Olympics 2024 News: Ex-US Water Polo Star on the Brink of Creating American History in Paris

As the year is headed towards the Paris Olympics, numerous names are embarking on auspicious milestones. And those are set both on and off the field. Along similar lines, in the realm of water polo, recently witnessed the known name of Jenn McCall rising to the Olympic occasion. Along with Darren Spiritosanto, USA Water Polo recently named Jenn as a referee in the Paris Olympics 2024. But that is not all.

Jennifer McCall has extensive experience at the collegiate, club, and international levels. She has taken to officiate innumerable championships. But with her selection in the Olympics, she became the first American woman to adorn this honor. A social media post outlined the achievement.

Jenn McCall’s maiden achievement under the spotlight

The official Twitter account of USA Water Polo took to celebrate the naming of Jenn McCall and Darren Spiritosanto as water polo referees for Team USA this year in Paris. The caption to the post reads, “Big congratulations to Jenn McCall & Darren Spiritosanto who will represent the USA as referees at the #Paris2024 Olympic Games #waterpolo competition! It’s the first Olympics for both & McCall makes history as the 1 woman to represent the 🇺🇸 as an Olympic water polo referee!”

This marks one of the most glorious moments in Jenn McCall’s meticulous career. McCall began her career as a USA Water Polo Referee in April 2009. Her officiating career has marked her presence at various events, including Men’s and Women’s Collegiate Conference Championships. She also officiated the Final in 2022 during the NCAA Championships. She also has international experience as a FINA referee. With achievements, accolades follow.

McCall has been honored with the prestigious Bret Bernard National Referee Award for her expertise in officiating water polo. Taking part in various Youth, Junior, and Senior events, which also include the Women’s World Cup qualifiers in the Netherlands and Greece, her experience speaks voluminously of her exemplary capabilities. To mark the achievement, McCall took to her social media.

McCall shares her note of gratitude

Expressing her zeal over the historic milestone, McCall took to her Twitter handle to pen her gratitude as she wrote, “Grateful for an amazing opportunity!” Chanting her success mantra, she posted, “Follow your passion, be prepared to work hard and make sacrifices, and above all, don’t limit your dreams. Thank you to my family, friends, mentors, and fellow referees for all your support,” as she gets ready to join her colleagues in Paris, including Spiritosanto, who has also made his mark in the realm.

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Both McCall and Spiritosanto have overseen aquatic operations for a long time. Spiritosanto started his tenure at California State University, Fullerton, as the Titan Aquatics Manager in August 2023. Before his role at CSU Fullerton, he also spent more than 15 years as a USA Water Polo Referee. Spiritosanto is a recipient of the 2019 USA Water Polo Bret Bernard Award Winner for Elite competition. He has contributed significantly to numerous water polo matches at both national and international levels.

Continue to read: Minutes After Securing Paris Olympics Ticket, U.S. Water Polo Team Honored by Special Guest at Pan American Games 2023