Emily Ausmus first started playing water polo at just eight years old. She and her older brother, Evan, started playing for a local club in Riverside, CA.
"I remember my first 10U, I was playing on a co-ed team for Riverside and [water polo] was so fun, it was more fun than all the other sports I had ever played," Emily said. "In 12U, we went to the finals and placed second, and that was a turning point for me where I knew I wanted to fully pursue the sport."
Emily's brother Evan competed in the 2022 USA Water Polo National League with USA Academy. She credits having her brother involved in the sport for pushing her to improve in the pool as well.
"Having a brother to practice with all the time is nice. Especially someone who is stronger and older than me, I think that definitely helps me become a better player physically and mentally. Also, Evan being there to support me and help me adjust after making a mistake is an added bonus of having a brother there."
Emily currently plays for SOCAL Water Polo in Tustin, CA, a non-profit club that was founded in 1987 to develop the water polo skills of young athletes. She joined the club from Riverside when she was around 12 years old and currently plays for Andrew Rowe - the associate head coach at UC Irvine Women's Water Polo. Earlier this year, however, Emily joined the U.S. Women's Senior National Team at the FINA Intercontinental Cup in Lima, Peru.
"Stepping up to play at the Senior level was one of my goals and a great opportunity. It was amazing to be with great teammates, such as Amanda Longan who was on the last Olympic team, [and to] have like-minded people around you who will push you to be your best so when you go out and play other countries, you are prepared."
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As Emily mentioned, the young team in Peru was led by 2020 Olympic Gold Medalist Amanda Longan. Longan was the most experienced athlete on the roster by far and used that knowledge to help keep the younger athletes loose ahead of a match. Emily said Longan would remind the team of the time they all put in to be ready for the moment and to remember that this is just a game, so have some fun while you compete at the highest level.
"Amanda was not only an amazing teammate in the water, [she] was also a leader outside of that. She didn't treat us like little kids, she treated us equally - like a teammate," Emily explained. "That really helped us all come together and build team chemistry, especially with the little time we had together. Her encouragement and positive attitude made it amazing to have her [there]."
Emily scored in every match Team USA played at the FINA Intercontinental Cup, leading the team in scoring twice. With four goals against Colombia, three goals against Cuba, five goals against Brazil, one goal against Argentina, one goal against Canada, and two goals against Australia, she totaled 16 goals in Peru as Team USA earned the Bronze Medal.
Now back home and in her junior year of high school, Emily has her sights set on the next chapter in her career.
"I am definitely looking to play Division 1 in college and make more National teams, whether it's Youth or Junior or hopefully Senior team, so I can gain more experience and become a better water polo player. One of my long-term goals is to become an Olympian as soon as possible. [Being] given an opportunity to train at that high level and push myself would be amazing."
While the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles is on the horizon, Emily is focused on her immediate future and what she has to do to reach her ultimate goal.
"I will definitely be going to all the National team trainings and working on all the things I need to become a better player. Outside of the pool, strength training to get stronger, and inside the pool, trying to get faster and smarter."
With a natural work-ethic like that, it may be sooner rather than later that we see Emily Ausmus back with the U.S. Women's Senior National Team.
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