Five Cardinal Fuel Team USA's Four-Peat Bid

LOS ANGELES - Stanford women's water polo will once again have a distinct presence among the United States Olympic Team, with five players leading the charge for a fourth straight gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris, France.

Jenna Flynn, Ryann Neushul, Jordan Raney, Jewel Roemer and Maggie Steffens were named on Thursday to Team USA's 13-member squad, which has won three consecutive gold medals after winning it all in Tokyo (2020), Rio (2016) and London (2012).

The only country to medal in every Olympic Games featuring women's water polo, the United States has long been regarded as the world's top program. Team USA, which has also won silver twice (2008, 2000) and bronze (2004), heads to Paris as the top-ranked team in the world returning to form at the World Championships in Doha earlier this year with a gold medal finish. Team USA earned their Olympic berth with a gold medal at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile.

Team USA's success can be largely attributed to the long-standing impact of Cardinal affiliates spanning the last six Olympiads. Stanford has been well represented with at least two Olympians in every tournament, including at least four competitors in 2020, 2016 and 2012. At the Tokyo Games in 2020, the Cardinal's five-player contingent accounted for 44.0 percent of Team USA's scoring while contributing 48 of its 109 total goals.

Steffens (team captain) is once again the centerpiece, seeking her fourth career Olympic gold medal. Flynn, Neushul, Raney and Roemer are making their Olympic debuts. Considered the best water polo player on the planet, Steffens is back for an unprecedented fourth straight attempt at gold, a feat no men's or women's water polo nation has ever accomplished.

Stanford's five Olympians have combined to produce 11 NCAA championships, six MPSF titles and 15 All-America honors. Additionally, Steffens was named ACWPC Player of the Year in 2015 and 2017.

Flynn, Neushul and Roemer took a leave of absence and redshirt year in 2024 while training and competing with Team USA in preparation for the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.

The Cardinal boasts 14 Olympians in school history leading into the 2024 Paris Games, with the 10-nation women's water polo tournament slated for July 27-Aug. 11.

2020 Tokyo Games (played in Summer 2021 due to COVID-19 global pandemic)

2016 Rio Games

* Aria Fischer had just completed her junior year of high school and won a gold medal with the United States in Rio before she signed her National Letter of Intent.

2012 London Games

2008 Beijing Games

2004 Athens Games

2000 Sydney Games

1992 Barcelona Games