Nickname: Petie
POSITION: Attacker
HEIGHT: 5’11’’
WEIGHT: 155 lbs.
EDUCATION: UC Berkeley 2002
CLUB: New York Athletic Club, Rari Nantes, (ITA)
BIRTHDAY: 6/13/78
BIRTHPLACE: Oakland, CA
HOMETOWN: Orinda, CA
RESIDENCE: Long Beach, CA
1.What do i enjoy most about blogging as an athlete?
I first started blogging as a way to give my family and friends a window into what I was doing. It is hard to e-mail and/or call everyone individually with the exhausting schedule that we, as athletes, maintain. I fell into the habit of mass e-mailing….which takes some of the personal touch of communication away. In my blog I feel I can show a little more of myself. Add pictures and show more emotion. I felt it was a happy medium between doing nothing, sending boring e-mails or a tired phone call and the stress of wanting to keep all my loved ones connected to my life. This way I just add a post when I get a chance and they are free to check it when ever they want.
Now that I have this opportunity as a Lenovo Blogger I hope that my blog will connect my sport and what we do as athletes to more people than just my loved ones. I think it is so exciting to be able to share my unique experiences with everyone! 
2. What is the best moment in your sports career?
I have been a part of some incredible moments in my water polo career. I was on the team in 2000, when Women’s Water Polo was first featured in the Olympic games. Team USA has won many Olympic and World Championship medals since then. But playing in the final game at World Championships last year, where we beat Australia to take home the gold, sits at the top of the list. Being part of this team has been an adventure and even 8 years after I started with the national team am learning new things to become a better player every day. I felt that this was a game where I really felt comfortable with my skills in the pool and was proud of what I could contribute to the team. For me that is what I strive for every time I play. It felt great to see the hard work reflected in a gold medal.
3. What are you most looking forward to in Beijing?
EVERYTHING!
I know that I have been blessed to be able to compete in more than one Olympics. The first time I went, in Sydney, I had joined the National Team just 9 months prior. I felt like I was on a speeding train and my face was pressed to the window, eyes buldging, trying to catch everything before it whized by. I know the Olympic experience can be overwhelming and I hope to absorb China with a greater sence of calm. I am looking forward to it all. China here I come!!!!
Sports History:
- 2007 Pan American Games, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 1st place
- 2007 FINA World League Super Final, Montreal, Canada, 1st place
- 2007 FINA World Championships, Melbourne, Australia, 1st place
- 2006 Holiday Cup, Los Alamitos, CA , 1st place
- 2006 FINA World Cup, Tianjin, China, 4th place
- 2006 FINA World League, Cosenza, Italy, 1st place
- 2005 FINA World Championships, Montreal, Canada, 2nd place
- 2005 FINA World League, 5th place
- 2004 Olympic Games, Athens, Greece, 3rd place
- 2004 Holiday Cup, La Jolla, CA, 1st place
- 2004 FINA World League Series, Long Beach, CA, 1st place
- 2003 Holiday Cup, Los Alamitos, CA, 1st place
- 2003 Pan American Games, Dominican Republic, 1st place
- 2003 World Championships, Barcelona, Spain, 1st place
- 2002 FINA World Cup, Perth, Australia, 2nd place
- 2002 Holiday Cup, Palo Alto, United States, 1st place
- 2002 USA Cup, Chicago, United States, 3rd place
- 2001 FINA World Championships, Fukuoka, Japan, 4th place
- 2001 Holiday Cup, Los Alamitos, United States, 1st place
- 2000 Olympic Games, Sydney, Australia, 2nd place
- 2000 Olympic Qualification Tournament, Palermo, Sicily, 2nd place
- 2000 Holiday Cup, Los Alamitos, CA, 1st place
