Armstrong to Anchor USA at 2009 FINA World Championship

Betsey Armstrong

ROME, Italy -- Collegiate Water Polo Association Hall of Fame member, Arizona State University club water polo athlete and former University of Michigan standout goalie Betsey Armstrong will once again tend the cage for the United States at the 2009 FINA World Championships, which run July 19-August 2, in Rome, Italy. The four-time All-American guided the U.S. squad to a silver medal at the Beijing Olympics last summer.

One of 12 Olympians on the United States roster, including 10 members of the 2007 World Championship squad that won Gold in Melbourne, Australia.  Further, the United States is coming off a gold medal at the 2009 FINA World League Super Final in Kirishi, Russia.

At the last World Championship in Australia two years ago, Armstrong shined in the cage, earning the tournament's Most Outstanding Goalkeeper award.

A goalkeeper for the United States National Team since 2007, Armstrong spent four seasons tending the cage for the University of Michigan Wolverines, leading the team to four divisional titles and two NCAA tournament appearances, including a sixth-place finish at the 2005 NCAA Championship. She wrapped up her U-M career as the program leader in blocks (1,267), minutes (3,329), goals against average (5.64) and save percentage (.654). She also holds the top four Michigan single-season blocks totals and three of the top five spots on the single-season save percentage and GAA lists.

During her career with the Maize and Blue, Armstrong racked up a pair of divisional Most Valuable Player accolades (2003-04) and four CWPA All-Division First Team honors (2002-05). Armstrong excelled at the Eastern Championship, earning two MVP honors (2003, '05) as part of three All-Eastern Championship first team nominations (2002, 2004-05). On the national level, she earned All-America recognition in each season, making the second team in 2004, third team in 2005 and honorable mention in her first two campaigns at Michigan, and was a finalist for the 2004 Cutino Award, water polo's Heisman Trophy equivalent.

The United States will participate in pool play beginning with Italy a 9 p.m. CEST on Sunday (July 20). Tournament play begins the following Saturday (July 26) with NBC Universal broadcasting the final three rounds on Universal HD and online at www.universalsports.com.

2009 FINA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE