Sept. 29, 2008

BERKELEY - Two former California women's water polo standouts, Heather Petri and Elsie Windes, won silver medals with the United States women's water polo team this August at the 2008 Olympics. Petri lettered at Cal from 1997-99 and returned to finish her degree and eligibility in 2001. The Orinda, Calif., native was Cal's 1999 and 2001 team captain and was second-team all-MPSF, MPSF Tournament first team and All-National first team in 1999. Petri earned her third Olympic medal this year after taking home a bronze medal in 2004 and silver in 2000. CalBears.com recently sat down with Petri to discuss her experiences in Beijing.

CalBears.com: What was the best part about the Olympics for you?
Petri: My favorite part of the Olympics - and has been for all three games I've played in - is participating in the opening ceremonies. I get the chills every time I think or talk about it. The experience of walking with all the other United States athletes into the Olympic stadium affects all of your senses at once. You feel it through your whole body like you are standing next to a huge speaker at a rock concert. Vibrations from the people screaming in the stands, the weight of the words heard over the loudspeaker as they announce our country's name, the heat from the lights, the excitement passing through all the athletes like electricity, all mixed with sky-high adrenaline. Simply amazing.

CalBears.com: What was one of the more difficult aspects of the Olympics, either athletically or personally?
Petri: It is always difficult for me to come home. Our team has trained together for so long. When you get back everyone is not on the same schedule anymore. It takes a while to adjust. A bit of separation anxiety, I suppose.

CalBears.com: What was the food like in Beijing? Did you get to experience some of its more exotic foods?
Petri: The food in the Olympic Village was great. They had a little of everything for people to eat. I always tried at least one of the Chinese dishes that they served every day. We do not have a strict diet to follow - it's more about getting enough calories to sustain your body during competition and staying hydrated in the heat. I did not try any of the more crazy options that you could find outside the village. Scorpion and beetle on a stick did not sound too appetizing to me!

CalBears.com: What was the experience of staying in the Olympic Village like?
Petri: Where do I start? Visually the Olympic Village in Beijing was incredible. I was blown away by the beauty of the landscaping. There were lush gardens and pools filled with flowers and golden accents adorning most of the architecture. In terms of amenities, there was anything you could dream of. All you had to do was ask one of the thousands of volunteers, and they would point you in the right direction. After the first few days, filled with awe and excitement, being surrounded by all these incredible athletes, the village felt comfortable and allowed you to focus on the competition at hand.

CalBears.com: Did you notice anything in particular about playing in the facilities in Beijing? How was it different or similar to past international and/or domestic play experiences?
Petri: Our team had the luxury of playing in the competition pool in March of 2008. They held a test event prior to the Olympic Games and having this experience allowed us to acclimate to the feel of the pool. So during the Olympics, the venue did not seem like anything out of the ordinary. Having that comfort is always nice in big competitions. It was an exciting venue to play in once all the fans were in the building because it seemed as if they were very close to the pool.

CalBears.com: How does this Olympic compare to your experiences in Sydney and Athens?
Petri: I don't like to compare them! Each experience is tied to the team of that quadrennial and the journey with them along the way. I think it is important to appreciate them all separately.