LOS ALAMITOS — Maddie Musselman is again on cue as she prepares for her third consecutive Olympics with the U.S. women’s water polo team. She’s facing another challenge boldly and calmly.
The 26-year-old who once bypassed her senior season in high school to play in the Olympics, and later overcame shoulder surgery to become an Olympic MVP, is amid one of the storms of life.
Musselman’s husband Pat Woepse has a rare form of stage four lung cancer.
Some in the tight-knit, SoCal water polo community wondered if Musselman would turn down her roster spot for the Paris Olympics because of Woepse’s illness. Musselman had her own doubts about playing but she’ll not only be in the water for Team USA starting July 27 against Greece, she’ll be inspired by her husband’s stand against a scary disease.
“He is pushing me,” Musselman said. “You play for country. You play for your teammates but each individual person has their own journey and their own story to tell and you kind of mold those stories together to make your team.”
“My story is playing for Pat,” she added. “We’ll going to get through it.”
As Musselman talks after a recent practice at the Joint Forces Training Base, her wedding ring — which she removes when playing — is already back on her finger. It’s a sign of her motivation for the Paris Games, where the Americans are seeking a record fourth consecutive gold medal.
Musselman and Woepse were married last year on Sept. 30. The former UCLA and Orange County water polo players were engaged in June but moved up their wedding plans because of Woepse’s cancer diagnosis in mid-September.
Woepse, who played at Mater Dei, learned of his diagnosis shortly after completing the 21-mile English Channel swim on his 30th birthday on Aug. 10, 2023.
“He had a cough and we just didn’t know what it was,” Musselman recalled. “We thought it was like pneumonia or Bronchitis and he was taking medicine but he swam the channel and crushed the channel with stage four cancer.”
Musselman, who played at Corona del Mar, initially had reservations about proceeding with her Olympic career this summer.
She wondered how she could balance being a supportive partner with water polo.
“I’ve realized like, ‘Wow, life is so much more than sport’ and I wanted to be there to support (Pat),” Musselman said. “I (thought) I’m just not going to be able to do both.”
Musselman said she met with U.S. women’s coach Adam Krikorian, who offered his support and encouraged her to stick with Team USA. Woepse, meanwhile, provided clarity by setting a goal of attending the Games and watching Musselman play.
“As an athlete, I love watching her compete,” he said. “Each game along the way has been a small milestone for me to look forward to and it always gives me energy to watch the team play.”
“Maddie’s ability to take care of me at home and then train double-day practices to prepare for the Olympics is nothing short of extraordinary,” he added. “If she is able to do that then I can continue to fight through all my treatments.”
Woepse has undergone chemotherapy and radiation treatments, Musselman said, and is now participating in a clinical trial through the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. He received medical clearance to travel to Paris, where will be supported by friends and family, she added.Musselman has attended Woepse’s major medical appointments while continuing to train.
In the fall, Musselman dealt with a knee injury that she called a “blessing in disguise” because it allowed her more time to spend with Woepse.
“I felt like I had to come back (to play for Pat),” Musselman said. “My purpose (is) a lot different. My fire now is a lot different, especially when you have someone who is going through a way different experience than sport and water polo.”
“The Olympics are amazing,” she added, “but life is so precious.”
