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Aug. 15, 2008 (10:25 a.m.)
| FOLLOW FORMER LADY VOLS AT THE 2008 OLYMPIC GAMES | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(All Times Eastern) Magnuson to swim butterfly leg in 4x100 medley relay finals Friday, August 15 BEIJING - The U.S. 4x100 medley relay team won Heat 1 of the preliminaries on Friday morning and qualified as the No. 3 seed for Saturday night's finals at the National Aquatics Center at the 2008 Beijing Games. The U.S. "B" team of Margaret Hoelzer, Megan Jendrick, Elaine Breeden and Kara-Lynn Joyce finished with a time of 3:59.15. Former Lady Vol Christine Magnuson, fresh off her silver medal performance on Sunday night, will swim the butterfly leg in the finals. Joining her should be gold medal-winners Natalie Coughlin (backstroke) and Rebecca Soni (breast), and 41-year-old Dara Torres (free). Australia, who also swam its "B" team, won Heat 2 in 3:57.94. The Aussies and U.S. are expected to battle for the gold medal. Australia's team will probably be made up of Jessicah Schipper (fly), Emily Seebohm (back), Leisel Jones (breast) and Libby Trickett (free). That team holds the world record of 3:55.74. Trickett edged Magnuson in the 100m fly, but is also Australia's top freestyle swimmer. Schipper was third in the 100m fly and Jones won the 100m breast. Often times, top medal-contending relays will swim "B" teams in the prelims. Another former Lady Vol, Fabiola Molina, swam the backstroke leg for Brazil on the 4x100-meter relay team which finished fifth in Heat 1 in 4:02.61, wrapping up her second Olympic appearance. Magnuson, using her unique side-breathing technique, became the first former Lady Vol to win an individual swimming medal in the Olympics on Sunday and broke Coughlin's American record in the fly last Saturday night, posting a 57.08. Magnuson captured the 100m fly title at the Olympic Trials by swimming 58.11 in the finals. She was a 26-time All-American at Tennessee and just wrapped up her eligibility this past season. She won the NCAA Championship in the 100y fly and was named SEC Female Swimmer of the Year this past winter. The finals of the 4x100m medley relay are scheduled for 10:40 p.m. ET. USA Rolls Over Spain 93-55 Friday, August 15 Box Score (PDF) | Quotes | Photos
Tina Thompson scored nine of her 17 points during the decisive third quarter run and Lisa Leslie added 14 points and 11 rebounds to help the U.S. top Spain 93-55 on Friday night. Candace Parker added 13 points with five rebounds, two assists and a block. Diana Taurasi had 12 for the U.S. (4-0). Tamika Catchings had a hot night, hitting 4-of-5 field goals to finish with nine points. She also pulled down four rebounds and three steals. Kara Lawson contributed five points with a pair of rebounds and assists. The Americans had won their first three games by an average of 47 points, putting the game away by the half in all the victories. On Friday night, the Americans struggled for a half to get rid of Spain turning the ball over a tournament-high 19 times. After a sloppy first half that saw the U.S. have 11 turnovers and only lead by five, 39-34, the Americans opened the third quarter with a 20-5 run to take control of the game. The U.S. scored the first nine points of the period, including three by Thompson from the foul line when she was fouled hard by Ana Montanana, who was called for a technical foul -- the first of the entire Olympics. Catchings' putback with 2:53 left in the period gave the U.S. a 59-39 advantage. Spain closed within 16 to start the fourth quarter before the Americans went on a 13-0 run to put the game away. The game looked to be another blowout at the start with the Americans jumping out to a 19-4 lead in the first quarter as they held Spain scoreless for nearly 7:30 minutes. However, Spain wouldn't go away, closing the period with a 13-3 spurt of its own, hitting four 3-pointers. Montanana's 3-pointer at the buzzer closed the gap to 22-17.Click HERE to read the rest of the game report. Abbott earns first Olympic win over Japan Friday, August 15
BEIJING - The U.S. used a four-run first inning attack on Friday afternoon en route to a 7-0 run-ahead victory against Japan at Fengtai Field. Extending its 17-game Olympic win streak, the U.S. connected on eight hits including a new Olympic record with four home runs in the contest; two of which came from Jessica Mendoza (Camarillo, Calif.). From the circle, Monica Abbott (Salinas, Calif.) garnered her first Olympic victory tossing five complete innings allowing just one hit and retiring four batters via the strikeout. "Today was a great day for our team," said Abbott. "Our offense is so strong and that was definitely a key because they put some runs on the board early and were ready to go. I knew it was my job to just get them back in the dugout so they could keep doing what they do so well. My arm is feeling great and it's just an amazing feeling because I am at the Olympics." After a scoring drought against Canada on Thursday afternoon, the U.S. bats unleashed early on Japan taking a quick 4-0 advantage in the first inning. Cat Osterman (Houston, Texas) was entered as the starting pitcher but a game time decision changed things up with Abbott taking the lead in the circle in the bottom of the 1st inning. Breaking a U.S. 15-inning hitless streak in the 2008 Olympic Games, Japanese leadoff hitter Ayumi Karino connected on a single off Abbott to begin the first inning. However, it was all Abbott and the U.S. defense as they retired the next six consecutive batters leading into the third. To lead the third inning, Kretschman drove the ball to centerfield for her second hit of the game but the U.S. was held by Someya and crew moving to the bottom of half of the inning. Abbott held strong in the circle as the U.S. put two more runs on the board once again from the long ball. Flowers then reached on her first single of the Olympic Games and moved to third on two ground outs before Mendoza struck once again with a towering home run to right field. Bringing Bustos to the plate, her power again overwhelmed the Japanese pitching with a rocket line-drive home run to centerfield. This continued her Olympic home run streak to four consecutive games and 11 for her Olympic career. Click HERE to read the full game recap. Abbott starts against Canada; Game suspended Thursday, August 14
BEIJING - It wasn't the United States or Canada who was victorious today as the game was suspended in the top of the fourth inning due to rain with the U.S. trailing Canada 1-0. The team waited it out through two rain delays before the game was called. It will be resumed tomorrow Friday, August 15 following the USA vs. Japan game at Noon. Projected time is 30 minutes after the conclusion of the regularly scheduled game. Monica Abbott (Salinas, Calif.) worked three complete innings, allowing no hits with three strikeouts while Lovie Jung (Fountain Valley, Calif.) recorded the sole hit of the game in the third inning with a single to right centerfield. Abbott made her first Olympic start in the circle for the Red, White and Blue and had a tough first outing. She was called for an illegal pitch for her first pitch facing leadoff hitter Melanie Matthews. Another illegal pitch would be called before Matthews hit a deep fly ball that Caitlin Lowe (Tustin, Calif.) caught then dropped for her first-ever National team error in over 100 games played. The error allowed Matthews to reach second base. Erin McClean would draw a walk, including another Abbott illegal pitch, with Matthews advancing to third on the illegal pitch. A sac fly by Jennifer Yee was enough for Matthews to score, breaking up a 12-inning shut out streak during these `08 Games. Then it was six straight up and down through the first two innings for Team USA before the rain began just 32 minutes into play starting an hour and 47 minute rain delay. The teams resumed play and it was evident both teams were ready to take the field, Canada to defend their lead and the U.S. to make a comeback. The game was resumed at the bottom of the second with Canadian Megan Timpf up to bat with an 0-1 count and no outs. The rain delay seemed to settle the Olympic rookie as Abbott sat down two batters with strike outs and a ground out to close out the inning. Click HERE to read the full game recap. USA Women Crush Mali 97-41 Wednesday, August 13 Box Score (PDF) | Quotes | Photos
Lisa Leslie set a U.S. Olympic record going 7-for-7 from the field as the women's team continued its unblemished run through the Beijing Games. Katie Smith (2000) and former Lady Vol Nikki McCray (1996) held the record for highest field goal percentage, each going 6-for-6 from the field.
Kara Lawson had a strong all-around game with seven points on 3-of-5 shooting with seven assists, three steals and two rebounds. Tamika Catchings connected on all three of her field goals, finishing with seven points, four rebounds and three assists. Parker was one of five players to reach double figures as she picked up 10 points with a couple of rebounds and a pair of steals and assists. Mali was missing it's top player Hamchetou Maiga-Ba, who injured her ankle in a loss to the Czech Republic on Monday. Even with Maiga-Ba, the winless Mali team would have been hard-pressed to be competitive against the U.S. However, for a brief two-minute stretch in the first quarter Mali gave its fans something to cheer about. Trailing 7-0, Mali rattled off eight straight points, hitting two deep 3-pointers. Aminata Sininta's 3 with 5:34 left in the period gave Mali an 8-7 lead and forced U.S. coach Anne Donovan to call a timeout. It didn't last long as the Americans responded with a 17-4 run to close the quarter as seven different players scored. The U.S. (3-0) continued the spurt scoring the first eight points of the second quarter to build the advantage to 32-12 and led 51-28 at the half. The Americans play Spain next on Friday. Click HERE to read the rest of the game report. Abbott pitches in relief in Olympic debut Wednesday, August 13
BEIJING - Former Lady Vol All-American Monica Abbott pitched a scoreless 1-2-3 fifth inning as the USA Softball team opened the 2008 Olympic Games by making a statement in breaking an Olympic record for most runs scored in a game by a single team and tying an Olympic record with three homeruns. The three-time defending Gold Medal winning team captured an 11-0 victory in five innings against Olympic rookie team Venezuela. Breaking its own previous record which was 10 runs from the 2004 Olympic Games, the U.S. used 11 hits including three home runs and a base clearing double to improve to a 15-game win Olympic win streak dating back to 2000. Abbott and starter Jennie Finch combined on the no-hit performance Up next the U.S. will battle a familiar foe in 2004 Olympic silver medal winning team Australia. The U.S. is 20-7 overall against Australia in major international competition (Olympics, World Championships, and World Cups). Game time is Noon on Wednesday, August 13 Click HERE to read the full game recap. Magnuson appears on the Today Show Monday, August 11 Fresh off of her Olympic Silver Medal winning performance in the 100m butterfly, Christine Magnuson was interviewd on the Monday morning Today Show. View the Today Show interview. USA Women Easily Dismantle Host China, 108-63 Monday, August 11 Box Score (PDF) | Quotes | Photos
Former Lady Vols Candace Parker scored 12, while Tamika Catchings added five and Kara Lawson four as the USA Women's basketball teamed routed China, 108-63, for their second win in Olympic pool play. Parker connected on six of seven field goals with five rebounds in 18 minutes. Lawson handed out five assists with three rounds and Catchings had five rebounds and two steals. Tina Thompson scored 13 of her 27 points during a 23-0 run in the first quarter and the U.S. routed China, taking the boisterous crowd out of the game early. After the scoring run, the women never looked back. Bian Lan finally ended China's 6 1/2 minute scoreless drought early in the second quarter with a jumper that rattled around the rim before dropping in. China missed 12 straight shots and turned the ball over three times during its drought. The U.S. (2-0) didn't stop at its 22-point lead, extending its advantage to 61-27 at the half. The Americans cruised the rest of the way. China figured to be the toughest test for the Americans in their pool. Up next will be a matchup with Mali (0-2), which lost Hamchetou Maiga of the Houston Comets to an ankle injury in the third quarter of a 81-47 loss to the Czechs. Click HERE to read the rest of the game report. Christine Magnuson wins Silver medal Sunday, August 10 VIDEO: 100m Butterfly Final | Magnuson on Today Show
Magnuson finished second behind Australia'>s Libby Trickett in a time of 57.10. Trickett won the gold in 56.73, while fellow Aussie Jessicah Schipper grabbed the bronze in 57.25. Magnuson was third at the halfway mark, touching the wall .02 behind Schipper at 26.95, but was able to edge her out for the silver. Magnuson, using her unique side-breathing technique, became the first former Lady Vol to win an individual swimming medal in the Olympics. Julia Stowers won a relay gold in 2000 before attending Tennessee. In the semifinals on Saturday night, the Tinley Park, Ill., native broke Natalie Coughlina's American record by swimming a time of 57.08. Coughlinâ€TMs old record was 57.34. Magnuson opened her first-ever Olympic competition by winning her preliminary heat in the 100m fly in 57.70 on Saturday morning. Magnuson's previous career best before the Olympics night was 57.50, which she set in the semifinals of the Olympic Trials in June. She has a chance to grab another medal later in the week. Magnuson will probably swim the butterfly leg of the 4x100 medley relay. The medley relay heats begin Friday morning and the finals will be Saturday night. Magnuson captured the 100m fly title at the Olympic Trials by swimming 58.11 in the finals. She was a 26-time All-American at Tennessee and just wrapped up her eligibility this past season. She won the NCAA Championship in the 100y fly and was named SEC Female Swimmer of the Year this past winter. Former Lady Vol Fabiola Molina ends 18th in 100m backstroke Sunday, August 10 BEIJING Former Lady Vol Fabiola Molina finished fifth in her 100m backstroke preliminary heat and 18th overall in the event on Sunday morning at the National Aquatics Center at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Molina, representing Brazil, swam a time of 1:01.00 in Heat 7 and was just .30 away from qualifying to the semifinals. Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe won Heat 7 and set a new Olympic Record at 59.00. Of the 49 entrants in the 100m back, Molina, 33, was the oldest competitor by at least five years. A five-time All-American at UT from 1995-98, Molina also competed at the 2000 Olympics in Athens, Greece. She finished 24th in the 100m backstroke and 36th in the 100m butterfly at her first Olympics. Earlier this summer, Molina set a South American Record in the 100m back when she won the Croatian Open Championship in 1:00.79. Magnuson sets American Record in 100 Fly at 57.08
VIDEO: Magnuson's American Record swim BEIJING - Christine Magnuson broke the American record in the 100m butterfly, while qualifying for the finals in the event on Saturday night at the National Aquatics Center at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. USA Women Blowout Czech Republic, 97-57, in Olympic Opener Saturday, August 9 Box Score (PDF)| Quotes| Photos
The Tennessee trio of Candace Parker (9), Tamika Catchings (6) and Kara Lawson (3) combined for 18 points to help lead the U.S. to the 97-57 victory in the opener Saturday night. The Americans got off to a slow star, trailing 13-2 giving up layup after layup to the feisty Czech team. Diana Taurasi finally got the team rolling much to the pleasure of Bush, who was dressed in a blue shirt and USA cap. Taurasi's layup ignited a 20-4 run by the U.S. to close the first quarter. The U.S. continued the run in the second quarter behind Cappie Pondexter, who scored seven of her 12 points in the period. Her 3-pointer at the buzzer gave the Americans a 49-31 lead at halftime. The Americans continued the onslaught in the third quarter using a 22-5 to put the game out of reach. The U.S. led 75-44 at the end of the third, sending the President, his wife Laura, and daughter Barbara home. The President gave a wave to the delighted crowd as he left at the end of the third quarter. Up next for the women is host China, which beat Spain 67-64 in its first game. Click HERE to read the rest of the game report. Christine Magnuson advances to semifinals Saturday, August 9
Magnuson swam a time of 57.70 to win Heat 5 by .30 over second-place finisher Gabriella Silva of Brazil. Fellow American, Elaine Breeden was third in the heat with a time of 58.06. Magnuson was second through 50 meters with a split of 26.83 and overtook South Africa's Lize-Mari Retief, who faded to fourth after leading at the halfway mark. Magnuson's performance was tied for the second-best of the prelims and just off her career-best of 57.50 set in the semifinals of the Olympic Trials in June. Australia's Jessica Schipper won Heat 6 in 57.58 just ahead of China's Yafei Zhou, who tied Magnuson's time of 57.70. Libby Trickett of Australia was second in Heat 2 in 58.37. She has the top time in the world at 56.81. Schipper ranks second, while Magnuson is third. Trickett and Schipper are widely considered the favorites to win the event. Magnuson captured the 100m fly title at the Olympic Trials by swimming 58.11 in the finals. She was a 26-time All-American at Tennessee and just wrapped up her eligibility this past season. The Tinley Park, Ill., native won the NCAA Championship in the 100y fly and was named SEC Female Swimmer of the Year this past winter. Semifinals of the 100m fly are tonight, while the finals are scheduled for Sunday night. Olympic Games Open Friday for Eight Former Lady Vols Thursday, August 7 Talking Women's Hoops, Olympics and Other Interesting Items The 2008 U.S. Olympic Team arrived in Beijing after seven days of training and hit the ground running on Thursday. The morning was filled with the U.S. Olympic Committee's Ambassador Program and that was followed by an hour-long press conference in the early afternoon and a two-hour practice at Wukesong Arena, home to the 2008 Olympic basketball competition, Thursday night. During the press event the team discussed a variety of topics, including the USA's first opponent, the contributions that will be made by the rookies, veteran leadership, Beijing in general and Lopez Lomong being named the U.S. Olympic Committee flag bearer for tomorrow night's Opening Ceremonies. But don't take our word for it ... read on! USA head coach Anne Donovan On participating on her fifth Olympic team as a player or coach: Has Australia narrowed the gap with the USA in terms of skill level? What do the Olympic rookies offer to the team? What do you expect from your first opponent, Czech Republic? What do you think about playing China? Tamika Catchings Do you feel you are at 100 percent? On playing with two other Tennessee alumns in Candace Parker and Kara Lawson: Where is your 2004 gold medal? Is this the final notch on your resume? What has it been like participating in your first Olympics? We're starting the get the big picture of the Olympics, but also the big picture of being a part of Team USA, which I can't say you grasp too much when you are just training by yourselves as the women's basketball team. Then you get here, and you start seeing other countries, and you start walking around with your USA stuff on, and it starts to mean a little bit more. .. On the pressure of the Olympics: When did the realization that you were at the Olympics hit you? Are you feeling like there is paparazzi everywhere? Thursday, August 7 Lady Vol Track Diaries from Beijing Wednesday, August 6 Lady Vol Swimming Diaries from Beijing |
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