Fresno State Athletics
USA Water Polo names Benson head coach of Women's Junior National Team
4/11/2019 11:17:00 AM | Water Polo
IRVINE, Calif. – USA Water Polo Chief High Performance Officer John Abdou announced the coaching staffs for the 2019 ODP Pipeline National Teams including the Junior, Youth, Cadet and Development National Teams. Fresno State water polo head coach Natalie Benson was selected to lead the Women's Junior National Team for the first time in her career.
"It is an honor to be a part of the national team pipeline staff, and to have the opportunity to work with some of our future Olympians as the head coach of the women's Junior National Team," Benson said. "Junior World Championships is a highly competitive tournament, and will provide these athletes tremendous international experience that will help them as they move forward in their respective playing careers. I look forward to being a part of their journey."
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The 2019 FINA World Women's Junior Water Polo Championships will be held Sept. 9-15 in Funchal, Portugal. Benson will lead her squad through a variety of additional competitions leading up to the championships. The competition schedule and travel roster for those events will be announced at a later date.Â
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Benson, a two-time Olympian and medalist, has been a staple coach for USA water polo over the past eight years. She led the 18-and-under girl's teams to a gold medal at the 2011 Junior Olympics and a silver medal in 2012 and 2013. Benson served as the head coach of the 2013 USA Water Polo's Women's Cadet National Team, leading the group to a gold medal at the UANA Pan American Youth Water Polo Championships (17U) in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She has also been an assistant coach for the Junior National Team (20U) at the Junior World Championships in 2015 (gold medal) and 2017 (Volos, Greece).
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As a player at the national level, Benson was an integral part of two Olympic medal-winning squads for Team USA at the 2004 (Bronze) and 2008 (Silver) Olympic Games. Benson also led the United States to three Fédération Internationale de Natation World Championship medals (2003, 2005, 2007), including two gold medals. The 2003 FINA World Championship followed a 2001 FINA Junior World Championship title, both which were firsts in program history.
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"It is an honor to be a part of the national team pipeline staff, and to have the opportunity to work with some of our future Olympians as the head coach of the women's Junior National Team," Benson said. "Junior World Championships is a highly competitive tournament, and will provide these athletes tremendous international experience that will help them as they move forward in their respective playing careers. I look forward to being a part of their journey."
Â
The 2019 FINA World Women's Junior Water Polo Championships will be held Sept. 9-15 in Funchal, Portugal. Benson will lead her squad through a variety of additional competitions leading up to the championships. The competition schedule and travel roster for those events will be announced at a later date.Â
Â
Benson, a two-time Olympian and medalist, has been a staple coach for USA water polo over the past eight years. She led the 18-and-under girl's teams to a gold medal at the 2011 Junior Olympics and a silver medal in 2012 and 2013. Benson served as the head coach of the 2013 USA Water Polo's Women's Cadet National Team, leading the group to a gold medal at the UANA Pan American Youth Water Polo Championships (17U) in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She has also been an assistant coach for the Junior National Team (20U) at the Junior World Championships in 2015 (gold medal) and 2017 (Volos, Greece).
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As a player at the national level, Benson was an integral part of two Olympic medal-winning squads for Team USA at the 2004 (Bronze) and 2008 (Silver) Olympic Games. Benson also led the United States to three Fédération Internationale de Natation World Championship medals (2003, 2005, 2007), including two gold medals. The 2003 FINA World Championship followed a 2001 FINA Junior World Championship title, both which were firsts in program history.
Â
"Just the Ticket to Build Our Community" – The Bulldog Scholarship Fund gives Bulldog alumni, fans and friends the opportunity to support Fresno State Athletics and the student-athletes who inspire them. For information about how you can support the Bulldog Scholarship Fund, please visit www.bulldogscholarshipfund.com or call 559-278-7160.
Follow us on:
Twitter:Â @FresnoStateWP
Instagram:Â fresnostatewp
Facebook:Â FresnoStateAthletics
Â
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