Final Boxers Set for Finale of 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Boxing

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Copyright 2019, All Rights Reserved

From USA Boxing Press Release

LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA (December 14, 2019) Stakes were high Saturday as the boxers faced elimination in the last round of the challenger’s bracket. The winners advanced to the finals while the losers will have to try again in the next Olympic trials. Here’s who confirmed their place in the finals.

In the women’s 165 lbs. division, Morelle McCane (Cleveland, Ohio) used a patient approach to get a 4-1 decision win over Alexis Gomez (South San Francisco, Calif.) and advance to the finals. She waited for Gomez to make a mistake and struck when the opportunity was best. With the win, she earns another shot at Naomi Graham (Fayetteville, N.C.). The two were scheduled to fight yesterday but McCane missed the bout because of a scheduling mix-up.

“I fought my fight,” McCane said. “I took control of the ring. I’m fired up and ready to go. Boxing is adding to yourself every day. I’m just building. No let up.”  

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Copyright 2019, All Rights Reserved

Lupe Gutierrez (Sacramento, Calif.) proved to be too much for Isamary Aquino (Universal City, Texas) as she handed her both of her losses in the women’s 125 lbs. division of these trials. Gutierrez won the rematch by 4-1 decision. She advances to the finals for another rematch, this time against Andrea Medina (San Diego, Calif.). Medina beat Gutierrez last night in a close 3-2 decision. Gutierrez will need to beat Medina twice to secure a spot in the Olympics.

“I’m feeling great,” Gutierrez said. “I know I took that loss but I’m ready to get the win back. I’m ready for it."

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Copyright 2019, All Rights Reserved

It’s unusual to have unanimous decisions in high-stakes bouts like these, but that’s exactly how Joseph Hicks (Grand Rapids, Mic.) beat Troy Isley (Alexandra, Va.) to advance to the finals. This sets up a rematch with Javier Martinez (Milwaukee, Wisc.), who beat Hicks by unanimous decision in the second round.

“Today was the best I’ve felt in a long, long time,” Hicks said. “Troy is a really good kid and a really great fighter. As for Javier, I figured some things out about him. He’s another great fighter, but I have some things figured out.”

Jeremiah Milton (Tulsa, Okla.) of the men’s 201+ lbs. division followed the trend Hicks set by defeating Luis Alvarado (Kenosha, Wisc.) by unanimous decision. It was a rematch of the second round, a 4-1 decision win by Milton. Milton will have to take this strong performance into tomorrow’s bout with Antonio Mireles (Des Moines, Iowa), who’s dominated this tournament and won every bout by unanimous decision.

“What I noticed about this tournament is that you have to hit more gears,” Milton said. “Every day you have to bring another gear. It’s Olympic trials. Everyone is trying to get to that spot. You have to make those adjustments on the fly. I knew I’d get here because I dedicated myself.”  

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Copyright 2019, All Rights Reserved

In the women’s 132 lbs. division, Amelia Moore (Alexandria, Va.) avenged a 3-2 second-round loss to Kimberly Carlson (Chicago, Ill.) with a 4-1 decision victory to advance to the finals. There, she’ll have to get past top-seed Rashida Ellis (Lynn, Mass.).

“I had a clear mind,” Moore said. “That’s been pretty much the mantra over the last few days since Wednesday. I listened to my corner with a clear mind and was calm. We made the adjustments we needed to make and came back and got the ‘W’ back. That was really important to me.”

It’s been a light tournament so far for Anthony Herrera (Los Angeles, Calif.). He won two of his fights by walkover and had his first fight only yesterday. That extra rest might have been the difference in a tight 3-2 decision win over Roscoe Hill (Spring, Texas) to advance to the final. There, he’ll meet Abraham Perez (Albuquerque, N.M.) for a rematch. On Friday, Perez won in a 3-2 decision. Tomorrow should be another close one.

“As compared to yesterday, I think I shook off a little bit of ring rust,” Herrera said. “I had two walkovers, which was a shocker because that doesn’t usually happen in tournaments like these. I’m feeling better today, I’m feeling strong. I stuck to the game plan and tomorrow, I’ll be ready.”

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Christina Cruz (Hell’s Kitchen, N.Y.) earned herself another shot at the top seed in the women’s 112 lbs. division, Virginia Fuchs (Houston, Texas), with a 4-1 decision victory over Heaven Garcia (Los Angeles, Calif.). Cruz and Fuchs met back in the second round, a unanimous decision in favor of Fuchs. Cruz is looking forward to another shot at a familiar foe.

“Very excited,” Cruz said. “I get to button up what I didn’t do in the last fight so I’m very excited to fix those little things and hopefully get the win.”

Regardless of who won in the men’s 178 lbs. division, there was sure to be a tough road to the championship. Awaiting in the finals is Rahim Gonzales (Las Vegas, Nev.), who had defeated both competitors in Saturday’s bout by unanimous decision. In the end, it was Atif Oberlton (Philadelphia, Pa.) who defeated Orville Crooks (Brooklyn, N.Y.) by a 3-2 decision to confirm the rematch.

“I’m working hard and listening to my corner,” Oberlton said. “I don’t second guess them. When they tell me to do something, I do it. It’s all about staying smart and being myself.”

In the men’s 125 lbs. division, David Navarro (Los Angeles, Calif.) completed his comeback from a surprising first-round loss by defeating Rashiem Jefferson (Philadelphia, Pa.) by a 4-1 decision to advance to the final. Waiting for Navarro is Bruce Carrington (Brooklyn, N.Y.), the eight-seed that has stormed through the trials.

“My first loss really opened my eyes,” Navarro said. “I just wasn’t ready for it. Now, I’m getting ready and I’m ready for the next round. I’ve been dreaming of this ever since I was a kid and it’s happening.”  

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Copyright 2019, All Rights Reserved

Jamar Talley (Camden, N.J.) got himself back into the winner’s bracket with a 3-1 decision win over Brandon Moore (Lakeland, Fla.) in the men’s 201 lbs. division. This sets up a rematch with Darius Fulghum (Rosharon, Texas). Yesterday, Fulghum got the best of Talley in a close 3-2 decision. Talley thinks he know what it will take to get the win tomorrow.

“To get it done, I gotta do what I did yesterday, but a hundred times more because yesterday wasn’t as good as it was supposed to be where I would have won,” Talley said.

The men’s 152 lbs. division top seed Freudis Rojas (Las Vegas, Nev.) took another step in his journey back to the top after a first-round loss with close a 3-2 decision win over Kelvin Davis (Norfolk, Va.). The win sets up a powerhouse matchup with Delante “Tiger” Johnson (Cleveland, Ohio) in the finals. Johnson has dominated the weight class thus far in the tournament but has yet to face the top-seeded Rojas.

“My battle isn’t over,” Rojas said. “I’m here to show that, even though I lost on the first day, I’m still in this tournament. I’m going to make the biggest comeback. I have a game plan, I’ll come out with the win that day.

Briana Che (Madison, Wisc.), the eight seed in the women’s 152 lbs. division, kept her winning streak alive with a 4-1 decision victory over Danyelle Wolf (San Diego, Calif.). The win sets up a rematch with Oshae Jones (Toledo, Ohio). Back in the first round, Jones beat Che by unanimous decision.

“I always say that sometimes you have to get knocked down and fall forward,” Che said. “That’s my motto. I picked myself up and reevaluated. I can only beat myself. My toughest opponent is myself. I just have to make the right decisions.”

In the men’s 138 lbs. division, Ernesto Mercado (Pomona, Calif.) earned a trip to the finals with a 4-1 victory over Charlie Sheehy (Brisbane, Calif.). Mercado is on a four-bout winning streak after losing in the first round. He’ll hope to carry that momentum into a matchup with top seeded Keyshawn Davis (Norfolk, Va.).

“The first day, I fell short,” Mercado said. “I learned from it. We’ve been picking it up day by day. I feel like tomorrow’s going to be a way better day for me.

Tomorrow’s finals will take place at the Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino at 3 p.m. CST. Sunday isn’t the absolute end of the trials, however. If a boxer experiences their first loss in the finals, there would be a rematch the following day at noon.

Burrell, Collins complete 100 meters preliminaries at U.S. Olympic Trials

Cameron Burrell
Photo courtesy of
University of Houston
Athletic Communications

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2016 TexSport Publications

EUGENE, OREGON (July 2, 2016) University of Houston sprinters Cameron Burrell and LaShon Collins competed in the preliminary heats of the 100 meters at the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials on Saturday, July 2, 2016. 

Burrell, running in lane four of the third heat, posted the time of 10.18 seconds, finishing in sixth place in the heat. Collins, competing in lane 

LaShon Collins
Photo  courtesy of
University of Houston
Athletic Communications

four of the third heat, run 10.41 to also finish sixth. The top three finishers in each of the five heats advanced to the semi-finals along with the enxt six fastest competitors. Collins and Burrell finished in 25th and 31st place, respectively in the event, failing to make the semifinals. 

Houston Cougar alumni Chris Carter is scheduled to compete in the triple jump on Thursday, July 7 while Collins will return to the track for the 200 meters on the same day. Isaac Williams will compete in the 110-meter hurdles on Friday, July 9. The Trials continue through Sunday, July 10.

Three Houston Cougars to compete at U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2016 TexSport Publications

EUGENE, OREGON (July 1, 2016) The Houston Cougars will continue the tradition of having a presence at the United States Track and Field Olympic Trials being held in Eugene, Oregon beginning on Saturday, July 1, 2016. Three current athletes and one alumni will converge at Hayward Field with the goal of making the Olympic team and competing in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil at the Games of the 23^rd Olympiad. Lettermen Cameron Burrell, Issac Williams, and LeShon Collins, along with alumnus Chris Carter, will carry the banner of the Houston Cougars during the 10-day event.

Cameron Burrell

Photo courtesy of University of Houston

Athletics Communications. 

Burrell, who is the son of Houston head coach Leroy Burrell, will compete in the 100-meter dash. He is seed 32^nd in the event with the time of 10.16 seconds. The top seed is Justin Gatlin with the time of 9.77. Gatlin, who runs for Nike, is the 2004 Olympic gold medalist in the event. He earned a bronze medal in the same event in the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

LeShon Collins

Photo courtesy of University of Houston

Athletics Communications. 

Collins will also be competing in the 100-meters, in which he is the 31^st seed with the time of 10.15. In addition, he will run the 200-meters. In the longer event, he is seeded 32^nd with the time of 20.43. Gatlin is also the top seed in the 200-meters with the time of 19.74.

Isaac Williams

Photo courtesy of University of Houston

Athletics Communications. 

The 110-meter hurdles will be the lone event for Williams. His time of 13.43 seeds him 11^th in the heats with Adidas’ Aleec Harris holding the top time of 13.11. Carter, who will compete in the triple jump, has the fifth longer lead of all qualifiers with the distance of 17.12 meters (56 feet, 2 inches). The top triple jumper is Nike’s Christian Taylor at 17.76 meters (58 feet 3 inches). 

Houston Area Swimmers Compete at U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2012 TexSport Publications

OMAHA, NEBRASKA (June 25, 2012) Forty-five swimmers from the Houston-Gulf Coast area are competing at the 2012 United States Olympic Swimming Trials in Omaha, Nebraska from June 25-July 2, 2012.

The trials are being held in CenturyLink Center in downtown Omaha and are featuring over 1200 swimmers from across the United States

The Gulf LSC, which is the local swimming committee of USA Swimming which oversees swimming in the Texas Gulf area, has ten teams represented at the trials.

Below is a list of the swimmers and their teams.

Live update of the trials can be found at Omega Timing while live webcast of selected heats and events can be found at the USA Swimming website.

AGGIE SWIM CLUB

Ashley Adams

Camille Adams

John Ariens

Kelli Benjamin

Alyssa Conner

Meagan Hairston

Anna Heller

Sarah Henry

Breeja Larson

Megan Latone

Caroline McElhany

Maureen McLaine

Emily Neubert

Christina Regone

Jaclin Rehring

BLUE TIDE AQUATICS

Jordan Jones

Julian Vitarius

CYPRESS-FAIRBANKS SWIM CLUB

Neil Caskey

Cole Cragin

Jonathan Edwards

Ellen Lobb

Chelsie Miller

Charles Moore

Anna Patterson

Catherine Wagner

FIRST COLONY SWIM TEAM

Daniel Graviss

Jordan Hancock

Romy Landeck

Simone Manuel

Brett Pinfold

Skylar Smith

KATY AQUATIC TEAM FOR YOUTH

Cameron McHugh

PEARLAND AQUATICS

Anthony Diers

PREMIER AQUATICS CLUB OF KLEIN

Casey Clark

Ryan Massey

MAGNOLIA AQUATIC CLUB

Cannon Clifton

Margaret Cooke

THE WOODLANDS SWIM TEAM

James Cooper

Jonathan Debaugh

Elliot Dewlen

Kelsey Leneave

Michael McBroom

Gray Umback

HOUSTON SWIM CLUB (UNATTACHED)

Jacob Ritter

UNATTACHED

Maria Sommer

One World and Three American Records Fall at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials

OMAHA, NEBRASKA (July 6, 2008) One world and three American records were broken Saturday at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Swimming. In addition, Michael Phelps (Baltimore, Md.) and Katie Hoff (Townson, Md.) picked up their fifth wins of the week in front of a crowd of 13,717 at the Qwest Center Omaha.

Margaret Hoelzer (Huntsville, Ala.) of King Aquatic Club set the world record in the 200m back with a time of 2:06.09, three-tenths ahead of the former mark held by Zimbabwe’s Kirsty Coventry.

“This is my first world record,” Hoelzer said. “It’s a wonderful surprise. I’m in awe and amazed. I’m happy to be where I am right now.

“I wanted to be close at the 100 and wanted to go out with Hayley, and be in front of Elizabeth at the end. I don’t know how you can’t be excited with an event like this.”

Elizabeth Beisel (Saunderstown, R.I.) touched second in 2:06.92, which was under the former American record of 2:07.16 held by Hoelzer. Beisel also qualified for the Olympic Team earlier in the week in the women’s 400m IM.

“It’s pretty cool being the rookie,” said Beisel, who, at 15, is the youngest member of this year’s Olympic Team. “There are so many veterans (on the team) that will hopefully help me out with nerves and stuff.”

Later in the meet, Garrett Weber-Gale (Milwaukee, Wis.) broke the American record in the 50m free in 21.47. The win was Weber-Gale’s second victory of the meet after winning the men’s 100m free Thursday, also in American record time.

Weber-Gale faced the top three Americans of all time – Cullen Jones (New Brunswick, N.J.), Ben Wildman-Tobriner (San Francisco, Calif.) and Gary Hall (Miami Beach, Fla.) – in Saturday night’s finals of the 50. His swim not only made him the fastest American ever, but also the fourth-fastest of all time in this event and the fourth-fastest time in the world this year. Wildman-Tobriner finished second in 21.65.

“I knew if I came in here and swam my best times, I’d be in the ballgame to finish in the top two spots,” Weber-Gale said. “It’s great to come in here and win both (the 50 and 100 free) and keep my confidence high going into Beijing.”





In the semifinals of the women’s 50m free, the American record fell twice. Jessica Hardy (Long Beach, Calif.) broke the record first with a time of 24.48. Then Dara Torres (Los Angeles, Calif.) lowered the record to 24.38 just one heat later.

In between those swims, a familiar scene played out in the men’s 100m butterfly, with Ian Crocker (Portland, Maine) jumping out to a half-second lead over Phelps in the first 50, and Phelps using his skills off the turn to propel himself to the front of the pack with Crocker for the race down the homestretch.

Phelps pulled away with about 35 meters to go and cruised to the win in 50.89. Crocker was second in 51.62. The two have been the world’s fastest swimmers in this event since the 2003 World Championships in Barcelona, where Crocker first set the world record.

“My goal was just to make my third Olympic Team,” Crocker said. “I’m relieved to take that deep breath now and go on to Beijing.”

Phelps also won the men’s 400m IM, 200m free, 200m fly and 200m IM earlier in the week.

“I’m only halfway done,” Phelps said. “It’s a week of competition that’s come to a close, and now we have a month to prepare for the Olympics. Hopefully we can come back in another month and prove the U.S. is the best team in the world.”

In the women’s 800m free, Hoff and defending world champion Kate Ziegler (Great Falls, Va.) were stroke-for-stroke for the first half of the race, when Hoff took a slight lead. Hoff steadily built her margin on Ziegler each length after that and touched about four and a half seconds ahead at the finish. Ziegler was second in 8:25.38.

Hoff’s meet record bested the 20-year-old mark of 8:23.59 set in 1988 by Olympic legend Janet Evans. In addition to her win in the 800 Saturday, Hoff also won the 400m IM, 400m free, 200m free and 200m IM earlier in the week.

“I’ve learned that I can handle it,” Hoff said of her event schedule. “It’s definitely challenging, both mentally and physically, but having done it once now gives me the confidence to do it again.”

Tonight’s second-place finishers Crocker, Ziegler, and Wildman-Tobriner, were named to the U.S. Olympic Team in their respective events.

A number of other swimmers were added to the Olympic Team based on their efforts earlier in the week. Those swimmers included David Walters (Yorktown, Va.), Erik Vendt (North Easton, Mass.), Kim Vandenberg (Morage, Calif.), Christine Marshall (Newport News, Va.) Emily Silver and Wildman-Tobriner.

Today's events will be the finals of the women’s 50m free and the men’s 1500m free. Finals will begin live on NBC at 7 p.m. CT.

Carter completes father-daughter Olympic legacy

EUGENE, OREGON (July 6, 2008) Michelle Carter became a second-generation Olympian and Jessica Cosby made some history as the women's throws took center stage Saturday at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Track & Field. Men's competition, including victories by Anthony Famiglietti, Jesse Williams and Kevin Eastler, was overshadowed by the injury of Tyson Gay.

U.S. high school record holder Michelle Carter made her first Olympic Team as an elite athlete, winning the women's shot put with a personal-best and U.S.-leading mark of 18.85m/61-10.25. In becoming an Olympian, she follows in the footsteps of her father, 1984 Olympic shot put silver medalist and boys' high school record holder Michael Carter. The 22-year-old Michelle Carter is the 2004 World Junior champion and 20003 Pan Am Junior gold medalist. At the 2003 Texas state meet, she set the national prep record with her throw of 16.73m/54-10.75. Michael Carter's national HS record of 81 feet, 3.5 inches is considered by many to be the greatest high school record in any event in history.

Three-time national outdoor champion and 2004 Olympian Kristin Heaston finished second in Saturday's competition with 18.34m/60-2.0, and three-time USA indoor champion Jillian Camarena was third with 18.12m/59-05.5 as seven women exceeded 58 feet.

41-Year-Old Dara Torres Makes USA Olympic Swimming Team

OMAHA, NEBRASKA (July 5, 2008) One world record was broken and another tied Friday at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Swimming. Aaron Peirsol (Irvine, Calif.) tied the world record and qualified in the men’s 200m back, turning in a time of 1:54.32, and Michael Phelps (Baltimore, Md.) broke his own world record and added the 200m IM to his Olympic program with a time of 1:54.80. For Phelps, the 200m IM was his fourth win of the week, after taking the 400m IM, the 200m free and the 200m fly. He has qualified for the Olympics in five events, including the 4x200m free relay.

Forty-one year-old Dara Torres (Los Angeles, Calif.) became the oldest U.S. swimmer to ever qualify for an Olympic Games, and the first swimmer to make five Olympics, after winning the 100m freestyle in a time of 53.78. Natalie Coughlin (Vallejo, Calif.) of California Aquatics, snapped up the second spot, finishing .05 seconds behind in 53.83. Coughlin has also qualified in the 100m back, 200m IM and 4x100m free relay.

Ryan Lochte (Daytona Beach, Fla.), who now shares the world record in the 200m back with Peirsol, finished second in the 200m back (1:54.34) and the 200m IM (1:55.22), qualifying for both events at the Olympics. He was also officially recognized as a qualifier in the 400m IM.

Rebecca Soni (Plainsboro, N.J.) qualified for her first Olympic team, winning the women’s 200m breaststroke in 2:22.60. The second spot went to three-time Olympian Amanda Beard (Irvine, Calif.), the defending Olympic gold medalist, in 2:25.13. Beard has now qualified for four Olympic teams in this event.

Lacey Nymeyer (Tucson, Ariz.) was third in the 100m free in 54.02, followed by Trojan Swim Club’s Jessica Hardy (Long Beach, Calif.) in 54.62. Both qualified for the Olympic Team in the 4x100m freestyle relay.

The first- and second-place finishers in each of tonight’s finals – along with the top four finishers in the women’s 100m free -- qualified for the U.S. Olympic Team. A number of swimmers who finished second in their events earlier in the week were also officially added to the Olympic Team Friday.

Those swimmers included Lochte (400m IM); Peter Vanderkaay (Rochester, Mich.) of Club Wolverine in the 400m free; Mark Gangloff (Stow, Ohio) in the 100m breast; Matt Grevers (Lake Forest, Ill.) in the 100m back; Gil Stovall (Memphis, Tenn.) of Athens Bulldog Swim Club in the 200m fly; and Eric Shanteau (Lilburn, Ga.) of Longhorn Aquatic Club in the 200m breast.

In the men’s 200m backstroke, Peirsol and Lochte were stroke-for-stroke the whole way, with neither swimmer enjoying more than a two-tenths-of-a second lead over the other throughout the entire race. The two touched the wall almost simultaneously, with Peirsol claiming the first spot in world record time.

It was Peirsol’s second win of the meet after taking the men’s 100m back in world record time on Tuesday.

“I was just trying to make the team,” Peirsol said. “I knew going in what kind of race it would be. I didn’t know if we were going 1:55 or 1:53, but I was happy to get my hand on the wall first.”

Lochte had just about 25 minutes between races before he was up on the blocks again, facing Phelps in the 200m IM. Though Phelps led for much of the race, Lochte took a slight half-second lead at the end of the breaststroke leg, setting up the battle down the homestretch.

Phelps edged Lochte at the finish by 42-hundredths of a second, as the crowd of 13,247 got to its feet. Lochte’s time was the third-fastest of all time in this event.

“I think both of us hate to lose,” said Phelps, referring to his and Lochte’s competitive drive. “When getting in the water with him in the last three or four races, it’s taken a world record to win”

Soni turned in the second-fastest time of the year in the women’s 200m breast and missed the American record held by Amanda Beard by 16-hundredths of a second.

She led the race from start to finish and was a hundredth of a second ahead of world-record pace at 100 meters. She finished about two body-lengths ahead of the rest of the field, leaving the rest to fight for second place.

“You never get used to this,” Beard said. “I’m pumped. Not a lot of people expected me to make this team. I knew I could make it, but I knew it was a long shot. I haven’t had a lot of training under my belt, and I’m not feeling 100 percent, but fortunately, it worked out fine. I think my experience really helped me out here.

SEMIFINALS

Stanford Swimming’s Ben Wildman-Tobriner (San Francisco, Calif.) will be the top seed in tomorrow night’s finals of the 50m free after clocking a 21.65 in tonight’s semifinals. In prelims, SwimMAC’s Cullen Jones (Irvington, N.J.) set the American record in 21.59, breaking the 8-year-old mark of 21.76 held by the Race Club’s Gary Hall Jr. (Miami Beach, Fla.) Jones qualified as the second seed Friday in 21.71, while Hall, the defending Olympic gold medalist, qualified fourth in 21.94.

Elizabeth Beisel (Saunderstown, R.I.) of Bluefish Swim Club is the top qualifier from the semifinals of the women’s 200m back with a time of 2:07.78. Earlier in the day, Hayley McGregory (Houston, Texas) of Longhorn Aquatics broke the 16-year-old meet record in prelims in 2:08.76, only to have Beisel break that record in the very next heat in 2:07.44. McGregory is the second seed in tomorrow night’s finals (2:08.28), while Margaret Hoelzer (Huntsville, Ala.) of King Aquatic Club, the 2004 Olympic qualifier and American record-holder in this event, is the third seed in 2:09.04.

The top two swimmers of all time in the 100m butterfly – Ian Crocker (Portland, Maine)and Michael Phelps (Baltimore, Md.) – will face off in tomorrow night’s finals as the top two seeds. Phelps, the defending Olympic and world champ, is the top seed in 51.10. Crocker, the world record-holder, is the second seed in 51.52.

Tomorrow’s events include prelims and semifinals of the women’s 50m free. Prelims of the men’s 1500m free will also be conducted, as will the finals of the women’s 200m back, men’s 100m fly, women’s 800m free and men’s 50m free.

Finals and semifinals will be broadcast live on NBC, beginning at 7 p.m. CT.

Scott Spann Wins Men’s 200m Breast at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials

OMAHA, NEBRASKA (July 4, 2008) Scott Spann (Austin, Tex.) won the men’s 200m breaststroke with a time of 2:09.97 Thursday at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Swimming, defeating American record-holder and Longhorn Aquatics teammate Brendan Hansen (Havertown, Pa.) in the process.

Along with Spann, nine other people were named to the U.S. Olympic Team in front of 13,011 fans at Qwest Center Omaha on Day five, including a number of women who finished second in their events earlier in the week.

Swimmers named to the Olympic Team Thursday include: Elizabeth Beisel (Saunderstown, R.I.), in the 400m I.M. Kate Ziegler (Great Falls, Va.) in the 400m free, Margaret Hoelzer (Huntsville, Ala.) in the 100m back, Megan Jendrick (Puyallup, Wash.) in the 100m breast, Elaine Breeden (Louisville, Ky.) in the 200m fly, Kathleen Hersey (Atlanta, Ga.) in the 200m fly, Garrett Weber-Gale (Milwaukee, Wis.), Jason Lezak (Irvine, Calif.), Cullen Jones (Irvington, N.J.) and Nathan Adrian (Bremerton, Wash.) in the 100m free.

In the men’s 200m breast, Hansen was out in front for the first 100 meters of the race, with Longhorn Aquatics teammate Spann and Eric Shanteau (Lilburn, Ga.) shadowing him closely in the lanes on either side. Shanteau drew within seven-hundredths of a second to Hansen on the third turn, and as the three swimmers raced home, Spann pulled ahead in the final 25 meters or so.

Spann finished first, followed by Shanteau in 2:10.36. Hansen faded to fourth in 2:11.37, behind fellow 2004 Olympian Scott Usher (Grand Island, Neb.) in 2:11.00.

“In the last 15 meters, I got so tired,” Spann said. “All I could think in my head was, ‘This is coming on four years, and this is my last stroke.’

In the men’s 100m free, Weber-Gale came out on top, turning in a time of 47.92 and edging out American record-holder Lezak by 13-hundredths of a second.

Lezak was the first swimmer to the turn in Thursday’s finals, but the whole field was neck-and-neck down the homestretch. Weber-Gale was first, followed by Lezak in 48.05, Jones in 48.35, Adrian in 48.46. Because of the 4x100m free relay, the top four finishers automatically make the Olympic team. Matt Grevers (Lake Forest, Ill.) finished fifth in 48.67, and Ben Wildman-Tobriner (San Francisco, Calif.) was sixth in 48.80. They may be named to the Olympic team later in the week, pending swimmers competing in multiple events.

“It really hurts that last 15 meters,” Weber-Gale said. “I just tried to relax my legs and not really think of anyone else. I just tried to get my head in line and get to the wall.”

Elaine Breeden won the women’s 200m butterfly in 2:06.75, breaking the meet record of 2:07.33 that she set in last night’s semifinals.

The race for second was between Kathleen Hersey, Mary DeScenza (Naperville, Ill.) and Kim Vandenberg (Moraga, Calif.). It was Hersey who pulled ahead down the stretch, touching second in 2:07.33. Hersey was named to the team in the medal ceremony later in the evening.

The winners in each of tonight’s finals – along with the top four swimmers in the men’s 100m free – automatically qualified for the U.S. Olympic Team. Unless otherwise stated, the second-place finishers in tonight’s finals – along with the fifth- and sixth-place finishers in the men’s 100m free – will likely be named to the team later in the week, pending swimmers qualifying in multiple events.

In semifinal action, Natalie Coughlin (Vallejo, Calif.) turned in the top time of the women’s 100m free with a time of 53.66. Dara Torres (Los Angeles, Calif.) finished just behind Coughlin and will be the second seed tomorrow in 53.76.

Coughlin set the meet record in this event in prelims Thursday in 53.64. Both she and Lacey Nymeyer (Tucson, Ariz.) finished prelims under the previous meet record of 54.07. Nymeyer is the third seed after tonight’s semifinals, clocking a 54.07.

The matchup in the finals of tomorrow night’s men’s 200m backstroke will feature the top two swimmers of all time in that event, Ryan Lochte (Daytona Beach, Fla.) and Aaron Peirsol (Irvine, Calif.), as the top two seeds. Peirsol turned in the fastest time in the semifinals in 1:55.78, with Lochte qualifying second in 1:56.52.

Rebecca Soni (Plainsboro, N.J.) clocked the second-fastest time of the year in the semifinals of the 200m breast in 2:23.05. Amanda Beard (Irvine, Calif.) qualified as the second seed for tomorrow night’s final behind Soni in 2:25.43.

Lochte will also go head-to-head Friday against Michael Phelps (Baltimore, Md.) in the finals of the 200m I.M. Phelps and Lochte are the top two swimmers of all time in this event and are seeded 1-2 heading into tomorrow night’s finals. Lochte qualified first in 1:57.57, while Phelps qualified second in 1:58.05.

Tomorrow’s events include prelims and semifinals of the men’s 50m free, men’s 100m fly and women’s 200m back. Prelims and finals of the women’s 800m free will also be conducted, as will the finals in the women’s 200m breast, men’s 200m back, men’s 200m IM and women’s 100m free.

Friday night’s finals and semifinals will air live on NBC, beginning at 7 p.m. CT.

FROGS TRAVEL TO OLYMPIC TRIALS

FORT WORTH, TEXAS (June 29, 2009) Former TCU swimming standouts Jonathon Berrettini and Scott McCracken will travel to Omaha, Neb., to attempt to qualify for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China. Berrettini will compete in the 100-back event on June 30, while McCracken hopes to qualify in the 50-free on July 5.

Berrettini, a native of Lewisville, Texas, put together one of the best seasons in TCU history, setting two new school records and qualifying for the NCAA Championships to become the first TCU swimmer to compete at the event since 1997. Berrettini set new TCU marks in the 100-back (48.16) and 100-free (44.70), and earned six All-Mountain West Conference selections.

McCracken became the first TCU swimmer to eclipse the 20-second mark, posting a
blistering time of 19.99 in the 50-free event this season. The Houston product won eight events during the 2007-08 season and earned five all-conference selections.

Houston's Horton Nominated to 2008 U.S. Olympic Team

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVAINA (June 22, 2008) Jonathan Horton of Houston and 2004 Olympic all-around champion Paul Hamm of Waukesha, Wisconsin were nominated to the 2008 U.S. Olympic Men’s Gymnastics Team following the conclusion of the yesterday's men’s competition at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Gymnastics, held at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia. The balance of the squad will be nominated to the U.S. Olympic Team toDAY, pending approval from the U.S. Olympic Committee. The final day of the women’s competition at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Gymnastics is today (Sunday) at 6 p.m. ET.

“I’ve worked my whole life for this, to make the Olympic Team,” said Horton, who competes for Team Chevron. “All of these athletes have pushed me to where I’m at today. I was just having fun out there today. I’m more confident with my gymnastics then I’ve ever been before.”

Horton finished first in the weighted, combined all-around rankings from the Visa Championships and U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Gymnastics. Hamm broke the fourth metacarpal in his right hand on the first day of competition at the 2008 Visa Championships, May 22-24 in Houston, and filed a petition to the Olympic Team, which was accepted.

“I have a lot of work to do to get healthy and show the committee I’m ready,” said Hamm, who competes for Team Chevron.

The five-man men’s selection committee named both Horton and Hamm to the team after no athlete met the minimum requirements for automatic qualification, as outlined in the selection procedures. To be automatically named to the team, an athlete needed to finish in the top two in the combined, weighted all-around rankings from the two selection events, as well as place in the top three of six events using the combined results.

“We will pick the team with the best potential for success based on how they have performed,” said Dennis McIntyre, senior men’s program director for USA Gymnastics. “No one met the automatic selection criteria. The selection committee met in advance and we had a game plan for what we would look for and consider in the event no one automatically qualified. We will meet tonight and tomorrow to review the results, look at scores, look at what each can contribute to the team and run through all of the scenarios to see what combination of men will give us the best team.”

Horton earned 90.750 points in the overall Olympic selection rankings, followed by Joseph Hagerty of Rio Rancho, N.M./Team Chevron, in second with 89.940 points and Raj Bhavsar of Houston/Team Chevron in third at 89.860.

“There was nothing more I could have given or done,” Bhavsar said. “I turned my life around almost a year ago and said I am going to do this.”

“I did all I could out there,” Hagerty said. “It is all up to the committee right now. Whoever they put on it, this team is going to do a fantastic job.”

Horton finished first in tonight’s all-around competition with a score of 91.650. David Durante of Garwood, N.J./Team Chevron, was second with a 90.950 and Bhavsar was third with a 90.200.

After four rotations, Hagerty was leading the weighted all-around standings with a score of 81.660, followed by Bhavsar with an 81.235 and Horton with an 81.210. In the fifth rotation, Horton posted a 16.100 for his handspring double front vault, and moved into first place in the weighted rankings with an 86.055. Hagerty’s 13.500 on pommel horse dropped him to second with 85.710 points, and Bhavsar was third with an 85.435.

The high scores of the day were: Sean Golden of Camden, N.J., on floor exercise, 15.700, and vault, 16.400; Durante on pommel horse, 15.050; Kevin Tan of Fremont, Calif., on still rings, 16.550; Raj Bhavsar on parallel bars, 15.700; and Morgan Hamm on horizontal bars, 15.500.

Tickets are still available for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Gymnastics, and may be purchased online at ComcastTIX.com, by phone at 1-800-298-4200, or at the Wachovia Center Box Office. Visa is the only card accepted for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Gymnastics.

Past sites for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for gymnastics are: 2004, Anaheim, Calif.; 1996 and 2000, Boston; 1992, Baltimore, Md.; 1988, Salt Lake City, Utah; and 1980 and 1984, Jacksonville, Fla.

The U.S. Olympic Team Trials for all sports is a collaborative, three-way partnership between the U.S. Olympic Committee, the national governing bodies and the local organizing committees.

Six Texas Gymnasts Qualify for Olympic Trials

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2008 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (June 9, 2008) Six Texas gymnasts were recently selected to compete at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Team Trials scheduled for June 19-22 in Philadelphia.

In the women's division, Alaina Johnson of Tyler (Texas East), Nastia Liukin of Parker, (WOGA), Chelsea Davis of Lakeway (Texas Dreams) will join men's selections Raj Bhavsar, Jonathan Horton, and Sean Townsend, all from Houston representing Team Chevron at the trials.

Johnson, who is the 2007 all-around world champion, earned a combined score of 127.500 to win the VISA all-around championship. Liukin, the 2005-06 U.S. all-around champion, finished second with a 126.500.

“I was most happy about floor today,” Johnson said. “It’s a new routine and I didn’t feel like it was mine yet, but after today, I feel like I own it, and it fits me.”

Johnson won floor exercise with a combined score of 32.250. Liukin claimed two individual event titles: uneven bars with a score of 34.150 and balance beam with a 32.450. Sacramone, who has three world vault medals to her credit, won vault with a score of 30.700 for her fourth straight U.S. vault crown.

TEN OLYMPIANS CROWNED AT U.S. OLYMPIC TEAM BOXING TRIALS

From USA Boxing Press Release

(HOUSTON,TX, August 25, 2007) Ten U.S. Olympians were crowned on Saturday night at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Boxing at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas. Two bouts will be contested on Sunday at 2 p.m. in the bantamweight and featherweight divisions to determine the remaining two spots.

Light flyweight Luis Yanez (Duncanville, Texas) met Malcolm Franklin (Rialto, Calif.) for the second time this tournament. Yanez, 2007 Pan American Games gold medalist, got off to an early start, and was up 9-2 at the end of the first. Yanez did not let up in the second building a commanding 20-4 lead. Franklin received two eight counts in that round and Yanez scored 11 points. Up by 19 at the end of the third, Yanez went on to win a spot on the 2008 Olympic Team by a score of 35-11. “It took a lot of hard work and dedication, the 11 years really paid off. Its one of the best memories of my life, especially because my family and friends are here,” Yanez said. “In the second round, he was hurt, I was trying to stop him but also protect myself and my lead.”

Rau’shee Warren (Cincinnati, Ohio) faced Qa’id Muhammad (Atlantic City, N.J.) in the flyweight division with an Olympic berth on the line. Warren took a commanding lead in the first round and was up 15-1 going into the second. Warren made quick work of Muhammad, building a 20-point advantage to stop Muhammad at the 1:11 mark of the the second round. With this victory, Warren is now a member of the U.S. Olympic Team. An Olympian in the 2004 Summer Games, Warren is the first boxer in 30 years to compete in two Olympic Games. “This is the sport I love, Qa’id is a good kid, I never look down on anybody, anything can happen in the ring,” Warren said. “I’m going to get that gold medal and put it around my mom’s neck.”

Bantamweights Roberto Marroquin (Dallas, Texas) and Gary Russell, Jr. (Capitol Heights, Md.) competed in a bantamweight rematch of the first day of the tournament. In that bout, Marroquin was victorious. However, Russell came out looking for revenge and wasted no time, dropping Marroquin to the canvas with a hook. At the end of the round, Russell was up 9-2. Each boxer scored four points in the second round, making the score 13-6 in favor of Russell. Russell maintained his seven point lead going into the fourth round and went on to defeat Molina 25-13. As a result, Molina and Russell will face off again tomorrow. Sunday’s bout will determine who makes the Olympic Team. “All my hard work paid off, I knew it wouldn’t be easy,” Russell said. I have to stay focused and humble. I never had a dream to become a professional or world champion, I had a dream to become an Olympian.”

It was a battle between the Williams in the featherweight division when Raynell Williams (Cleveland, Ohio) and hometown boxer Hylon Williams (Houston, Texas) faced each other in the hopes of keeping their Olympic dreams alive. R. Williams came out strong, scoring six points in the first to H. Williams’ two. R. Williams preserved his lead in the second round, but H. Williams began to chip away. Down four going into the fourth, H. Williams would not go down easily. In a remarkable comeback, H. Williams defeated R. Williams, 20-16. The two will box each other again tomorrow to determine who earns a spot on the Olympic Team. “I just put pressure on him and boxed smart, this time I was down going into the fourth,” Williams said. “I had to rally to go back and get the W. It would be a dream come true if I was to win tomorrow.”

Sadam Ali (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and Miguel Gonzalez (Celveland, Ohio) were paired in the lightweight bout of the night. It was a close second round with Ali earning a slight 4-3 edge over Gonzalez. The two were separated by only one again in the second round with Ali having an 8-4 lead. However, Ali pulled away in the third, scoring 10 points and holding Gonzalez to only two. Ali went on to defeat Gonzalez 22-10 and earn a spot on the Olympic Team. “I had a hard bracket from the start, I did what I had to do to win, this is what I worked hard for. This is what counted,” Ali said. “It felt good seeing the score after the third round, I can adapt to any style. I do whatever I have to do to win.”

Light welterweights Javier Molina (Commerce, Calif.) and Danny Garcia (Philadelphia, Pa.) battled it out in the ring tonight. Molina started off strong and jumped out to a 9-1 lead after the first. Molina preserved his lead in the second, landing some big punches, making the score 15-4. Although Garcia scored five points in the third, it was overshadowed by the eight points Molina earned. He went on to defeat Garcia 26-12 and was named an Olympian. “I came out big in the last three rounds. In the final round, I just tried to maintain my lead,” Molina said. “I kept on moving to stay up, he’s a strong kid so I didn’t want to box him. Ever since I started boxing, I waited for this moment.”

Winners’ bracket champion Demetrius Andrade (Providence, R.I.) and challengers’ bracket champion Keith Thurman (St. Petersburg, Fla.) competed in the welterweight division. Both boxers got off to a slow start, with Andrade, a member of the 2007 U.S. Pan American Team, earning a slim 1-0 lead. Andrade increased his lead to four by the end of the second and five by the end of the third. Andrade left nothing to chance, with the fourth round being his best. He went on to defeat Thurman 21-13 and also earned a spot on the Olympic Team. “We have boxed so many times, it comes down to who’s smarter,” Andrade said. “I’ve been boxing since I was six and I found out about the Olympics when I was eight and I just wanted to get there. It takes focus, discipline, and the will to win.”

Middleweights Shawn Estrada (Downey, Calif.) and Daniel Jacobs (Brooklyn, N.Y.) battled it out for a spot on the Olympic Team. Estrada held Jacobs scoreless in the first and held a 6-0 lead. Allowing only one point against, Estrada increased his lead to 9-1 at the end of the second and led 15-6 going into the fourth. Estrada went on to win 24-14 and will box in the 2008 Olympics. “I tried to focus myself on getting the win. I had the will, courage and desire to win,” Estrada. “I had a hard bracket but I took it day-by-day.”

Christopher Downs (Fort Carson, Colo.) faced Yathomas Riley (San Diego, Calif.) in the light heavyweight division. Up 5-1 going into the second round, Downs connected on his punches in the second and led 12-2 by the end of round two. Although he scored only three points in the third round, Downs maintained his lead, and had an 11 point cushion going into the final round. Downs went on to defeat Riley 21-11 and earn a spot on the 2008 Olympic Team. “It’s always a good win for the oldest guy in USA Boxing. I feel like I need to thank all my teammates for pushing me,” Downs said. “It was extremely tough bracket and all eight competitors earned their way here. It’s good to see that we (the Army team) can ambassadors inside and outside the ring.”

Heavyweights Deontay Wilder (Tuscaloosa, Ala.) and Quantis Graves (Cut Off, La.) met for the second time this competition. After becoming acclimated to each other, Wilder took a 2-0 lead at the end of the first. Wilder held Graves scoreless in the second as well and increased his lead to six. Graves was able to score six points in the third, but it was not enough to take the lead. Wilder won the bout by a score of 12-9 and to earn a spot on the 2008 Olympic Team. “It’s a very overwhelming feeling, I dedicate it all to my little girl. My plan was to go out there and have fun, I knew I was stronger.”

Wilder made the team in only his 21st bout, and reflected on his progress. “This Deontay would have stopped last year’s Deontay,” Wilder said.

Super heavyweights Michael Hunter (Las Vegas, Nev.) and Kimdo Bethel (Albany, N.Y.) met in the final bout of the evening. Hunter was up by two by the end of the first and held Bethel to one point in the second. He maintained his lead and was winning 10-6 going into the final round. Hunter defeated Bethel 14-7 and was named an Olympian. “I’m still not believing its true, I learned dedication from my father. I work hard, I have two of the best trainers,” Hunter said. “I work on my conditioning and my physical strength, which helped me in this bout.

The two bouts will begin at 2 p.m. on Sunday with the winner earning the title of U.S. Olympian.