here. The dedicated Navy SEALs section of usawaterpolo.org will also feature this video profile.

The above article is a press release submitted to Swimming World Magazine. It has been posted in its entirety without editing. Swimming World offers all outlets the chance to reach our audience by contacting us at Newsmaster@swimmingworldmagazine.com. However, Swimming World reserves the right to choose what material is posted.

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