Six years ago, USA Water Polo’s Chief Sport Development Officer, John Abdou, identified then 12 year-old Emily as having “a high water polo IQ.” He determined that she processed situations faster than most athletes, giving her an extra meter as she moved around the pool.
Now 18, when she competes in the Paris Games, Emily will be the youngest player on the US squad. That is not to say that she is inexperienced; on the contrary. She contributed four goals to the USA’s victory at this year’s World Aquatics Championships, and 16 during the 2023 Pan American Games tournament, as well as being a linchpin in the US victory at the 2023 World Aquatics World Cup.
Click here to see 12-year-old Emily Ausmus apply her remarkable water polo IQ in the pool.
Paris Result:
4th place; Eliminated in the bronze medal match.