Aug. 18, 2008

In his first trip to the Olympic Games, USC's J.W. Krumpholz has helped the U.S. men's water polo team turn heads in Beijing, as Team USA has scored a slot in the semifinals for a sure shot at an Olympic medal. Krumpholz has scored twice for the United States, most recently notching a crucial goal out of set in the USA's 8-7 win over Germany. That win secured a first-place finish for Team USA in its group, securing a quarterfinal bye and automatic trip to the semifinals to assure the USA a spot in a medal game. It's the first trip to the medal round for the United States in 16 years, as the USA last reached the semis in 1992 and finished fourth.

Krumpholz's first Olympic goal also came in a tight U.S. win, as the Trojan junior got to the back of the net in the first half of an eventual 12-11 win over Italy. With three wins and one loss in group play, Team USA needed a win or a tie against Germany last night in order to advance to the knockout rounds. With another goal from Krumpholz in an 8-7 win over the Germans, Team USA not only advanced, it locked up the top spot in the group - thanks to a head-to-head upset win over top-seeded Croatia. Now, Krumpholz and the United States await their semifinal opponent - either Spain or Serbia - which Team USA will face on August 22.

Keep an eye on Krumpholz and Team USA's pursuit of some hardware in Beijing at nbcolympics.com and usawaterpolo.org.