Jesse Smith is the only Pepperdine graduate to appear in five Olympic games, doing so in every rendition from 2004 through 2020, according to Pepperdine Athletics. He won silver in the 2008 Beijing games and has served as captain of the U.S.A. water polo team since 2017 before stepping into a high school coaching role in 2021, according to The Coronado Times.Former coaches and … [Read more...] about Olympian Jesse Smith Reflects on Historic Water Polo Career
Olympics
Coach Merrill Moses Reflects on Water Polo and Faith
Associate Head Coach Merril Moses poses for a photo. Moses contributed to three Olympic games, including winning a silver medal in 2008. Photo courtesy of Merrill MosesThe International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame (Yad Le'ish Hasport Hayehudi) inducted Pepperdine Water Polo Coach Merrill Moses Jan. 15.The Hall of Fame picked Merrill Moses, a 2008 Olympic silver medalist for the … [Read more...] about Coach Merrill Moses Reflects on Water Polo and Faith
Olympics Roundup: Winter 2022 Edition
Graphic by Samantha TorreThe sun is shining, the snow is falling — well, not in Malibu, but it's probably falling somewhere — and the Olympic flame is burning. It's time for the 2022 Winter Olympics.The Olympics will run Feb. 4-20, in Beijing, China. The games are occurring a mere six months after the summer games, which the IOC delayed for one year due to COVID-19. … [Read more...] about Olympics Roundup: Winter 2022 Edition
Hot Shots: Katie Ledecky is the Moment
Art by Leah BaeYou hear it at every professional swim meet. Over the sound of a starting gun and the splash of water is a whisper that brushes the announcers booth and resides over the crowd. "Is this the next Michael Phelps?"Personally, I'm over it.Instead of focusing on what Michael Phelps has done, we need to instead look at Katie Ledecky, who doesn't just stand up to the … [Read more...] about Hot Shots: Katie Ledecky is the Moment
Going from a Wave to an Olympic Gold Medalist
Pepperdine alumna Kimberly Hill poses with her 2020 Olympic gold medal and golden volleyball she received at the 2021 Founder's Day from President Jim Gash. Hill was the first female recipient of an Olympic gold medal from Pepperdine. Photo by Denver Patterson The torch is lit, the crowd is roaring, the U.S. Women's Volleyball team is ahead and the gold medal is secured. This … [Read more...] about Going from a Wave to an Olympic Gold Medalist
