As part of Jesse Smith’s retirement ceremony, the five-time Olympian from Coronado is expected to take one last dip with the USA men’s national water polo team.
Smith should get in the pool early during Friday’s 6 p.m. Olympic tune-up against Montenegro at UC San Diego’s Canyonview Aquatic Center. Then he’ll dry off in preparation for a halftime ceremony recognizing his Olympic tenure.
Smith appeared in Olmypics in 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2021. He’s tied with Tony Azevedo (2000-2016) for the most Olympic appearances by an American men’s water polo player.
“I am incredibly grateful for the path this sport has taken me on, allowing me to compete at the highest levels around the world,” Smith said. “It has profoundly shaped my life and character.”
Smith helped USA earn a silver medal in the 2008 Olympic Games, losing to Hungary in the final. Tthe Americans placed sixth in the 2021 Tokyo Games in Smith’s farewell from high-level competition.
Smith also played professionally in 10 countries, including Montenegro, becoming known as one of the top defenders in international water polo.
Smith then returned to his alma mater, coaching the Coronado High School boys water polo team to the CIF San Diego Section Division 1 title last fall and the Islanders’ girls team to a repeat D-1 crown last winter.
Smith played on three CIF section title teams (1998-2000) while at Coronado, and twice received section Player of the Year honors (1999-2000) before becoming a four-time All-American at Pepperdine.
Friday’s contest is the second of in a two-game series ahead of the announcement of the Olympic roster on Tuesday in Los Angeles. On Wednesday night, Hannes Daube scored four goals to the lead Americans to a 16-11 victory at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut.
Fifteen players are eligible to play Friday. The Olympic roster will number 13.
Looking to make his third straight Olympic appearance is Santee’s Alex Bowen, regarded as one of the top American shooters. The Santana High School alum was a four-time All-American at Stanford.
Team USA qualified for the Olympics by winning the gold medal in the 2023 Pan American Games.
In this year’s World Aquatics Championships, the Americans placed ninth in Doha, Qatar, during February. Included was an opening loss to Montenegro. UC San Diego men’s coach
Matt Ustaszewski is in his second year as a Team USA assistant under Dejan Udovicic.
The USA women’s Olympic team will also play at UC San Diego on July 25 in the opener of a two-game tune-up series against Italy.Also ahead of the Olympics starting July 26, the USA men will play a three-game series against Spain, and the women will face Hungary in a two-game set, all in California.
Thien is a freelance writer.
Men’s water polo
What: United States man’s national water polo team vs. Montenegro in Olympic tune-up.
When: 6 p.m. Friday
Where: UC San Diego’s Canyonview Aquatic Center.
ission: $20; children 6 and under are free.
Parking: Free at lot P707
