Weinberg Makes Olympic Debut

At 22, Adrian Weinberg, Class of 2019, has an impressive resume.

At a time when most student-athletes are preparing to hang up their swim trunks, Weinberg has already amassed enough experience to fill out a robust player bio sheet on USA Water Polo’s website.   

The Oaks Christian graduate’s accomplishments begin with a 2016 CIF-SS Division 3 title when he led the Lions to a 9-7 victory over Aliso Niguel. The former Lions’ goalie led OCS to the boys’ water polo lone CIF title.  

“He won a CIF title his junior year and we did it on his back,” said Oaks Christian Water Polo Coach Jack Kocur. “That’s because of everything he does for his teammates and how much he understands the game of water polo.”

Weinberg’s experience goes on to include three NCAA Division I National Championships playing for the University of California, Berkley. A 2023 Pan American games gold medal representing Team USA rounds out his list of championships.

When the XXXIII Olympiad begins this Friday with the opening ceremony, Weinberg will be able to add Olympian to the list as he marches in as a member of the USA Water Polo Senior Men’s Team.

“He’s turned that early success into an Olympic career,” Kocur said.

In the lead up to the Olympics Weinberg was in a position battle for the starting goalie spot with Drew Holland. The pair split time in a recent 10-9 victory over Greece.  

Weinberg’s Olympic career kicks off on July 28 when USA Water Polo takes on Italy.

However impressive the athletic accomplishments are, the 6-foot 5-inch Oaks Christian alum isn’t driven solely by success in sport.

“At Oaks Christian my relationship with Christ grew a lot,” he said from a hotel room in Slovenia ahead of the Olympics. “Being in that environment really helped me learn what it means to be a follower of Christ.”

With a further understanding of his faith, Weinberg says playing for Kocur helped him rise through the ranks of American water polo hopefuls.

“A big part of water polo is being able to understand and read the game and he's helped me so much in the aspect,” he said.

Kocur credits Weinberg’s success to his work ethic.

“He’s very intuitive in our game and he doesn’t overthink it,” Kocur said. “He was always wanting to watch video with me. In the pool, he was an extension of me as a coach, which isn’t very common.”

Kocur, who is also responsible for overseeing the pipeline program for USA Water Polo, says Weinberg is special because he maximizes his athletic and mental gifts.  

“Adrian might not be the perfect athlete, but he possesses the determination and will to compete and be his absolute best,” his former coach said. “He has a unique skillset, because a lot of players will be great physically, or great mentally. Adrian delivers both and it’s what makes him so special.”

Weinberg will be joined at the Olympics by Amanda Longan, Class of 2015. The pair represent a dynamic duo that once called Oaks Christian’s Sotelo Aquatic Center their home pool.

“I think it speaks volumes to who we are as people, but also to coach Kocur,” Weinberg said. “I guess he saw the potential in both of us, and he really worked on us as hard as he could.”

Kocur said seeing two of his former players on arguably the world’s biggest sports stage won’t sink in until the games begin.

“A goalie is a servant, you have to serve the team in being the backup and both of them do it perfectly,” Kocur said of both Longan and Weinberg. “It’s great to see them represent Oaks Christian in their faith and athleticism. I’m very pleased, but I’m waiting for those goosebump moments.”

Even though his former coach expects to have goosebumps, he’s aware that the Oylmpic stage will produce new challenges.

“There’s going to be some moments of him trying to figure it out,” Kocur said. “But I don’t have a doubt in my mind that he can compete at the highest level and help team USA get into the top four.”

Oaks Christian prepared Weinberg to effectively live out his faith. No matter how extensive his water polo resume continues to get, he knows where his joy comes from.  

“Understanding that win or lose my identity isn’t in my sport or how well I do. It’s in Jesus,” Weinberg said. “That gives me confidence and peace in a very hard time.”

Main Photo: USA Water Polo/Catharyn Hayne