For Immediate Release:

Media Contact:
Greg Mescall
714-500-5455
gmescall@usawaterpolo.org   

Huntington Beach, Calif. – October 4, 2010 – Twelve members of the top water polo team in the world - the USA Women’s National Team - are set to appear on one of six covers and inside the pages of ESPN The Magazine’s “Body Issue,” on newsstands Friday, October 8. The issue, a celebration and exploration of the athletic form in artistic nude photography, will feature, among others, three-time Olympian Heather Petri (Orinda, CA/NYAC), along with fellow Olympians Betsey Armstrong (Ann Arbor, MI/NYAC), Elsie Windes (Portland, OR/PNW United), Kelly Rulon (Point Loma, CA/NYAC) and Lauren Wenger (Long Beach, CA/NYAC).

Twelve women in total took part in the shoot that was held prior to the team’s summer competition that saw them earn Gold Medals at the FINA World League Super Final and FINA World Cup, maintaining their number one world ranking for the second straight year.

Joining the aforementioned women in the magazine are Lolo Silver (Long Beach, CA/NYAC), Anne Belden (Newport Beach, CA/Bruin), Emily Feher (Santa Ana, CA/NYAC), Forel Davies (Carlsbad, CA/SD Shores), Erika Figge (Santa Margarita, CA/SET), Courtney Mathewson (Anaheim Hills, CA/NYAC), and Tanya Gandy (San Diego, CA/SD Shores).

Here is what some of those taking part in this issue had to say:

“I was apprehensive at first but after thinking about it, I knew that we had the opportunity to showcase a truly healthy, and athletic female body. It's important for younger girls to recognize how much hard work and dedication that goes into being an elite athlete. So many times there are negative stereotypes that are attached to athletic women and the Body Issue is a great way to break it. I was honored to be a part of the shoot and I'm excited to see how it turns out!” Anne Belden, 2010 World Cup Gold Medalist.

“I never thought in a million years I'd pose naked in a national magazine.  What finally convinced me was the whole idea behind the Body Issue, and the caliber of athletes who have previously posed for the issue.  I put a lot of work into this body throughout my water polo career in a lot of ways and it's nice to see a major publication celebrating athletic bodies.  It's also quite an honor to pose in a magazine that has had great athletes such as Serena Williams and Dwight Howard pose as well.” Lolo Silver, 2010 World Cup Gold Medalist

"This opportunity to pose respectfully naked for ESPN The Magazine has allowed us to showcase our muscular, fit bodies. Water polo bodies come in so many different sizes and shapes and it was amazing to express them through a phenomenal, classy, naked photo shoot. It was an honor to also allow us to bring to light to readers the game of water polo. Our sport is continually growing and it's nice to get our sport out through text and photos! Female bodies are beautiful but female water polo bodies are the best!" Lauren Wenger, 2008 Olympic Silver Medalist

Prior to the release of The Magazine, a companion show for the Body Issue will air on October 4, 2010 at 7pm EST on ESPN2 and ESPN’s E:60 will feature a behind-the-scenes look at the making of ESPN The Magazine’s Body Issue, October 5, 7pm on ESPN.

The cover image is available via http://espnmediazone3.com/rs/?c=1863&k=3783f3ce13 for media usage download; please use photo credit provided.

For any media inquires in regards to the water polo athletes appearing in ESPN The Magazine’s “Body Issue” please contact Greg Mescall at gmescall@usawaterpolo.org or via phone at 714-500-5455.  For questions about ESPN The Magazine’s “Body Issue” please contact Crystal Howard at crystal.howard@espn.com.

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 different championship events annually, such as Junior Olympics and Masters Championships. With more than 35,000 members, USAWP is also the sanctioning authority for more than 500 tournaments nationwide. USAWP is committed to the development of the sport nationwide. It fosters grass-roots expansion of the sport, providing a national system of affiliated clubs, certified coaches and officials.