Tara Prentice's Olympic Dream Becomes Reality This Summer In Paris
For first-time U.S. Olympian and Temecula native Tara Prentice, the excitement is palpable. The opportunity to represent Team USA is a dream come true.
"I think it's going to be really exciting to represent the United States in Europe. The Olympics were also in Paris in 1924 so it's the 100-year reunion in a sense and I know for us collectively, we're super excited to represent Team USA."
This is Prentice's second time spending an Olympic quad with the U.S. national team, narrowly missing the cut for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics when the women won a third straight gold medal.
"Looking at the history of this team being three-time Olympic champions, for us newcomers we are trying to continue that legacy but also enjoy our own journey. We want to repeat that success but do it in our own way," Prentice said. "Through values like resiliency, togetherness, and connection we really want to make the most of it and enjoy one another but also enjoy playing at the highest level together."
The leader of this program, head coach Adam Krikorian, has pushed it to new heights since his arrival in 2009.
"Adam does a really good job pushing each individual. Sometimes each individual needs different things and it can be tough in the moment but he's not here to be our friend, he's here to be our coach. He knows the standard that we need to reach and the level that we can reach. I think he does a really good job connecting with us outside the water as well," Prentice explained. "[He] makes sure to push us more than we think we can be pushed ourselves. He does a great job of making sure we try to reach that high level and setting the standard very high because he knows all of us collectively really want to win and we want to be the best we can be. You need a leader that's fearless…[and] that's for us to achieve those team goals and individual goals we all have."
While team goals are top of mind, Prentice has already accomplished a lot individually throughout her career. She starred at UC Irvine, where she rewrote the record books as the school's all-time leading scorer while earning two master's degrees, and has become the first Anteater to make an Olympic water polo roster.
"UCI was so great for me, I was able to pursue so many academic goals there. For me, with UCI not in the traditional top four schools, I really wanted to put UCI on the map and help anyway I can… I honestly have a lot of pride being from UCI and I hope it shows you can come from wherever. If you make the most of your moment, really try to connect with your teammates, and put yourself out there without being afraid of failure you can really be your authentic self and pursue any goal you have… There are so many people in that Anteater program that I really looked up to throughout the years."
When she dreams of becoming an Olympic champion, Prentice first thinks about her parents and their sacrifice while she was growing up to help her become the best possible version of herself.
"I just remember so many early mornings with car rides all over the place making sure I got to practice and to every tournament. I never had to worry about things like where my next meal was coming from or where I'm sleeping at night and I'm so thankful for my parents. They have been there for me through all the highs and lows… I know my mom would work super long shifts in the ER and still be at my 7:00am game the next morning. The love my parents had [for me] allowed me to engage in the love I have for this sport and realize the importance of community and supporting [those you love]… Making the Olympic team is a reflection of them [and everyone who has supported me]."
"I think it's going to be really exciting to represent the United States in Europe. The Olympics were also in Paris in 1924 so it's the 100-year reunion in a sense and I know for us collectively, we're super excited to represent Team USA."
This is Prentice's second time spending an Olympic quad with the U.S. national team, narrowly missing the cut for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics when the women won a third straight gold medal.
"Looking at the history of this team being three-time Olympic champions, for us newcomers we are trying to continue that legacy but also enjoy our own journey. We want to repeat that success but do it in our own way," Prentice said. "Through values like resiliency, togetherness, and connection we really want to make the most of it and enjoy one another but also enjoy playing at the highest level together."
The leader of this program, head coach Adam Krikorian, has pushed it to new heights since his arrival in 2009.
"Adam does a really good job pushing each individual. Sometimes each individual needs different things and it can be tough in the moment but he's not here to be our friend, he's here to be our coach. He knows the standard that we need to reach and the level that we can reach. I think he does a really good job connecting with us outside the water as well," Prentice explained. "[He] makes sure to push us more than we think we can be pushed ourselves. He does a great job of making sure we try to reach that high level and setting the standard very high because he knows all of us collectively really want to win and we want to be the best we can be. You need a leader that's fearless…[and] that's for us to achieve those team goals and individual goals we all have."
While team goals are top of mind, Prentice has already accomplished a lot individually throughout her career. She starred at UC Irvine, where she rewrote the record books as the school's all-time leading scorer while earning two master's degrees, and has become the first Anteater to make an Olympic water polo roster.
"UCI was so great for me, I was able to pursue so many academic goals there. For me, with UCI not in the traditional top four schools, I really wanted to put UCI on the map and help anyway I can… I honestly have a lot of pride being from UCI and I hope it shows you can come from wherever. If you make the most of your moment, really try to connect with your teammates, and put yourself out there without being afraid of failure you can really be your authentic self and pursue any goal you have… There are so many people in that Anteater program that I really looked up to throughout the years."
When she dreams of becoming an Olympic champion, Prentice first thinks about her parents and their sacrifice while she was growing up to help her become the best possible version of herself.
"I just remember so many early mornings with car rides all over the place making sure I got to practice and to every tournament. I never had to worry about things like where my next meal was coming from or where I'm sleeping at night and I'm so thankful for my parents. They have been there for me through all the highs and lows… I know my mom would work super long shifts in the ER and still be at my 7:00am game the next morning. The love my parents had [for me] allowed me to engage in the love I have for this sport and realize the importance of community and supporting [those you love]… Making the Olympic team is a reflection of them [and everyone who has supported me]."
