July 15, 5:00 PM | The Highest Level - Learning from Olympians

At the Highest Level

Learning from UCI Olympians Competing for Team USA

Panel Discussion followed by

Q&A with Audience in Breakout Rooms

Thursday, July 15 @ 5:00 PM

Introduction by Ofer Horn

Former UCI Men's Water Polo Player

Providence Capital Funding, CFO & Operations Manager

Moderated by Professor Robert Uriu

Associate Professor, Political Science

Spotlight Speakers:

Omar Amr, '97

Team USA Men's Water Polo, '04

Omar played for the United States national team at the 2004 Summer Olympics. At UCI he was a twice a second-team All-American selection in 1995 and 1996 and an honorable mention All-American selection in 1994, while receiving his degree in biology. While training for the Olympics, Amr attended Harvard Medical School, and would make weekend trips from Boston to Orange County to train with his teammates. The US team finished seventh at the Athens Olympic Games.

Genai Kerr, '01

Team USA Men's Water Polo, '04

Genai was a member of the United States Men's National Water Polo Team for 12 years and played in the 2004 Athens Olympics, 2003 & 2007 Pan American Gold Medal games, and multiple World Championships. He received a water polo scholarship to UC Irvine to play under Coach Ted Newland. Genai went on to become a NCAA All-American in 1998 and 1999 and was awarded Big West Conference Male Scholar Athlete of the Year his senior year.

Dan Klatt, '01

Team USA Men's Water Polo, '04,

Coach, Team USA Women's Water Polo '12, '16, '21

Dan Klatt is entering his 17th season in 2021 as head coach of the UC Irvine women's water polo team with a 326-165 record. He was a member of the 2004 U.S. Olympic Water Polo team that competed in the Athens Games. He is a 2001 graduate of UC Irvine where he was named All-America in 1998. Lives in Irvine with wife Natalie and twin sons Skyler and Luke.

Rick Merlo, '05

Team USA Men's Water Polo, '08 Silver Medal

Rick was a member of the United States men's national water polo team at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. In the championship game, the USA team won the silver medal. Merlo attended University of California, Irvine from 2001 to 2005, and played water polo under Ted Newland and Marc Hunt. Rick was First-Team All-American, First-Team All-MPSF, and Scholar Athlete in 2005, Third Team All-American and Second-Team All-MPSF in 2004

Jeff Powers, '03

Team USA Men's Water Polo, '04, '08, Silver Medal, '12

Jeff played water polo at UC Irvine under Ted Newland before joining USA Men's National Team. He made the Olympic team in 2004, 2008, and 2012. Jeff’s late goal against Serbia in the 2008 led to the semi-final win, assuring the team of its first medal in 20 years. Men's Water Polo earned Silver at the Beijing Olympics. He remains in the sport as a high school coach in addition to coaching with ODP alongside camps and clinics.

UCI School of Social Sciences