Water Polo: LBCC's Oeding, Mathewson going for gold with U.S. Olympic team

Long Beach City College's Olympic tradition continues this summer at the Rio 2016 games as long-time Viking water polo and swimming head coach Chris Oeding and former water polo assistant coach Courtney Mathewson look to capture a gold medal with the USA Women's Water Polo National Team.

Oeding joined Team USA in 2013 as a member of Adam Krikorian's coaching staff. The Rio games marks his first visit to the Olympics since his playing days as a member of the U.S. Men's National Team. Oeding competed in two Olympics, serving as team captain in 2000 in Sydney while also a member of the 1996 Atlanta games.

Since joining the staff of the women's national team, Oeding has helped guide the United State to championships in three straight FINA World League Super Final tournaments as well as a gold medal at the 2014 FINA World Cup.

While at LBCC, Oeding has led the Vikings to three men's state championships as well as three women's state titles. Over 14 seasons, he has compiled a  342-96-1 overall (.781 winning percentage) in men's competition and a 353-103-0 (.774) mark in women's action.

Mathewson joined Oeding's Long Beach staff for two seasons, starting in 2012 following the United State's gold medal performance at the London Summer Olympics. Mathewson joined Team USA in 2009 and most recently was named the tournament MVP at the 2016 FINA World League Super Final.

Mathewson has scored four goals over USA's first three group play games in Rio. The U.S. took first in its group with a 3-0 record and advances to the quarterfinals on Monday (Aug. 15) against host Brazil. USA is just three wins away from earning its second straight Olympic gold medal.