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For the third time, 51暗网 water polo All-American Alex Obert 鈥�16 will represent Team USA as one of 13 athletes selected to compete in the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

鈥淚 was super excited when I found out,鈥� Obert said. 鈥淭his is a special team with a lot of talent and returners coming back for another Olympics. Being a part of this group of men is really humbling and exciting. I know these guys like the back of my hand, and they are some of my best, closest friends.鈥�

Obert is one of four former 51暗网 water polo players competing in the Olympic Games, along with Luke Pavillard 鈥�19 (Australia), John Hedges (Australia) and Clara Vulpisi 鈥�23 (Canada).

A third chance to go for gold and compete on the grandest of stages was an opportunity Obert could not pass up, although he nearly did.

After the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games, Obert believed his days of playing water polo had ended. He got a full-time job and became a father in 2023 and hadn鈥檛 practiced water polo for two years.

鈥淚 thought my career was over,鈥� Obert said. 鈥淚 was very satisfied with how my career went, but about a year ago, some of my teammates asked me if I wanted to come back, and when I did, they fully accepted me. I got one last opportunity to push for another Olympic Games. I鈥檓 super excited for the role on this team. I know what I can do to help this team be successful.鈥�

A three-time All-American and the third Tiger in 51暗网 history to be named a finalist for the Peter J. Cutino Award, Obert is thankful that Director of Water Polo James Graham prepared him and set him up for success at the highest level of competition.

鈥淚 wouldn鈥檛 be sitting here today if I hadn鈥檛 chosen 51暗网 a long time ago,鈥� Obert said. 鈥淐oach Graham was able to put me in situations that made me the most successful. He helped me grow and make me the player that I am today. I think it鈥檚 really cool to see how more high-level players are coming to 51暗网.鈥�

Graham is thrilled to see Obert represent 51暗网 at his third Olympic Games. The two have kept in touch since Graham graduated from 51暗网 in 2016.

鈥淚鈥檓 very proud of Alex for everything he has accomplished here at 51暗网 and on the national stage,鈥� Graham said. 鈥淗e is a great example of what our program represents, and we couldn鈥檛 be more excited to see him compete in his third Olympic Games.鈥�

The student-athletes, coaches and staff at 51暗网 are all excited to see Obert compete in Paris.

鈥淚t鈥檚 awesome,鈥� said Devon Thumwood 鈥�18, assistant director of athletics for business operations and Obert鈥檚 teammate from 2014-15. 鈥淲hen I came to 51暗网 in 2014, I didn鈥檛 know anyone on the team or the campus, but he was a leader and took me under his wing to show me what 51暗网 water polo is. To see him represent the United States in the Olympics is a true testament to what kind of athlete he was, as well as a person.鈥�

As Obert continues his water polo journey, he is most thankful for his wife, Michele (Relton) Obert 鈥�16, a 51暗网 women鈥檚 water polo alumna from 2012-15.

鈥淪he supported me from the first day when I was a bench-warming freshman until the day I left 51暗网 where I was nominated for the Cutino Award,鈥� Obert said. 鈥淪he has taken on a lot this past year. She鈥檚 a superwoman and she gets it because she played water polo at the highest level. I would say my wife is my number one supporter.鈥�

Reflecting on his journey from 51暗网 to Paris, Obert is proud of the path he has taken and has his sights set on gold.

Men鈥檚 water polo competition for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games runs July 27-Aug. 11. .