WATCH WOMEN OF THE WATER

Irvine, CA - September 2 - USA Water Polo is honored to receive a 2026 Regional Sports Emmy Award nomination for "Women of the Water: An Olympic Journey." The series, which chronicles the journey for the U.S. Olympic Women's Water Polo Team to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, aired first on the FanDuel Sports Network. The producing trio of Suzi Mellano, Greg Mescall and Sherie Key are nominated for their work on the series which debuted in the Mid-America region and later moved to YouTube after an exclusive run on FanDuel Sports Network. This is the first-ever Emmy nomination in USA Water Polo history, winners will be announced on October 24 in Overland Park, Kansas. For more information on the Mid-America Emmy nominees, click here.

"There has always been so much more to this process than chasing gold medals," said Adam Krikorian, head coach of the US women's national team at the time of the series release.  "For years I've wanted people to hear the stories, see the personalities, and learn the lessons that make our journey so special."

The US women entered the summer of 2024 as three-time Olympic champions, an unprecedented run of excellence. While the team ultimately placed fourth in Paris, viewers discovered the profound dedication these athletes had to the game, their incredible determination to navigate the journey, and the unbreakable bonds formed in the face of adversity.

"Coming up just short of our goal was disappointing," Krikorian said, referring to the result in Paris, "but it doesn't take away from the accomplishments [these players] did achieve, the relationships they built, or the impact they've had on our communities. This team and these women – along with those that came before them – are truly legends of our sport."

The series was shot during a 10-month span, beginning in early 2024, when an Olympic berth was already secured and expectations were building. As the team plotted its path to Paris, "Women of the Water" also explored the stories of key figures who made a major impact on the program. To watch the entire series on-demand on USA Water Polo YouTube channel, click here.

About USA Water Polo
USA Water Polo, Inc., is the national governing body for water polo in America, overseeing our United States Olympic program as well as 20 championship events annually, such as Junior Olympics and Masters National Championships. With over 40,000 members, USAWP also is the sanctioning authority for more than 500 member clubs and more than 400 tournaments nationwide. USAWP is committed to the development of the sport throughout the U.S., fostering grass-roots expansion while providing a national system of affiliated clubs, certified coaches, and officials. For more information, visit www.usawaterpolo.org