Birthdate: August 21, 1973
Birthplace: Rexburg, Idaho
Height: 6-1
Weight: 175
Hometown: Green River, WY
Education: San Diego State '02
Occupation: Student

The quiet woman

Two-meter defender Heather Moody speaks softly, but she's a big defensive presence. And although she's not a scorer, Moody is known for her smart play in the pool. In 1998, she played in her first World Championships. Olympic coach Guy Baker says she is one of the team’s best defenders, albeit short on confidence. Moody does not dispute the confidence issue. She is not vocal in the pool or with teammates, but says she is loud at home.

Water polo to fill the time

Originally a swimmer, Moody turned to water polo as an off-season training diversion. She went to high school at Manzano High School in Albuquerque, N.M., before heading to San Diego State. She led the Aztecs to a third-place finish at the 1996 NCAA tournament. Her best friend is Olympic Team alternate Rachel Scott.

History

Competition Highlights: International 2000 Olympic Qualification Tournament, Palermo, Sicily 2nd Place 2000... Thetis Cup, Athens, Greece 2nd Place 1999... Holiday Cup, Los Alamitos, CA 3rd place 1999.. Pan American Games, Winnipeg, Canada 2nd place 1999.... FINA World Cup, Montreal Canada 6th place 1999.... Hunguest Cup, Sepron, Hungary 4th place 1999..... Canada Cup, Montreal, Canada 1st place 1998..... Holiday Cup, Los Alamitos, California 2nd place 1998.... World Championships, Perth, Australia 8th place 1997..... FINA World Cup, Nancy, France 7th place 1996..... Olympic Year Tournament, Emmen, Netherlands 7th place National 1998.... Summer Nationals, Annapolis, Maryland 5th place 1998.... Winter Nationals, Federal Way, Washington 5th place 1997..... Summer Nationals, Novato, California 1st place 1997.... Winter Nationals, Novato, California 2nd place 1996.... Collegiate Nationals, Davis, California 3rd place 1995.... U.S. Olympic Festival, Colorado Springs, Colorado 3rd place 1994..... U.S. Olympic Festival, St. Louis, Missouri 1st place 1993..... U.S. Olympic Festival, San Antonio, Texas

Personal

Made her first world championship appearance in 1998 in Perth, Australia...Helped lead Modesto/Stanislaus to the 1997 summer nationals title...A four-time U.S. Olympic Festival medal winner... earned a gold medal at the 1994 USOF...Helped San Diego State to a third place finish at the 1996 collegiate nationals...Prepped at Manzano High School in Albuquerque, N.M....Swam for Duke City Aquatics in Albuquerque...Started playing water polo to stay in shape between swim seasons...Lists her family and coaches Brent Bohlender, Rob Locke and Steve Killpack as having the biggest influences on her career.