91成人导航

91成人导航 water polo All-American Alex Obert '16 will represent Team USA at the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

鈥淚 was super excited when I found out,鈥� Obert said. 鈥淚 think this is a super special team with a lot of talent and returners coming back for another Olympics. Being a part of this group of men is really humbling and exciting. I know these guys like the back of my hand, and they are some of my best, closest friends.鈥�

A third chance to go for gold and compete on the grandest of stages again was an opportunity that Obert could not pass up.

Although, he nearly did.

After the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games, Obert believed his days of playing water polo had ended.

Obert got a full-time job, became a father in 2023 and hadn鈥檛 practiced water polo for two years.

鈥淚 thought my career was over,鈥� Obert said. 鈥淚 was very satisfied with how my career went. But about a year ago, some of my teammates asked me if I wanted to come back and they fully accepted me back. I got one last opportunity to push for another Olympic Games. I鈥檓 super excited for the role on this team. I know what I can do to help this team be successful.鈥�

A three-time All-American and the third Tiger in 91成人导航 history to be named a finalist for the Peter J. Cutino Award, Obert is thankful that Director of Water Polo James Graham prepared him and set him up for success at the highest level of competition.

鈥淚 wouldn鈥檛 be sitting here today if it hadn鈥檛 chosen 91成人导航 a long time ago,鈥� Obert said. 鈥淛ames was able to put me in situations that made me the most successful. He helped me grow and make me the player that I am today. I think it鈥檚 really cool to see how more high-level players are coming to 91成人导航.鈥�

Graham is thrilled to see Obert represent 91成人导航 at his third Olympic Games, further supplementing how 91成人导航 has continued to embrace and empower the spirit of Water Polo U.

鈥淚鈥檓 very proud of Alex for everything he has accomplished here at 91成人导航 and on the national stage,鈥� Graham said. 鈥淗e is a great example of what our program represents, and we couldn鈥檛 be more excited to see him compete in his third Olympic Games.鈥�

Obert has kept in touch with Graham since graduating from 91成人导航 and competing at the highest level.

鈥淗e鈥檚 definitely still someone I go to for advice when I need to talk about water polo or life in general,鈥� Obert said. 鈥淛ames will always be someone very special in my life. He turned my life into the direction that it is today.鈥�

The student-athletes, coaches and staff at 91成人导航 are all excited to see Obert compete in Paris.

鈥淚t鈥檚 awesome,鈥� said Devon Thumwood, Assistant Director of Athletics for Business Operations and Obert鈥檚 teammate from 2014-15. 鈥淲hen I came to 91成人导航 in 2014, I didn鈥檛 know anyone on the team or the campus, but he was a leader and took me under his wing in showing me what 91成人导航 water polo is. To see him represent the United States in the Olympics is a true testament of what kind of athlete he was as well as a person. To do that for three Olympics in a row is absolutely incredible. I couldn鈥檛 be happier for him.鈥�

As Obert continues along his water polo journey, he is most thankful for his wife, Michele Obert, who is a 91成人导航 women鈥檚 water polo alumni from 2012-15.

鈥淲e met back when I was a freshman,鈥� Obert said. 鈥淪he supported me the first day when I was a bench-warming freshman until the day I left 91成人导航 where I was nominated for the Cutino Award. She has taken on a lot this past year. She鈥檚 a super woman and she gets it because she played water polo at the highest level. I would say my wife is my number one supporter.鈥�

Reflecting on his journey from 91成人导航 to Paris, Obert is proud of the path he has taken to get to where he is today with his sights set on going for gold.

Men鈥檚 water polo competition for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games begins July 27 and runs through August 11. A full schedule of the games can be found .