In a sport full of west coast players, goalkeeper Betsey Armstrong put Michigan water polo on the map. At 6'1" with a formidable wingspan, the Ann Arbor native was a key piece for the University of Michigan. Her college career would earn her Michigan Athletics and CWPA Hall of Fame honors, but she stepped away from competition and the National Team pipeline following the conclusion of her time with the Wolverines. After a brief hiatus she reentered the fold in 2006 and quickly became Team USA's trusty last line of defense. She broke out in 2007, helping Team USA to a FINA World Championship while earning top goalkeeper honors. Her first of two trips to the Olympic podium culminated with a Silver medal in Beijing in 2008. Entrenched as Team USA's starter and the best goalkeeper in the world, Armstrong and the Americans launched a run that has seen the USA Women become the dominant force in the game. A FINA World Championship in 2009 was up next followed by a harrowing Olympic qualification at the 2011 Pan American Games where Armstrong made multiple game-saving stops to lift Team USA to victory in a Guinness World Record setting 20-round shootout with Canada. The pinnacle was reached in 2012 when Armstrong anchored the cage for Team USA's first Olympic Gold Medal in London. Her career accolades included six FINA World League titles and Women's Water Polo Player of the Year honors from both FINA and Swimming World Magazine. After retiring in 2014, Armstrong has stayed close to the sport as a coach in the collegiate and ODP ranks in addition to competing for the New York Athletic Club in various tournaments.