Alumna Armstrong Leads USA to Gold Medal at Worlds
3/31/2007 12:00:00 AM | Water Polo
MELBOURNE, Australia -- Former U-M All-American goalkeeper and Ann Arbor native Betsey Armstrong backstopped the USA National Women's water polo team to a gold medal Saturday (March 31) at the FINA World Championships, leading the Americans past host Australia, 6-5, in the championship final game. As a result of her steady-as-a-rock performance, Armstrong was named the tournament's Outstanding Goalkeeper by FINA. The former Wolverine recorded 12 blocks in both the 10-9 semifinal win over Hungary Thursday (March 29) and in Saturday's one-goal victory.
The USA team won the gold for the second time in three attempts in the championship final game, last winning in 2003. The Americans did not lose any of their six matches during the 2007 FINA World Championships.
Armstrong, who was not a member of the invitation list for the U.S. team open tryouts, earned the roster spot on the national squad after attending the tryouts 11 months ago thanks to encouragement from Michigan head coach Matt Anderson.
"Betsey's size and presence in the goal are a big strength for her," commented Head Coach Guy Baker. "Lucky for her and for us, she took advantage of the open tryout opportunity. It was the right time for her."
Anderson could not be more proud of his former starting goalkeeper.
"This championship is outstanding for women's water polo and USA water polo and it's outstanding for Michigan," Anderson says. "Betsey deserves it and I am very proud of her. She texted me about it this morning and she is on top of the world, as she should be because she is the MVP goalie. It's outstanding that the USA was able to win the gold in Australia, but also that an Ann Arbor native in addition to Alison Gregorka -- another Ann Arbor native -- were able to lead them to the gold."
Her unlikely road began with her earning the starting position on the USA team and culminated with a gold medal and an outstanding-goalkeeper honor. Last summer, Armstrong led the U.S. to the gold at the World League Championships, defeating Italy, 9-6. The 6-1 goalkeeper helps the U.S. bounce back from a fourth-place finish at the World Cup in August.
Joining Armstrong on the roster was fellow Ann Arbor native Alison Gregorka. The two continue to show the vast steps Eastern water polo and Michigan water polo has made in recent years -- a point further supported by current U-M sophomore Carrie Frost (Saline, Mich./Saline), who was a member of the U.S. Junior National Team this past summer.
Armstrong returns to the U.S. this week and will bring her gold medal home to Ann Arbor to celebrate her championship experience.
Contact: Matt Baumer (734) 763-4423
