2016 Olympic Gold Medalist Caroline KK Clark (Menlo Park, CA/UCLA/NYAC) has announced her retirement from the USA Water Polo Women’s National Team. The 6’2” defender was a vital piece of Team USA’s senior team attack since 2013. She earned a bronze medal at the 2013 FINA World League Super Final in her first major international competition at the senior level and followed with gold medals at the 2014 FINA World Cup, 2015 Pan American Games and 2016 Olympic Games. Add to that three Super Final crowns, two FINA Intercontinental golds and a first place finish at the 2016 Olympic Qualification Tournament.
A 2012 graduate of UCLA, Clark helped the Bruins to a NCAA Championship in 2009 and won a variety of titles at USA Water Polo events competing for the New York Athletic Club. Clark was no stranger to the USA Water Polo pipeline competing with a variety of National Teams in her formative days. In 2011 Clark was part of a silver medal effort at the 2011 World University Games.
“I want to thank USA Water Polo, my coaches, teammates, and everyone who has supported Team USA this past quadrennial. Playing for the USA women’s national team has been the most rewarding experience of my life,” said Clark. “Representing our country as well as our water polo community gave me an unmatched sense of pride and I feel blessed to have been guided by the leadership of my coaches, teammates and support staff. It was an incredible journey and I am deeply grateful for the opportunities this sport has provided me. I look forward to seeing where Coach Adam takes the team next! As always, Go USA!”
“From day one, KK immersed herself in this journey and specifically into the process of improving physically, technically, and mentally. Her progress was astounding and her impact grew with every season, culminating with her best performances in our most pressure packed tournaments of 2016. In addition to her unwavering commitment, KK’s authenticity and kind spirit inspired the rest of us to step out of our own comfort zone and helped us grow to become a better unit,” said Adam Krikorian, USA Water Polo Women’s National Team Head Coach.
About USA Water Polo
USA Water Polo, Inc., is the national governing body for water polo in America, overseeing our United States Olympic program as well as 20 different championship events annually, such as Junior Olympics and Masters National Championships. With more than 40,000 members, USAWP also is the sanctioning authority for more than 500 Member Clubs and more than 400 tournaments nationwide. USAWP is committed to the development of the sport throughout the U.S. It fosters grass-roots expansion of the sport, providing a national system of affiliated clubs, certified coaches, and officials.
News courtesy of USA Water Polo.