U.S. Olympic Water Polo Goalkeeper Betsey Armstrong Takes Job At Alma Mater

U.S. Olympic Water Polo team goalkeeper Betsey Armstrong, 29, made 53 saves during the Olympics as the U.S. went on to capture gold for the first time in the sport. For her part, Armstrong was named Goaltender of the Tournament. “You’re heart’s racing; it brings tears to your eyes,’’ the Ann Arbor, Mich., native told the Detroit Free Press. “To be up there with these 12 other girls, to hear the anthem played for us and everything we’ve gone through together and what we built as a team, it’s the greatest feeling in the world.” Armstrong’s entry into water polo began in high school. “My older sister played and I wanted to do everything that she did, so I kind of tagged along,” she Uinterview exclusively. “I think my favorite part about the team and why I stuck with it is just being on a team and being part of a team sport and getting to hang out with your friends every day.” Having received a silver medal at the Beijing Games in 2008, Armstrong went into the London Olympics fully prepared for the experience that awaited her. “I find myself much more relaxed, much more able to enjoy the process,” she told Uinterview. "That isn't to say I'm not focused or concentrated about the upcoming games, but prior to Beijing I was just a total mess, nerves-wise. It's kind of cool to go through the process again and have some confidence from my past experience and enjoy it a little bit more." After the Olympics, it was announced that Armstrong’s alma mater, the University of Michigan, had hired her as an assistant coach for their water polo team. “Betsey is going to be an incredible spokesperson for Michigan and for our program,” said head coach Matt Anderson. “It's nice to have someone like her have a chance to share her experiences, talent and expertise with our current players and with the future players we will bring in.”