*** The latest news from the USOC - July 14 ***
(Courtesy of United States Olympic Committee)
Salt Lake City, UT (My Sportsbook) - The following is a recap of events from the United States Olympic Committee.
Baseball: (July 6) Since USA Baseball began operating an official national team in 1984, more than 400 collegiate players from 117 colleges and universities across the country have donned the Red, White, and Blue uniform. But there are clearly five campuses that have consistently produced more national team players than any others: Stanford, Georgia Tech, Southern California, Miami-FL and Cal State Fullerton. Stanford had placed a member of its roster on the USA Baseball National Team 18 consecutive summers dating back to 1986. However, that run came to an end with the announcement of the 2005 National Team roster for which no Cardinal players were selected. (July 7) Four American Leaguers highlight a group of nine USA Baseball alumni named to the 2005 MLB All-Star Game July 12 in Detroit. Catcher Jason Varitek (Red Sox), first baseman Mark Teixeira (Rangers), second baseman Brian Roberts (Orioles) and third baseman Alex Rodriguez (Yankees) were voted in as starters by the fans. (July 8) Mike Gaski, president of USA Baseball, issued a statement regarding the IOC's decision to exclude the sport of baseball from the 2012 Olympic Games. (July 11) The World Baseball Classic, a 16-nation tournament sanctioned by the International Baseball Federation, will take place in March 2006, with the tournament final played March 20 in the United States. Any player in the world who is a citizen of a participating World Baseball Classic country is eligible for selection to a national team. For more information, log on to www.usabaseball.com.
Basketball: (July 7) Led by 2004-05 All-Americans Shelden Williams (Forest Park, Okla./Duke) and Craig Smith (Los Angeles, Calif./Boston College), and featuring six first-team all-conference selections from the Atlantic Coast, Big East, Big Ten, Pacific 10 and Southern conferences, 13 of the country's top collegiate players accepted invitations to attend the July 28-Aug. 4 USA Basketball men's trials and training camp in Colorado Springs, Colo. These events will be utilized to select the USA squad that will compete in the World University Games Aug. 11-22 in Izmir, Turkey. (July 9) The USA Women's U19 World Championship Team defeated the Hungarian U19 World Championship Team, 82-42, in exhibition action, improving to 5-0 in pre-U19 World Championship competition. Forward Crystal Langhorne (Willingboro, N.J./Maryland) led the U.S. with 13 points and seven rebounds and guard Candice Wiggins (Poway, Calif./Stanford) contributed 13 points, five rebounds and a team-high four steals. (July 10) The USA Women's U19 World Championship Team fell to Hungary's team, 75-67, finishing 5-1 in pre-U19 World Championship contests. For more information, log on to www.usabasketball.com.
Bobsled: (July 11) Lake Placid, N.Y. has been chosen to host the 2009 World Bobsled and Skeleton Championships, winning over Innsbruck, Austria. (July 11) The United States Bobsled and Skeleton Federation named XP Apparel, LLC an official licensee for apparel and non-apparel items. (July 11) USBSF Executive Director Claire DelNegro will step down from that position for personal reasons, effective July 30. For more information, log on to http://www.usbsf.com.
Bowling: (July 6) Katelyn Spangler (Renton, Wash.) was selected by the United States Bowling Congress to receive the Zeb Scholarship for outstanding academic achievement and community service. The honor includes a $2,500 scholarship and an expense-paid trip to Indianapolis where Spangler will be recognized at the 2005 USA Junior Gold Bowling National Championships awards ceremony July 15. (July 6) USBC is now accepting bids from cities that can host the 2010 and 2012 USBC Women's Championships in arenas or convention centers. (July 11) Six USBC Team USA members will compete at the Women's World Championships Aug. 4 in Aalborg, Denmark: Diandra Asbaty (Chicago, Ill.), Lynda Barnes (Flower Mound, Texas), Shannon O'Keefe (Rochester, N.Y.), Lisa Noor (Mound, Minn.), Stefanie Nation (Miami, Fla.) and Shannon Pluhowsky (Phoenix, Ariz.). (July 11) The United States Bowling Congress Media and Communications departments have been recognized with six APEX Awards for achieving overall communications effectiveness and excellence by producing top-level print and online products that promote the sport of bowling. (July 12) John Szczerbinski (North Tonawanda, N.Y.) led the male division of the 2005 USA Junior Gold Bowling National Championships by one pin, totaling 1,287 for six games for an average of 214.5, after first-round qualifying competition. Melissa Hurst (Derby, Kan.) led the female division with 1,224 pins for six games, an average of 204. For more information, log on to www.bowl.com.
Boxing: (July 6) USA Boxing posted its second quarter rankings. The rankings are based on performances at national and international competitions held in 2005. (July 7) Thirteen members of USA Boxing's Elite Team will travel to Moscow, Russia for the 2005 AIBA Boxing World Cup July 12-17. In addition to the U.S., Russia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Thailand, Korea, Cuba, Mexico, Algeria and Australia are invited to the competition. (July 7) Five of the six U.S. boxers competing in the 2005 Junior Olympic International Invitational claimed victories beginning with light flyweight and two-time Junior Olympic National Champion Luis Yanez (Duncanville, Texas). Yanez won his third straight international bout with a 13-6 victory over Geovani Vargas of Mexico. Saddam Ali (Brooklyn, N.Y.) followed up with a 16-7 win over Jose Pedraza of Mexico in their featherweight (125 lbs) bout. For more information, log on to www.usaboxing.org.
Canoe/Kayak: (July 11) Benn Fraker (Peachtree City, Ga.) won the C-1 (single canoe) event at the Junior Pre-World Championships, shrugging off a phantom- gate penalty on the first run and racing the fastest raw time on the second run. (July 11) U.S. paddlers won nine gold, five silver and 10 bronze medals at the Flatwater Sprint Pan-American Championships. Carrie Johnson (San Diego, Calif.) won both the K-1 (single kayak) 500 and 1000 meters. In the K-2 (double kayak) 1000 meters, Andy Bussey (Kailua, Hawaii) and Jeff Smoke (Buchanan, Mich.) edged out a Brazilian team for the win. The junior K-2 team of Ann Hollingshead (Pittsburgh, Pa.) and Emily Mickle (Gainesville, Ga.) swept all three distance events, winning the 200-, 500- and 1000-meter races. Junior paddler Morgan House (Gainesville, Ga.) swept his K-1 distance races of 500 and 1000 meters, while Kalen Lee (Gainesville, Ga.) won the junior K-1 1000-meter race. For more information, log on to www.usack.org.
Curling: (July 6) Neil Doese (Menomonee Falls, Wis.) and Dave Jensen (Bismarck, N.D.) were honored as USA Curling's top coaches for 2005. Doese was named 2005 USA Curling Coach of the Year while Jensen was named 2005 USA Curling Developmental Coach of the Year. (July 6) The U.S. Curling Association named Diane Brown (Madison, Wis.) as team leader for the 2006 Paralympic Winter Games. Brown has worked with the USCA's wheelchair athletes since the 2003-04 season, attending the past two World Wheelchair Curling Championships as team leader and coach. For more information, log on to www.usacurl.org.
Diving: (July 11) USA Diving nominated 10 divers to the 2005 World University Games Team. The World University Games will take place Aug. 14-20 in Izmir, Turkey. (July 11) Top junior talent and 2008 Olympic hopefuls will compete Aug. 3-6 in Huntersville, N.C. at the 2005 Speedo National Junior Diving Championships and the first-place finisher in each event will be named to the 2005 Junior National Team. Three age groups-- 13 and under, 14-15 and 16-18-- will compete in the 1-meter springboard, 3-meter springboard and 10-meter platform. (July 11) Approximately 125 divers will compete Aug. 9-13 in Huntersville, N.C. at the 2005 Speedo National Diving Championships in the 1- meter springboard, 3-meter springboard, 10-meter platform, 3-meter synchronized springboard and 10-meter synchronized platform. For more information, log on to www.usdiving.org.
Equestrian: (July 6) Jimmy Torano (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) won the Lake Placid News/Adirondack Daily Enterprise 1.45m Jump-off at the I Love New York Horse Show. Torano was one of seven riders from the starting field of 20 to qualify for a tie-breaking jump-off by riding without penalty over the 13-jump first- round course. (July 6) The United States Equestrian Federation announced the implementation of an organizational realignment that divides the federation's activities into two primary areas: sport programs and business administration/governance. The realignment of sports programs will better integrate staff assignments for both national and high performance programs. (July 7) Argentina's Ramiro Quintana won the $15,000 Pin Oak Farm 1.50m Jump- off at the I Love New York Horse Show. Also riding into the winner's circle was Lauren Bass (Willoughby Hills, Ohio) with a victory in the Wild Horse Winery North American League 1.40m Speed Stake. (July 8) Margie Engle (Wellington, Fla.) won the Price Chopper 1.40m Speed Challenge with a time of 48.997. (July 9) Louis Jacobs (East Aurora, N.Y.) won the Charlotte Bobcats High Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic with a time of 31.494. In the Shamrock Ventures LLC High Junior Jumper Classic, Katie Brown (Wellington, Fla.) was one of two riders who completed the seven-obstacle course fault-free, winning with a time of 32.473. (July 10) Jimmy Torano rode to victory in the Hermès I Love New York Grandprix CSI 2*. Julie Welles (West Simsbury, Conn.) topped a field of 19 riders to win the Kathy Scholl Equitation Classic. (July 12) The USEF announced six team members and two individuals who will compete at the 2005 FEI World Combined Pony Driving Championships July 13-17 in Catton Park, England. For more information, log on to www.usef.org.
Field Hockey: (July 9) Team USA lost to South Africa, 2-1, in the first day of action at the Rabobank Champions Challenge. Angie Loy (Loysville, Pa.) scored the lone goal for the U.S. in the closing minutes of the first half. (July 9) Tiffany Snow (Escondido, Calif.) scored the only goal for Team USA as it fell to 0-2 in tournament play with a 2-1 loss to New Zealand. (July 11) Team USA lost to Japan, 3-1, and remained winless in tournament play. For more information, log on to www.usfieldhockey.com.
Figure Skating: (July 7) Angela Nikodinov (San Pedro, Calif.) announced plans to take off the 2005-06 figure skating season due to medical reasons. Nikodinov is having trouble with a lingering burn injury to her right hand caused by a car accident Jan. 12, 2005. She has not been able to skate since the accident. For more information, log on to www.usfigureskating.org.
Gymnastics: (July 11) In a prelude to the Visa Championships, gymnastics legend Bela Karolyi and Olympic medalists Courtney Kupets (Gaithersburg, Md.) and Blaine Wilson (Columbus, Ohio) will lead fans July 14 in Indianapolis in attempting to set a world record for the most people doing a handstand at one time. For more information, log on to www.usa-gymnastics.org.
Luge: (July 8) Young athletes who want to experience the thrill of luge and train under the guidance of USA Luge national team coaches and athletes can participate when the Verizon-USA Luge Slider Search rolls into St. Paul, Minn. July 30-31. The tour will be looking for boys and girls ages 11-14. For more information, log on to www.usaluge.org.
Rowing: (July 8) USA Rowing announced the junior women who will compete at the 2005 CanAmMex Regatta July 10-16 in Oak Ridge, Tenn. (July 8) USA Rowing named 15 women to the 2005 Junior National Team. While final boat selection is not complete, the 15 athletes will make up the women's pair, women's four and women's eight with coxswain that will compete at the 2005 FISA World Rowing Junior Championships Aug. 3-6 in Brandenburg, Germany. (July 11) USA Rowing finalized the rosters for the men's four, lightweight men's four, women's four, women's double sculls and men's quadruple sculls that will compete at the 2005 World Rowing Under-23 Championships July 22-24 in Amsterdam. (July 12) USA Rowing named 14 men to the 2005 Junior National Team. Final rosters will be announced later this month and those athletes will compete at the 2005 FISA World Rowing Junior Championships. For more information, log on to www.usrowing.org.
Sailing: (July 6) Eight of the country's best youth sailors will travel to Busan, Korea to represent the USA at the 2005 Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship. More than 200 competitors from 48 nations will be racing for the finish line July 14-23. (July 11) Crew member Leigh Hammel (Warren, Vt.) won the U.S. Junior Women's Doublehanded Championship and was presented U.S. Sailing's Ida Lewis Trophy along with skipper Rebecca Dellenbaugh (Easton, Conn.). For more information, log on to www.ussailing.org.
Skiing: (July 7) Trevor Wagner (Seattle, Wash./Sierra Nevada College), a member of the U.S. Ski Team women's alpine coaching staff since 1998, was named women's slalom and giant slalom head coach. Wagner, 36, was head coach Patrick Riml's key lieutenant with the women's World Cup tech team program last season. (July 12) The U.S. Ski Team and U.S. Snowboarding announced their 10 Weeks to Torino marketing campaign that will begin their march to the 2006 Olympic Winter Games, kicking off with the Visa Birds of Prey World Cup Dec. 1-4 in Beaver Creek, Colo. The campaign will feature national television coverage of events and contests and sweepstakes for fans. For more information, log on to www.usskiteam.com.
Soccer: (July 6) U.S. Under-21 Women's National Team head coach Jillian Ellis named the 19-player squad that will travel to Sweden for the Nordic Cup July 20-26. USA, which opens the tournament against Iceland July 20 in Kristinehamn, has won seven out of the last eight Nordic Cups, six in a row since winning its first in 1997 over Norway in Denmark. (July 7) The U.S. Men's National Team fell behind in the first half before responding with four unanswered goals, including three in the final six minutes, to open up the 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup with a 4-1 victory over Cuba. Second-half substitute Landon Donovan (Redlands, Calif.) supplied the game-winner with a free kick in the 87th minute. Three minutes later, the U.S. had a two-goal lead as DaMarcus Beasley (Fort Wayne, Ind.) buried his strike past Odelin Molina. (July 9) The U.S. Men's National Team increased its undefeated streak in CONCACAF Gold Cup group play to 18-0-0 with a 2-0 victory over Canada, securing a spot in the quarterfinals. A Canada own-goal and a goal by Landon Donovan sealed the win for the U.S. (July 11) Forward Tiffeny Milbrett (Portland, Ore.) scored her 100th career goal in front of a hometown crowd as the U.S. Women's National Team dominated Ukraine in a 7-0 win. Goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart (Gilbertsville, Pa.) earned her second career shutout in as many starts for the U.S., but was not forced to make a save. (July 11) The U.S. Under-17 Men's National Team fell to the Under-20 Cruzeiro club team, 2-1. Forward David Arvizu (Santa Ana, Calif.) scored the lone goal for the U.S. (July 12) Goalkeeper Kasey Keller (Lacey, Wash.) earned his 12th shutout in 18 all-time Gold Cup appearances as the U.S. Men's National Team battled Costa Rica to a 0-0 draw. The team closed out Group B play and remained undefeated in opening- round play dating back to 1991 with a record of 18-0-1. For more information, log on to www.ussoccer.com.
Softball: (July 5) The USA Elite Team managed to battle the elements and a determined New Zealand squad, capturing a 7-4 victory. Despite four lead changes throughout the game, the USA Elite remained perfect at 5-0 while relief pitcher Jennie Ritter (Dexter, Mich.) collected her first win. The U.S. offense tallied 13 total hits with five batters recording multiple-hit performances. (July 6) A grand slam to left field from Mackenzie Vandergeest (Thousand Oaks, Calif.) in the bottom of the sixth inning gave the U.S. a 10-1 victory against American Pastime (0-6). The U.S. went 10 runs on 12 hits to make it a run-rule decision, improving its record to 6-0. (July 7) Completing pool play at a perfect 7-0, the USA Elite slipped by Triple Crown Colorado, 1-0, with a bottom of the seventh one-run decision. A triple from Lauren Lappin (Anaheim, Calif.) followed by a RBI single from Tiffany Haas (Santa Ana, Calif.) was enough to give the home team the 1-0 victory. Starting pitcher Gina Oaks (Alta Loma, Calif.) had her first win allowing three hits, one walk while totaling 11 strikeouts. (July 8) The Amateur Softball Association of America issued several statements regarding the IOC's decision to exclude softball from the 2012 Olympic Games. (July 8) The USA Elite Team advanced to a playoff game with Japan after defeating Canada Elite, 2-1, and improving to 8-0. Starting pitcher Jennie Ritter earned her second win of the tournament, allowing one run on two hits and recording seven strikeouts, while Lindsay Schutzler (Monterey, Calif.) went 2-3 with one run and a RBI single. (July 8) The USA Elite Team scored four runs in the sixth and rallied in the top of the seventh to defeat Japan, 6-5, in a game that saw three lead changes. Jocelyn Forest (Santa Maria, Calif.) earned the win in relief, while Samantha Findlay (Lockport, Ill.) and Kaleo Eldredge (Kahului, Hawaii) each added two hits. (July 9) The USA Elite Team scored seven runs in the fourth inning in a 10-2 rout of Australia and advanced to the Canada Cup championship game. Heather Scaglione (San Diego, Calif.) blasted a grand slam, while Tiffany Haas and Lindsay Schutzler each added two hits. Starting pitcher Jennie Ritter remained undefeated for the tournament at 3-0. (July 10) The USA Elite Team fell to Australia, 3-0, in the gold-medal game of the Canada Cup. The U.S. finished the tournament 10-1, batting .291 and outscoring opponents 47-18. (July 12) The National Team opened its summer season with a 10-0 five- inning, run-rule victory against Australia at the Champions Cup. Newcomer Kellie Wilkerson (Jacksonville, Fla.) went 2-2 with a two-run home run in her first national team at bat while nine U.S. batters each added one hit. For more information, log on to www.usasoftball.com.
Swimming: (July 7) Rivals USA Swimming and the Australia Telstra Dolphins will meet head-to-head Aug. 2 in Irvine, Calif. at the 2005 Mutual of Omaha Duel in the Pool. This winner-take-all dual meet will bring together the world's two preeminent swim powers featuring American Olympians Michael Phelps (Ann Arbor, Mich.), Natalie Coughlin (Concord, Calif.), Aaron Peirsol (Irvine, Calif.) and Ian Crocker (Portland, Maine). Also competing is a contingent of up-and-coming Americans including Katie Hoff (Baltimore, Md.), Ryan Lochte (Gainesville, Fla.) and Kate Ziegler (Great Falls, Va.). For more information, log on to www.usa-swimming.org.
Synchronized Swimming: (July 8) Seven countries will compete in the U.S. Open Synchronized Swimming Championships July 11-16 in San Diego, Calif. Each will vie for titles in solo, duet, trio and team events in the 14-15, 16-18 and Open divisions. The U.S. will face Singapore, Canada, Puerto Rico, China, Japan and Chile. For more information, log on to www.usasynchro.org.
Tennis: (July 7) The USTA announced that the 2005 US Open purse will top $17.7 million, with the potential to exceed $20.6 million. (July 11) The U.S. Women's Team lost to Russia in the 2005 Federation Cup semifinal and is ranked fourth in the Fed Cup nations ranking. For more information, log on to www.usta.com.
Track and Field: (July 6) Ebony Collins (Los Angeles, Calif.) was named USA Track & Field's Athlete of the Week after she finished in the fastest youth time ever by a female in the 400m hurdles to conclude the USA Youth Outdoor Track & Field Championships. The 16-year-old clocked a 57.87 to set a record in the intermediate girls division, bettering the 58.84 set in 2001 by Talia Stewart (Richmond, Calif.). (July 6) Sal Allah (Piscataway, N.J.) set a pending world record in the 400m for masters 45-49-year-old men at the USATF East Region Open Men's and Women's Track & Field Championships. As the 2003 world masters champion, Allah ran a time of 1:54.18, placing fourth overall in a race that included many collegians. (July 8) Lashinda Demus (Columbia, S.C.) stayed in the running for a big payday while Americans won nine events at the Golden Gala in Rome, the second leg of the IAAF's 2005 TDK Golden League series. Demus remained undefeated by running 53.68 in the 400m hurdles to defeat world champion Jana Pittman of Australia (53.74) and Sandra Glover (Sugar Land, Texas/54.55). Sheena Johnson (Los Angeles, Calif.) was fourth (54.72). Sanya Richards (Austin, Texas) scored a second consecutive victory with a winning time of 49.82. Her performance put her ahead of world champion Ana Guevara of Mexico, who was a distant second in 50.62. Dwight Phillips (Tucker, Ga.) and Miguel Pate (St. Francisville, La.) went 1-2 in the men's long jump. Phillips' winning jump of 8.39m/27-6.5 is the second-best in the world this year. With a time of 13.11, Dominique Arnold (Compton, Calif.) beat Olympic gold medalist Liu Xiang of China in the men's 110 hurdles for the second time in 2005, while James Carter (Baltimore, Md.) ran a time of 48.41 in the 400m for the win. Tyree Washington (Riverside, Calif.) took first in the men's 400m with a time of 45.02. Justin Gatlin (Brooklyn, N.Y.) easily won the men's 100m with a time of 9.96, while Toby Stevenson (Odessa, Texas) cleared 5.81m/19-0.75 in the pole vault to take first place. Daniel Lincoln (Ruston, La.) ran the fastest steeplechase by an American in 10 years and his time of 8:12.65 makes him the third-fastest American of all time. Lauren Fleshman (Stanford, Calif.) and Treniere Clement (Stow, Ohio) both achieved the A standard necessary to compete at the 2005 World Outdoor Championships. Fleshman ran a personal-best 15:02.52 to place 15th in the women's 5,000m, while Clement ran a personal-best 4:05.77 to finish sixth in the women's 1,500m. Bernard Lagat (Tuscon, Ariz.) placed third in the men's 1,500m in 3:31.09 and Hazel Clark (Livingston, N.J.) led the U.S. in the 800m with a time of 1:59.30 to place fifth. Americans placed second through fifth in the women's 100m, led by Lisa Barber (Livingston, N.J.) in second place with a time of 11.10. Allyson Felix (Los Angeles, Calif.) placed third with a personal-best 11.14 followed by Rachelle Boone-Smith (Norfolk, Va.) in 11.17 and Lauryn Williams (Rochester, Pa.) in 11.26. (July 11) Jason Lehmkuhle (St. Charles, Mo.) will replace Scott Larson (Superior, Colo.) on the marathon team roster for the IAAF World Championships in Athletics. An American team is set to run the World 24-hour Run July 16-17 in Worschach, Austria. Jim Sorenson (San Leandro, Calif.) claimed his fourth USATF Pacific Association Road Mile Championship and Elissa Riedy (San Leandro, Calif.) easily won the women's race. (July 11) Dana Vered (Paramus, N.J.) and Zachary Pollinger (Mahwah, N.J.) won national titles at the 2005 USA Women's and Men's Junior 5,000 Meter Race Walk Championships with times of 26:37.77 and 22:10.55, respectively. More than 600 competitors from 50 clubs and 20 states will compete at the 2005 USATF National Club Track & Field Championships July 15-16 in New York City. (July 12) Sanya Richards was named USA Track & Field's Athlete of the Week. For more information, log on www.usatf.org.
Triathlon: (July 6) Approximately 900 athletes have registered for the 2005 USA Triathlon Age Group National Championship Aug. 13 in Kansas City, Mo. Registrations will cap at 1,400 and officials recommend that interested athletes sign up soon. The top 10 finishers in each age group will qualify for the International Triathlon Union Triathlon World Championships Oct. 8-9 in Honolulu, Hawaii. (July 10) USA Under-23 National Team member Jarrod Shoemaker (Sudbury, Mass.) used his cross-country background to win the 2005 Ford New York City Triathlon and earn his first International Triathlon Union Continental Cup victory in 1:49.46. Julie Swail (Irvine, Calif.) pulled out the win in the women's elite race with a time of 1:58.52, while Michelle Lindsay (Blacksburg, Va.) was the top U23 finisher, placing fifth overall. For more information, log on to www.usatriathlon.org. Volleyball: (July 8) The USA Women's National Volleyball Team won its third- straight match at the World Grand Prix by defeating Thailand, 3-1. Nancy Metcalf (Hull, Iowa) scored a match-high 21 points to lead four players in double-figures as the U.S. posted a 25-14, 25-20, 13-25, 25-22 victory to improve its pool-play record to 4-3. (July 8) Volleyball Hall of Fame member Catalino R. Ignacio, a long-time official and coach, passed away at his home in Carson, Calif. after a long illness. He was 85. (July 9) The USA Women's National Team lost to Japan, 3-1. Nancy Metcalf had 16 kills, while teammate Kristin Richards (Orem, Utah) added 16 points on 11 kills and five blocks. (July 10) The USA Women's National Team finished play at the World Grand Prix with a 3-1 loss to Poland. Tayyiba Haneef (Laguna Hills, Calif.) and Nancy Metcalf each scored 16 points in the loss. (July 12) Holly McPeak (Manhattan Beach, Calif.) and Jennifer Kessy (San Diego, Calif.) won a pair of qualification matches to advance to the main draw of the Portugal Open, the next stop on the SWATCH-FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour. McPeak and Kessy, seeded 19th in the qualification round, received a bye in round one then defeated No. 14 Julia Mandana and Catalina Pol of Spain, 21-9, 21-13, and No. 3 Sara Montagnolli-Ebenbihler and Sabine Swoboda of Austria, 21-17, 21-13. For more information, log on to www.usavolleyball.org.
Water Polo: (July 6) USA men's and women's water polo teams began competition at the FINA World League Series. The U.S. Women's Team took on Germany in its match for a 15-1 victory. Moriah Van Norman (San Diego, Calif.) led her team with four goals, two of which were backhand shots from the 2-meter position. The USA Men's Team battled Italy for four close quarters; Italy finally pulled away in the fourth quarter, winning the game 6-4. (July 7) In a close game, the USA Women defeated Canada, 7-5. The USA Women gained control in the third quarter when Thalia Munro (Santa Barbara, Calif.) passed the ball to Kelly Rulon (Los Angeles, Calif.) who pumped once, waited for the goalie to drop and scored. (July 8) The USA Men's Team defeated Croatia, 12-11, in the FINA World League Series semifinals, scoring on a power play with less than 1:20 left in the game. (July 8) The USA Women's Team fell to Australia, 7-3, in the FINA World League Series semifinals. (July 9) The USA Men's Team lost to Russia, 7-5, in the semifinals. The USA Women's Team defeated Greece in a five-meter penalty shootout in the preliminary round with a final score of 7-6. All four regulation goals for the U.S. came in the first half. (July 10) The USA Women's Team qualified for the FINA World League Series Super Finals after dominating Brazil, 9-1. The other three qualifying teams are Canada, Australia and Greece. For more information, log on to www.usawaterpolo.com.
Water Skiing: (July 11) The American Water Ski Association's International Activities Committee selected four U.S. Water Ski teams-- the U.S. Elite, the U.S. Under-21, the U.S. 17 to 21 and the U.S. Junior-- following the 2005 U.S. Water Ski Team Trials. For more information, log on to www.usawaterski.org.
Wrestling: (July 6) Bode Ogunwole (Millersville, Md.) won a bronze medal at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. for the U.S. in men's freestyle wrestling at the FILA Junior World Championships in Vilnius, Lithuania. Patrick McCaffrey (Glen Ellyn, Ill.) won a bronze medal at 50 kg/110 lbs. Henry Cejudo (Colorado Springs, Colo./55kg/120 lbs.) added a fifth-place finish. (July 6) A wrestle-off for the 55 kg/121 lbs. position on the U.S. Women's World Team will be held at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. This best-of-three series will feature 2005 U.S. National champion Tina George (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and Marcie Van Dusen (Colorado Springs, Colo.). (July 7) The U.S. won three medals during the first day of the FILA Junior World Women's Wrestling Championships in Vilnius, Lithuania. Ali Bernard (New Ulm, Minn./72 kg/158.5 lbs) claimed her second career Junior World gold medal. Sara Fulp-Allen (El Granada, Calif./48 kg/105.5 lbs.) and Dany Hedin (Kailua, Hawaii/55 kg/121 lbs.) both won silver medals. (July 9) Brandon Rupp (Pocatello, Idaho/120 kg/264.5 lbs.) placed fifth at the FILA Junior Greco-Roman World Championships, the highest U.S. finish during the first day of competition. (July 10) U.S. wrestlers struggled during the final day of competition at the FILA Junior Greco-Roman World Championships, as none was in medal contention. (July 11) Tina George will compete at the World Championships for the sixth time after winning a Special Wrestle-Off against Marcie Van Dusen at 55 kg/121 lbs. (July 12) Three U.S. wrestlers won medals at the Canada Cup, led by Caitlyn Chase (Bloomingdale, Ill.), who claimed a silver at 55 kg/121 lbs. Her loss came at the hands of 2004 Olympic silver medalist Tonya Verbeek of Canada. Bryce Hasseman (Franklin, Ind.) and Kyle Cerminara (Lewiston, N.Y.) won bronze medals in the men's division at 84 kg/185 lbs. and 96 kg/211.5 lbs, respectively. In the junior division, Nicole Woody (Odenton, Md.) won a gold medal at 46 kg, Sarah Peasley (Kimberly, Wis.) won a gold at 60 kg, while Joey Miller (Woodward, Okla.) took silver at 48 kg. Dusty Colon (Clear Lake, Iowa) won silver at 58 kg in the boys' division. For more information, log on to www.themat.com.
