Water Polo Guide - Chi Kredell

Chi Kredell

Position:     Driver
Height:       6'2"
Weight:       196
Birthdate:    2/16/71 in Long Beach, CA
Hometown:     Seal Beach, CA
Education:    Long Beach State (1993)

His full name is Craig "Chi" (pronounced Shy) Kredell. His nickname originated with his father, Ron, who grew up in Chicago and moved to southern California as a child. There were eight different "Rons" in his class so he became known as "The Chicago kid" because he was so soft-spoken. The name was shortened to "chi" as in "Chi-town." The name stuck and became his son's middle name.

Chi was named All-California swimmer and water polo player. He was on 1st Team All-American water polo player at Wilson High School in Long Beach. Now, he is fulfilling a life-long dream to play in the Olympics, an aspiration that was refueled when he saw the US play in the championship game in 1984 Los Angeles Games.

Since then, he has been driven by the desire to earn a place on the Olympic medal platform. His die-hard attitude extends to everything he does, including his devotion to Chicago sports teams. He is a starter on the 1996 Olympic team and he loves everything having to do with the ocean especially diving, surfing and fishing. Chi enjoys camping and surfing in Baja, CA.

Quick Facts

National Team member since 1993.
Competed in 99 international matches.
Number 5 scorer in Long Beach State history.

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Competition Highlights

1995:

World Cup, Atlanta, GA.
Pan American Games, Mar del Plata, Argentina, gold medal.

1994:

World Championships, Rome, Italy.
Goodwill Games, St. Petersburg, Russia.

1991:

World Jr. Championships, Corona del Mar, CA.
NCAA Championships, Long Beach, CA.

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