TEMPE- Four former Sun Devil water polo players are heading to the 2024 Paris Olympics after spending nearly one year competing in qualifying FINA Championships, Pan American Games, and European Championships dating back to July 2023. Bente and Lieke Rogge (Netherlands), Blaire McDowell (Canada), and Mia Rycraw (France) have all qualified for their first Olympic Games after earning spots on their home country’s 12-man Olympic rosters.
Rogge was a Sun Devil from 2017-2021 but took a year off after her junior season in 2019 to prepare for the 2020 Olympics with the Netherlands, though she ended up being the final roster cut ahead of the Tokyo Olympics. The Netherlands has earned an Olympic berth for the second straight Olympic Games after after defeating Spain 17-16 on penalties in the final at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka. It was the second time in history that the Dutch women have claimed the world title after they were Olympic champions in 2008.
Another Rogge sister, Lieke Rogge, has also qualified for the Netherlands Olympic team. Competing in her first Olympics, Rogge has her older sister to rely on. Rogge was a Sun Devil for one year during 2019, tallying an impressive 37 goals, four assists, 41 points, and 28 steals.
Blaire McDowell /// BSE, Mechanical Engineering, 2022
A first-time Olympics goer, Blaire McDowell, has qualified with Team Canada, who has earned a spot in the Olympic Games for the second consecutive games. McDowell was a Sun Devil from 2019-2022 totaling 66 goals, 54 assists, 120 points, and 108 steals after her four years before signing a professional contract with Tenerife Echeyde after graduation. She is familiar with the National team after having been invited to train with them in 2020 and has played in many different Pan-American Championships.
Mia Rycraw /// BA, Interdisciplinary Studies, 2018
Nothing gets past Mia Rycraw who is headed to her first Olympics to represent France after she moved to France in 2018 following graduation. Rycraw began playing for the French National Team last year, though she will head to Olympiacos when the Olympics conclude after recently signing a pro deal with the team.
A Sun Devil from 2014-2018, Rycraw still owns many records from her time at ASU. She finished her illustrious ASU career with 814 saves, becoming just the third Sun Devil and the 15th MPSF goaltender ever to reach 800 saves. During her senior season, she averaged 9.955 saves/game.
