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| Melissa
SEIDEMANN |
| Sport |
Water Polo |
| NOC |
United States
|
| Gender | Women |
| Born | 26 Jun 1990
in Hoffman Estates, IL, USA |
| Height | 1.83 m |
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Further Personal Information |
Higher education |
Psychology - Stanford University: United States |
General Interest |
Famous relatives |
Her older sister Lauren has played water polo at university level in the United States of America. Her younger sister Natalie has been a member of the US national cadet training squad in the sport. (usawaterpolo.org, 15 Oct 2014) |
Sport Specific Information |
Name of coach |
Adam Krikorian [national], USA |
Further Personal Information |
Occupation |
Athlete, Coach |
Languages |
English |
Sport Specific Information |
Why this sport? |
She followed her older sister into the sport. Her swim coach also noticed she was strong and tall, making her well-suited to water polo. |
General Interest |
Awards and honours |
She was named Most Valuable Player [MVP] at the 2017 Intercontinental Tournament in California, United States of America. (fina.org, 08 May 2017)
While representing Stanford University, she received the 2013 Peter J. Cutino Award. The award is given annually to the best male and female water polo players in the National Collegiate Athletic Association [NCAA] in the United States of America. (olyclub.com, 01 Jul 2019; usawaterpolo.org, 15 Oct 2014) |
Superstitions / Rituals / Beliefs |
"It's all about keeping the mood light. I'm definitely focused, but if I get too excited I tend to overdo it the first time I'm in. I'm always waiting for the nerves to kick in. It happens every game and tells me I'm ready to play. Oh, and I must have a piece of gum." (usawaterpolo.org, 21 Mar 2016) |
Sporting philosophy / motto |
"Keep being patient with yourself, good things take time." (usawaterpolo.org, 10 Aug 2019) |
Other information |
COACHING
She is head coach of the girls' water polo team at Corona del Mar High School in Newport Beach, CA, United States of America. She was an assistant water polo coach at the University of California, Irvine between 2016 and 2018, and is a mentor with RISE Athletes. (teamusa.org, 18 Jul 2019; usawaterpolo.org, 31 Aug 2019; ocregister.com, 16 Sep 2020; rise-athletes.waldenapp.com, 01 Jan 2020; totalwaterpolo.com, 18 Dec 2020; Instagram profile, 28 Sep 2021; latimes.com, 24 Dec 2021, 12 Jan 2021)
TOUGH TIMES
One hour before she played her first match at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, her mother suffered a stroke and was taken to hospital. She was told after the match. "I kind of knew something wasn't right. I can usually spot my family in the stands. I spotted my sisters, but not my parents." Her mother suffered a second stroke and spent the rest of 2016 in hospital. In 2017 she was with teammates and friends in Las Vegas, NV, United States of America, at a country music festival where 61 people were killed in a mass shooting. She had left the venue 30 minutes before the shooting and watched events unfold on television nearby. "I felt helpless. Oh my god, my people are there and I want to help them. But there was nothing we could do." (latimes.com, 08 Aug 2020)
FURTHER EDUCATION
She has studied for a master's degree in educational technology. (rise-athletes.waldenapp.com, 01 Jan 2020) |
Nicknames |
Melly (usawaterpolo.org, 10 Aug 2019) |
Further Personal Information |
Residence |
Walnut Creek, CA, USA |
General Interest |
Ambitions |
After her sporting career she aspires to work in primary education. (olympic.org, 09 Jul 2020; rise-athletes.waldenapp.com, 01 Jan 2020) |
Sport Specific Information |
Club / Team |
New York Athletic Club: United States |
General Interest |
Most influential person in career |
Her family. (recruiting.fieldlevel.com, 01 Jul 2021) |
Milestones |
She and teammate Maggie Steffens became the first female water polo players to win three Olympic gold medals when the United States of America triumphed at the 2020 Games in Tokyo. At the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro, Seidemann, Steffens, and US teammates Courtney Mathewson and Kami Craig had become the first female water polo players to win two Olympic gold medals. (SportsDeskOnline, 14 Jan 2022) |
Sport Specific Information |
When and where did you begin this sport? |
She took up water polo in California, United States of America. |
Further Personal Information |
Family |
Partner Sam |
Olympic Games |
| Rank |
Year |
Venue |
Event |
Result |
| 1 |
2021 |
Tokyo, JPN |
Team |
|
| 1 |
2016 |
Rio de Janeiro, BRA |
Team |
|
| 1 |
2012 |
London, ENG |
Team |
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World Championship |
| Rank |
Year |
Venue |
Event |
Result |
| 1 |
2019 |
Gwangju, KOR |
Team |
|
| 1 |
2017 |
Budapest, HUN |
Team |
|
| 1 |
2015 |
Kazan, RUS |
Team |
|
| 5 |
2013 |
Barcelona, ESP |
Team |
|
| 6 |
2011 |
Shanghai, CHN |
Team |
|
World Cup |
| Rank |
Year |
Venue |
Event |
Result |
| 1 |
2014 |
Khanty-Mansiysk, RUS |
Team |
|
| 1 |
2010 |
Christchurch, NZL |
Team |
|
Pan American Games |
| Rank |
Year |
Venue |
Event |
Result |
| 1 |
2019 |
Lima, PER |
Team |
|
| 1 |
2015 |
Toronto, CAN |
Team |
|
| 1 |
2011 |
Guadalajara, MEX |
Team |
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