Trojan Great Lauren Wenger Inducted Into USA Water Polo Hall of Fame
June 10, 2019 | Women's Water Polo, Features
Already a USC Hall-of-Famer, Wenger also is the first USC woman to earn a spot in the USA’s history books.
An NCAA champion, Peter J. Cutino Award winner and two-time Olympic medalist — just to name a few — Lauren Wenger Trapani has become the first USC woman to be named to the USA Water Polo Hall of Fame. Wenger's storied career saw the all-around Trojan great reach the highest of heights in the collegiate and international water polo worlds. Already inducted into the USC Hall of Fame, Wenger was inducted into USA Water Polo's Hall of Fame as a member of its Class of 2019 this past weekend (June 7).Â
One of the most versatile players to ever cap up for the USA Women's National Team, utility Lauren Wenger did it all. At 6 feet, 3 inches tall, Wenger combined smothering defense in all areas of the pool with a long-armed attack on the offensive end — not to mention her ability to operate out of two meters. A native of Long Beach, Wenger went on to USC where she was a force for the Women of Troy. She earned Cutino Award honors in 2006 as the college game's top player and added an NCAA title to her resume in 2004. Wenger's 127 goals scored as a Trojan ranked her at No. 8 in USC's career scoring list. Over a decade later, she remains in the top-20 at Troy at No. 19 all-time.
While on the rise in collegiate waters, Wenger also progressed through the USA Water Polo National Team pipeline, earning a silver medal at the 2005Â World Championship. She served notice of her talents to the water polo world in 2007 when she earned MVP honors at the FINA World Championship while helping Team USAÂ to a Gold medal. A year later she reached her first Olympic podium, earning silver in Beijing.Â
She added a second World Championship in Rome in 2009 on the run-up to her greatest career achievement, the program's first Olympic gold medal at the 2012 London Games. In addition to her Olympic and World titles, Wenger added two Pan American victories and multiple World League crowns. No stranger to international club competition, Wenger also capped up with Olympiacos and Glyfada in Greece and Orizzonte in Italy.
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One of the most versatile players to ever cap up for the USA Women's National Team, utility Lauren Wenger did it all. At 6 feet, 3 inches tall, Wenger combined smothering defense in all areas of the pool with a long-armed attack on the offensive end — not to mention her ability to operate out of two meters. A native of Long Beach, Wenger went on to USC where she was a force for the Women of Troy. She earned Cutino Award honors in 2006 as the college game's top player and added an NCAA title to her resume in 2004. Wenger's 127 goals scored as a Trojan ranked her at No. 8 in USC's career scoring list. Over a decade later, she remains in the top-20 at Troy at No. 19 all-time.
While on the rise in collegiate waters, Wenger also progressed through the USA Water Polo National Team pipeline, earning a silver medal at the 2005Â World Championship. She served notice of her talents to the water polo world in 2007 when she earned MVP honors at the FINA World Championship while helping Team USAÂ to a Gold medal. A year later she reached her first Olympic podium, earning silver in Beijing.Â
She added a second World Championship in Rome in 2009 on the run-up to her greatest career achievement, the program's first Olympic gold medal at the 2012 London Games. In addition to her Olympic and World titles, Wenger added two Pan American victories and multiple World League crowns. No stranger to international club competition, Wenger also capped up with Olympiacos and Glyfada in Greece and Orizzonte in Italy.
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