Three-time Gold medalist at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, 2016 Olympics in Rio De Janiero, Brazil, and the 2012 Olympics in London, England. Center/Defender with strong post game, defense, and ability to hit outside shots. Can play multiple positions and is one of the physically strongest members of Team USA.Â
INTERNATIONAL/CLUB
Scored 5 goals at 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo...Recorded 7 goals at 2021 FINA World League Super Final in Athens...Scored 11 goals at 2019 Pan American Games in Lima...Tallied six goals at 2019 FINA World Championships in Gwangju...Recorded 3 goals at 2019 FINA World League Super Final…Tallied 8 goals at 2018 FINA World League Super Final...Scored 8 goals at 2018 FINA Intercontinental Tournament...Tallied 7 goals on way to Gold for Team USA at 2017 FINA World Championships...Scored 5 goals during Gold medal run at 2017 FINA World League Super Final…Team captain who helped United States to Silver at 2017 FINA Intercontinental Tournament…Added 3 goals in 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil...Scored 8 goals in 2016 FINA World League Super Final...Posted 6 goals to help Team USA qualify for 2016 Olympic Games...Recorded 5 goals in 2016 FINA Intercontinental Tournament, contributing to Gold-medal win...Scored 3 goals to assist Team USA to Gold medal at 2015 FINA World Championship...Added 7 goals in Team USA win at 2015 Pan American Games...Posted 7 goals, helping Team USA win Gold in 2015 FINA Intercontinental Tournament...Tallied 11 goals on way to Gold at 2014 FINA World Cup...Scored 3 goals in helping Team USA win Gold at 2014 FINA World League Super Final...Added 4 goals during 2013 FINA World Cup Qualifiers...Contributed to Team USA’s winning streak with 8 goals during 2013 Holiday Cup...Scored 9 goals in 2013 FINA World Championships...Tallied 7 goals to help Team USA to third-place finish at 2013 FINA World League Super Final...Helped Team USA to first-ever Olympic Gold medal in 2012...Second on team with seven shots logged at 2012 Olympic Games...Recorded 6 goals for Team USA at 2012 FINA World League Super Final...Third on team with 11 goals, helping United States to Gold medal and Olympic berth at 2011 Pan American Games...Scored three times during sixth-place finish at 2011 FINA World Championships...Tallied 2 goals during Gold medal run at 2011 FINA World League Super Final in Tianjin, China...Added 2 goals at 2010 FINA World Cup...Scored 3 goals, helping Team USA take home Gold at 2010 FINA World League Super Final.
PROFESSIONAL
Played professionally for CN Sabadell in Spain in 2013-2014…Volunteer assistant coach at University of California, Irvine (2016-2017)…Assistant coach at University of California, Irvine (2017-2018)…Head Coach 14 Under Girls at SOCAL Water Polo Club.
COLLEGE
Competed for  Stanford University women’s water polo team...Cutino Award winner in 2013...Finished career with 239 goals, tied for first all-time with USA teammate Lolo Silver...Scored 75 goals in senior season, helping Stanford reach NCAA Tournament final...Helped team to 2011 NCAA Championship...All-MPSF First Team…Second on  team with 51 goals…Led team in scoring as a sophomore with 54 goals in 2010 and helped squad advance to NCAA title match...3
rdTeam All-MPSF…As true freshman led team in scoring with 59 goals and was named MPSF Newcomer of the Year…1
stTeam All-American.
HIGH SCHOOL
Attended College Park High School in Pleasant Hill, CA.
PERSONAL
Currently lives in Orange County with five-year-old Vizsla puppy, Houston…Graduated from Stanford University in 2013 with degree in psychology…Completed Multiple Subject Credential Program at California State University, Fullerton, in 2019…Currently pursuing a Single Subject Mathematics credential and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics...Mom, Bobbie and Dad, Mark live in Walnut Creek with our two wonderful puppies Sadie and Thames…Older sister Lauren graduated from University California, Davis, currently lives in Walnut Creek with her fiancé James Meyer and works as a project manager for a construction management firm Herero Builders…Younger sister Natalie graduated from University California, Irvine, currently lives in Orange County and is head coach of JSerra High School Girls water polo; she plans also to pursue a public school teaching credential.Â
INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION HIGHLIGHTS
- 2020 OLYMPIC GAMES, TOKYO, JAPAN, 1ST PLACE (Took place in 2021 due to Covid-19 Pandemic)
- 2021Â FINA WORLD LEAGUE SUPER FINAL, ATHENS, GREECE, 1ST PLACE
- 2019 HOLIDAY CUP, PRINCETON, NJ, 1ST PLACE
- 2019 CANADA CUP, MONTREAL, CANADA, 1ST PLACE
- 2019 PAN AMERICAN GAMES, LIMA, PERU, 1ST PLACE
- 2019 FINA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, GWANGJU, SOUTH KOREA, 1ST PLACE
- 2019Â FINA WORLD LEAGUE SUPER FINAL, BUDAPEST, HUNGARY, 1STPLACE
- 2018 FINA WORLD LEAGUE SUPER FINAL, KUNSHAN, CHINA, 1STPLACE
- 2018 FINA INTERCONTINENTAL TOURNAMENT, AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND, 1STPLACE
- 2017 FINA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, BUDAPEST, HUNGARY, 1STPLACE
- 2017 FINA WORLD LEAGUE SUPER FINAL, SHANGHAI, CHINA, 1STPLACE
- 2017 FINA INTERCONTINENTAL TOURNAMENT, DAVIS, CA, 2NDPLACE
- 2016 OLYMPIC GAMES, RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL, 1STPLACE
- 2016 FINA WORLD LEAGUE SUPER FINAL, SHANGHAI, CHINA, 1STPLACE
- 2016 OLYMPIC QUALIFICATION TOURNAMENT, GOUDA, NETHERLANDS, 1STPLACE
- 2016 FINA WOMEN'S INTERCONTINENTAL TOURNAMENT, LEWISVILLE, TX, 1STPLACE
- 2015 FINA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, KAZAN, RUSSIA, 1STPLACE
- 2015 PAN AMERICAN GAMES, TORONTO, CANADA, 1STPLACE
- 2015 FINA WORLD LEAGUE SUPER FINAL, SHANGHAI, CHINA, 1STPLACE
- 2015 FINA INTERCONTINENTAL TOURNAMENT, AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND, 1STPLACE
- 2014 FINA WORLD CUP, KHANTY-MANSIYSK, RUSSIA, 1STPLACE
- 2014 FINA WORLD LEAGUE SUPER FINAL, KUNSHAN, CHINA, 1STPLACE
- 2013 FINA WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS, SANTA ANA, CA, 1STPLACE
- 2013 HOLIDAY CUP, SANTA ANA, CA, 1STPLACE
- 2013 CANADA CUP, GATINEAU, CANADA, 1STPLACE
- 2013 FINA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, BARCELONA, SPAIN, 5THPLACE
- 2013 FINA WORLD LEAGUE SUPER FINAL, BEIJING, CHINA, 3RDPLACE
- 2012 OLYMPICS, LONDON, ENGLAND, 1STPLACE
- 2012 FINA WORLD LEAGUE SUPER FINAL, CHANGSHU, CHINA, 1STPLACE
- 2011 PAN AMERICAN GAMES, GUADALAJARA, MEXICO, 1STPLACE
- 2011 FINA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, SHANGHAI, CHINA, 6THPLACE
- 2011 FINA WORLD LEAGUE SUPER FINAL, TIANJIN, CHINA, 1STPLACE
- 2010 FINA WORLD CUP, CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND, 1STPLACE
- 2010 FINA WORLD LEAGUE SUPER FINAL, LA JOLLA, CA, 1STPLACE
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FUN FACTS
Instagram:mseidemann
Twitter:@melseidemann
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What was the moment you knew you wanted to represent your country in the Olympic Games? Was it always in the sport of water polo?Â
Once I found water polo, I wanted to reach the most elite level of competition possible. It wasn’t until my first taste with the Youth National Team in 2006 that I started dreaming about the Olympics. I remember a moment in 2011 that is far too personal to share when I was challenged to commit my mind and body to the process and will forever be grateful that I did.Â
What is your hidden talent?Â
I can wiggle my ears!
What is your favorite karaoke song?Â
 “What’s Love Got to Do with It” by Tina Turner
What is one thing you have to have with you when you travel?Â
A candle!Â
Biggest superstition if you have one?Â
I’m not superstitious.Â
What is your biggest fear?Â
I fear the unknown.Â
What causes are most dear to your heart?Â
Children and education.Â
What are two truths and a lie about you?Â
I don’t like Disneyland.Â
I enjoy watching movies.Â
If given the opportunity I would choose to share a bed with my little sis.Â
Do you have a nickname? How did you get it?Â
My teammates call me Melly.Â
What song would be included on your life's soundtrack?Â
“Greatest Love of All” by Whitney Houston.Â
What advice would you give your younger self, and what would you remind your older self?Â
To my younger self I would say, “Open your mind and be patient with yourself.” To my older self I would say, “Keep being patient with yourself; good things take time.”Â
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