BRIDGEPORT, Pa. – USA Women’s Senior National Team Goalkeeper and former University of Michigan standout Betsey Armstrong (2002-05) will be inducted into the Collegiate Water Polo Association Hall of Fame, the conference has announced. The ceremony to welcome Armstrong to this illustrious group will take place on Friday, April 25, in Ann Arbor at the conference awards banquet in conjunction with the 2008 CWPA Eastern Championship.
In May 2006, Armstrong earned a spot on the USA National Team following an open tryout. In just under two years with the squad, Armstrong has led Team USA to a gold medal at the XV Pan American Games -- securing the country's spot at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China -- and gold medal victories in both the FINA World League and FINA World Championships. At the World Championships, Armstrong was recognized as the tournament’s Most Outstanding Goalkeeper.
Prior to her time on the national team she spent four seasons tending the cage for the Wolverines, leading the team to four divisional titles and two NCAA tournament appearances, including a sixth-place finish at the 2005 NCAA Championship. She wrapped up her U-M career as the program leader in blocks (1,267), minutes (3,329), goals against average (5.64) and save percentage (.654). She also holds the top four Michigan single-season blocks totals and three of the top five spots on the single-season save percentage and GAA lists.
During her career with the Maize and Blue, Armstrong racked up a pair of divisional Most Valuable Player accolades (2003-04) and four CWPA All-Division First Team honors (2002-05). Armstrong excelled at the Eastern Championship, earning two MVP honors (2003, '05) as part of three All-Eastern Championship first team nominations (2002, 2004-05). On the national level, she earned All-America recognition in each season, making the second team in 2004, third team in 2005 and honorable mention in her first two campaigns at Michigan.
A product of Ann Arbor Huron High School, Armstrong was the Michigan water polo program's first in-state recruit