Rachel Riddell showed she is one of world's top young goaltenders as she helped Canada win the gold medal last summer at the women's world junior water polo championships, which were held in Calgary. It was the first time Canada has ever won gold at the event. The Canadians were eighth at the previous world juniors in 2001 and second in 1999. They beat the Americans, the defending champions, in the final. Riddell made a key save in the shootout in the championship game to set the stage for Canada's winning goal.

She has gained a lot of experience at the senior level as well. She was a member of Canada's team at the last two world aquatic championships and last year's Pan Am Games.

Her father Robert played three years for the University of Manitoba hockey team. She studies and also plays water polo at Loyola Marymount University in southern California. Two more Canadians including Olympic teammate Christine Robinson will join Riddell at LMU this fall.

In 2003 as a true freshman, Riddell became one of the best goalies in collegiate water polo as she became the first freshman in LMU women's water polo to earn All-American honors. Riddell led the team to 24 wins, then a program best, and set the program record with a goals against average of 4.22 per game.

Riddell did not play with the Lions in 2004 as she spent the year training with Team Canada as they qualified for the 2004 Olympics.

Good luck to Rachel and the rest of her teammates this August!