Natalie (Golda) Benson to Be Inducted into USA Water Polo Hall of Fame
An integral part of two Olympic medal-winning squads for Team USA at the 2004 (Bronze) and 2008 (Silver) Olympic Games, Benson powered the United States to three FINA World Championship medals (2003, 2005, 2007), including two gold medals. The 2003 FINA World Championship followed a 2001 FINA Junior World Championship title, both were firsts in program history.
She joined the Senior National Team in the midst of a dominant college career. In her four seasons at UCLA, Benson guided the Bruins to three NCAA championships. In a collegiate career stocked with awards and accolades her most impressive season came in 2005. After red-shirting the 2004 season to compete in the Olympics, Benson (then Golda) returned to lead UCLA to an undefeated season (33-0) and another NCAA crown while earning Cutino Award honors as the top player in the college game. She added national and conference player of the year honors to an All-America selection.
Benson remains active in the game today as Head Coach of the Marist College Women's Water Polo Team and as a coach in the Women's National Team pipeline where she led the Women's Youth National Team to gold at the 2013 Youth Pan American Games.
In other news, Rich Corso, 60, a former UCLA swimming and water polo coach also will be enshrined. Corso currently serves as the head coach of the California women’s water polo program.
For more information regarding the induction ceremony, click here.