Not too long ago, Jamie Neushul sat at one of the tables in the Ranchero Room with her Dos Pueblos High water polo teammates, eating enchiladas and listening to the local coaches speak at the Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table Press Luncheon.

On Monday, she made a return visit to the first press luncheon of the new school year at Harry Plaza’s Cafe and was wearing an Olympics gold medal.

Neushul and San Marcos alum Paige Hauschild were members of the U.S. Women’s Water Polo Team that won the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics two weeks ago. It was the third straight Olympics championship for Team USA, and all three winning teams included players from Santa Barbara.

Jamie’s older sister Kiley, Kami Craig (Santa Barbara High alum) and Sami Hill (Dos Pueblos alum) won gold in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, and Craig captured her first gold medal in 2012 in London.

Jamie described the environment of competing in an Olympic Games during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The Games were a little different, obviously,” she said. “I watched the Games in Rio when my sister was there and the crowds were awesome and the stands were full, and there was so much energy around the village and everything.

“This time it was obviously different with COVID, as we were restricted in our movement. We couldn’t leave the village, and there were no fans in the stands, which was bizarre because you could literally hear everything that everyone was saying during the games and stuff, which never happens.”

Even the medals ceremony felt a bit strange.

“When we stood up on the podium and got our medals (which the individual players placed around the teammate they were standing next to), there are pictures that are kind of funny. It’s just empty stands behind us and we’re in these like bionic masks that Team USA provided for us, which were a little ridiculous,” she said.

The experience, however, was still incredible.

“Obviously I don’t know any better because it was my first Olympics, but it really didn’t take away from how special that moment was for me and just how special that entire thing was for all of us,” Neushul said.

“I’m sure, as you all know, we’ve had to learn how to make the most out of this situation, especially with sports, and keep them going.”

Neushul said she and Paige and goalkeeper Amanda Longan, who played youth water polo for the Santa Barbara 805 club, felt the support from Santa Barbara while they were battling for the gold medal in Tokyo.

“It’s really cool to be here today and just share this with all of you. Thank you for support us on that journey.”