LBCC women’s water polo coach became the assistant coach of the Team USA Olympic women’s water polo due to his success at the collegiate level and stint in the Olympic team himself.
Chris Oeding managed to get the Vikings to the finals from 2003 to 2010 winning three of those championships and also winning two Olympic finals in both Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.
Oeding grew up playing most sports, his ultimate goal was soccer, but since he needed a fall sport he followed his brother’s footsteps and pursued waterpolo.
His high school coach at the time made sure that Oeding kept pursuing the sport due to his capabilities, so he played all four years in high school and four years at UC Berkeley, where Oeding committed.
“I enjoyed it, I was at the right place at the right time with a good young upcoming coach who saw something in me that I didn’t see at the time,” said Oeding.
While at UC Berkeley, Oeding studied political studies but didn’t want to pursue law, he knew that he wanted to teach in some aspect so he minored in education.
In 1996 and 2000, Oeding played with the national team for the Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia and Sydney, Australia.
After graduating, Oedeing becomes the freshman coach for UC Berkeley, where he learns more of the ins and outs of coaching.
After moving to SoCal, Oeding joined the coaching staff at his old high school in Newport but realized that isn’t the kind of level he wants to coach. Oeding took a job at Orange Coast College as a part time coach for men’s water polo, where he got a taste of community college coaching.
“After a year, I quickly realized that highschool wasn’t the level I wanted to coach because of parental involvement,” said Oeding.
LBCC in need of a coach then reached out to Oeding. He took the job because according to Oeding this level of coaching comes with student athletes with a purpose.
“There is a reason why they’re here, whether it’s athletics and trying to get to that next level to be able to play at a four year school or its academics and they need a little extra support to be able to go on and get their degree, but whatever it is, there is a quality to that that I really enjoy,” said Oeding.
Currently, with LBCC in the midst of their season and the Olympics coming up for Paris 2024, Oeding juggles preparation for both teams at the same time.
The Olympic team comes over to the LBCC facility to train and practice, where it gives Oeding the chance to be around the team as much as he can.
Coach Chris Oeding guides water polo team during practice that takes place from 1-3 p.m. Oeding is the current coach at LBCC for the women’s water polo team. Oeding has a long olympic history with competing in it as well as coaching water polo. (Michelle Cardenas)
At this time, Odeing dedicates more of his time with the LBCC team to finish off the season as strong as they can, and once that is done then he will be able to be with his Olympic team full time.
The girls learn a lot when being coached by Oeding, as an athlete and as a person.
“I’ve learned to take pride in anything I do,” said sophomore goalie Danielle Sgnotz after being asked what she has learned from Oeding so far. “No matter whether it is inside or outside of the pool. Always being physically and mentally ready no matter what’s going on. Just always being ready for what’s going on next. As well as having fun, being able to connect with others, and putting yourself out there. Be a good friend, player, and teammate. Take pride in anything and everything, even if it’s not going the way you’d like.” said sophomore goalie Danielle Sgnotz after being asked what she has learned from Oeding so far.
Odeing’s players said they have learned a lot about being empowered, staying encouraged, and to ask for help when needed.
“(Odeing) is someone with a lot of knowledge and I believe that I’ll never stop learning things from him. He has always encouraged us to step up to challenges every single day because when you’re not struggling you’re not improving,” said utility player Sharon Vargas.
Oeding has a few core values when it comes to being a coach, but his main one would be authenticity. He helps these women to take ownership not only in themselves, but also in their teams too.
Trust is another core value of Oeding. He believes that there needs to be a connection established within the team and without it the team will fall out of place.
Odeing hopes to instill some of his core values into his athletes so they can continue to uphold those values after their athletic career in any ventures they choose.
“To be able to take on any challenge and hopefully we’ve given them the tools and that no mountain is too high to climb. And if they feel moments of weakness, we are always here for them,” said Oeding.
Currently, Odeing and his team have upcoming season games throughout this fall. After the season, he will be working with his national team to prepare for the Olympics that will be happening in 2024 in Paris, France.