Athletics: LBCC coaches making impact on US Olympic Water Polo teams

A pair of Long Beach City College water polo coaches are making their presence felt at the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London. Ryan Bailey is now playing in his fourth Olympics for the United States men while Courtney Mathewson is succeeding in her first Olympics for the American women.

In two Olympic matches, Bailey has totaled four goals. He scored one goal in the United States’ 8-7 opening-round win over Montenegro and totaled a team-high three goals in a 10-8 come-from-behind win over Romania.

USA will face Great Britain in its next preliminary-round match on Thursday (Aug 2).

Mathewson had a memorable Olympic debut. She poured in four goals in USA’s 14-13 win over Hungary in an opening-round contest on Monday. And in Wednesday’s second-round game against Spain, Mathewson had one goal in a 9-9 tie.

Bailey and Mathewson both served as volunteer assistant coaches for LBCC head coach Chris Oeding’s squads during the 2010 season. Oeding himself was a two-time Olympic team member, representing the United States in 1996 and 2000.  

According to Oeding, he hopes the duo will return to coach at LBCC following the Olympics.

Check back for more updates as we follow both during the Summer Games.