USA Women’s National Team Readies For FINA Water Polo World Cup; Names Competition Roster

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand, August 15. THE USA Women's Senior National Team has arrived in Christchurch, New Zealand as they prepare for the upcoming FINA World Cup starting on August 17 and running through August 22 at the QEII Park Recreation and Sport Centre. This tourney marks the final major competition of the summer for Team USA that has seen a Gold Medal at the FINA World League Super Final and a second place finish at the Six Nations Tourney held last week in Sydney.

Head Coach Adam Krikorian brings a bit of a different look to New Zealand than what was seen in La Jolla, California for the Super Final as veterans Lauren Wenger (Long Beach, CA/NYAC) and Heather Petri (Orinda, CA/NYAC) remain stateside recovering from injuries. Replacing those two players are the likes of Anne Belden (Newport Beach, CA/Bruin) and Juliet Moss (San Jose, CA/SJ Splash).

Joining Belden and Moss are three-time Olympian Brenda Villa (Commerce, CA/Commerce) as well as veteran goalkeeper and Olympian Betsey Armstrong (Ann Arbor, MI/NYAC). 2008 Olympians Kami Craig (Santa Barbara, CA/Santa Barbara WP) and Elsie Windes (Portland, OR/Tulatin Hills WP) are joined by 2004 Olympian Kelly Rulon (Point Loma, CA/NYAC). Also back from the World League title team are Annika Dries (Laguna Beach, CA/SET), Melissa Seidemann (Walnut Creek, CA/Stanford), Lolo Silver (Long Beach, CA/NYAC), Emily Feher (Santa Ana, CA/NYAC), Maggie Steffens (Danville, CA/Diablo), and Courtney Mathewson (Anaheim Hills, CA/NYAC). Kiley Neushul (Goleta, CA/Santa Barbara WP) will serve as the alternate for the tourney.

"Our goals and expectations will always be the same no matter the group that we bring. With that being said, we realize that we have a younger and less experienced squad and understand that this experience, no matter the result, will be very beneficial for them individually and for us as a team heading into 2011," said Krikorian.

Team USA opens competition with Russia at 3pm local time on Tuesday before taking on Australia and then the host New Zealand to close out group play on Thursday. From there the quarter-finals commence with the championship game to be played on Sunday afternoon. For full schedule information click here.

The United States has medaled in every major championship over the last ten years including the FINA World Cup in 2002 when they earned Silver in Perth, Australia. Team USA hasn't claimed victory in this event since 1979 when the United States hosted the championship in Merced, California. The event returns to Christchurch for the first time since 1988 when Team USA grabbed fouth place, while the Netherlands was the winner. Australia is the defending champion in the event, winning in 2006 in Tianjin, China.

"We are all very aware of the history of the women's team and understand that the ultimate prize at this competition has eluded many teams in the past. We would love to change that fortune but we must focus on the steps it will take to reach that goal," concluded Krikorian.

FINA World Cup Roster
Betsey Armstrong (Ann Arbor, MI/NYAC)
Brenda Villa (Commerce, CA/Commerce)
Kami Craig (Santa Barbara, CA/Santa Barbara WPF)
Elsie Windes (Portland, OR/Tulatin Hills WP)
Kelly Rulon (Point Loma, CA/NYAC)
Annika Dries (Laguna Beach, CA/SET)
Melissa Seidemann (Walnut Creek, CA/Stanford)
Lolo Silver (Long Beach, CA/NYAC)
Emily Feher (Santa Ana, CA/NYAC)
Maggie Steffens (Danville, CA/Diablo)
Courtney Mathewson (Anaheim Hills, CA/NYAC)
Juliet Moss (San Jose, CA/SJ Splash)
Anne Belden (Newport Beach, CA/Bruin)
Kiley Neushul (Goleta, CA/Santa Barbara WPF) (alternate)

Jessica Steffens (Danville, CA/NYAC)*
Lauren Wenger (Long Beach, CA/NYAC)*
Heather Petri (Orinda, CA/NYAC)*

*Injured and not traveling

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.

Name*

Email*

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use