This Palisadian Will Be the Youngest Ever U.S. Olympian in Beach Volleyball

Miles Partain, 22, Is One of Several Olympians That Came Out of Pali High

By Zach Armstrong

Palisadian talent will represent the Red, White and Blue on the international stage next month.

Miles Partain, a professional beach volleyball player and former Pali High Dolphin, will represent Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games this Summer along with his partner, Andy Benesh. In addition to Partain becoming the youngest ever American Olympian for the sport, the Benesh/Partain duo are set to be the youngest U.S. men’s beach team in Olympic history, according to NBC Sports.

Partain, 22, is one of several Olympians that came out of Pali High, including Chris Marlowe, Ricci Luyties, Dave Saunders and Kent Steffes, as his website states.

The star athlete grew up in Pacific Palisades, having played in his first organized beach volleyball tournament on Will Rogers Beach at 10-years-old, his website states. During his tenure at Pali High, the Dolphins won three CIF City Section Championships, while Partain himself placed 3rd in the 2018 Junior Nationals and 5th in the 2019 Junior Nationals as a player for Pac6 volleyball club.​

After graduating valedictorian and a semester early from Pali High, Partain completed coursework at UCLA in March 2023 for a B.S. degree in Applied Math. He then trained full time with beach partner Benesh (who played four years for the USC Trojans’ indoor team and earned Volleyball Magazine’s 2023 AVP honors as its MVP, according to Partain’s website).

Benesh and Partain first teamed in a one-off in November 2019 while Partain was still a high school senior, according to NBC Sports. The pair won a one-day Southern California tournament. Although Benesh played with different partners while Partain went off to UCLA, Benesh “always kind of knew [he] wanted to play with Miles,” as he stated on a volleyball podcast. 

Last spring in a top-level international tournament, the pair finished third and were victorious in the next event, as reported by NBC Sports. In those events, they defeated Tokyo Olympic gold medalists Anders Mol and Christian Sorum of Norway.

Although American men won three of the first four Olympic beach volleyball tournaments in 1996, 2000 and 2008, they have not won a medal since, according to NBC Sports. Next month in Paris, Pertain and Benesh look to change that; as the former is already the youngest American to win a gold medal in a major FIVB event (Dubai 2022) and the youngest to win a gold medal in a NORCECA event (Jamaica 2019), as stated on Pertain’s website.

in News, Upbeat
Related Posts

(Video) Spending an Afternoon at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

Go To Pacpark.com For Tickets and More Information. Go To https://t.co/EeP5ZuEnF3 For Tickets and More Information.#amusementpark #rides #rollercoaster #summer #spring...

USC Launches Free Soil Testing to Assess Post-Fire Contamination

March 31, 2025

March 31, 2025

Residents Can Submit Samples to Check for Lead and Other Toxins A new program led by researchers at the University...

City Councilmembers Move to Update Wildfire Hazard Zones in Response to New State Maps

March 31, 2025

March 31, 2025

The motion calls to strengthen brush clearance laws, pointing to disparities between private property owners and state agencies In response...

Santa Monica Launches Public Search for New City Manager

March 31, 2025

March 31, 2025

Nationwide Job Posting Seeks Leader to Guide City’s Future The City of Santa Monica has officially launched a nationwide search...

“NYPD Blue” Actress Arrested on Assault Charges in Marina del Rey: Report

March 31, 2025

March 31, 2025

Emmy Award Winner Faces Court Appearance Following Domestic Dispute Kim Delaney, best known for her role on “NYPD Blue,” was...

Debris Removal Deadline Extended, Eligibility Expanded for Condos and Multi-Family Homes

March 31, 2025

March 31, 2025

Officials continue to push for eligibility expansion to include nonprofit organizations, houses of worship, mobile home parks, and additional multi-family...

Palisades Youth Soccer Team Fundraises to Compete in Sweden Tournament

March 31, 2025

March 31, 2025

The team is raising funds through GoFundMe, with donations aimed at covering travel costs, accommodations, and fees A youth soccer...

Seven-Bedroom Venice Pad on Shell Ave. Hits Market at Under $7M

March 31, 2025

March 31, 2025

The home sits on a 5,740-square-foot lot and includes a two-car garage A newly listed property in Venice, featuring modern...

School of Rock Students Shine in Winter Performance Despite Widespread Fires

March 31, 2025

March 31, 2025

Summer Camp Registration Opens Now By Susan Payne Wildfire devastation wreaked havoc in areas of Los Angeles this January with...

City Approves Redevelopment Deal for Civic Auditorium

March 31, 2025

March 31, 2025

Officials said the next phase of the process includes site analyses to assess redevelopment viability The Santa Monica City Council...

LAPD Cadets to Host E-Waste Donation Drive in Pacific Area

March 28, 2025

March 28, 2025

Donations of items such as smartphones, televisions, laptops, monitors, printers, and tablets will be accepted The Pacific Area Boosters Association...

THIS WEEKEND: Palisades High to Host Benefit to Support Displaced Students

March 28, 2025

March 28, 2025

The evening aims to bring the Pali High community together while raising funds through sponsorships, donations, and an ongoing online...

March Madness Celebration Coming to Santa Monica Pier

March 28, 2025

March 28, 2025

The celebration will culminate in an evening viewing party at Patio 66, where fans can watch the games while enjoying...

ARCANE Space to Debut “11th Place” Exhibit by Dominick Vanderlip

March 28, 2025

March 28, 2025

Vanderlip’s work explores themes of rebellion, survival, and introspection ARCANE Space will host 11th Place, a solo exhibition by artist...

Bacio di Latte Set to Serve Gelato From New Downtown Santa Monica Spot

March 27, 2025

March 27, 2025

Bacio di Latte offers a range of flavors, including classic options like Stracciatella, Pistachio, and Hazelnut Italian gelato chain Bacio...