University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
Olympic Roundup - Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012
August 09, 2012 | Bruin Athletics, Olympics
Aug. 9, 2012
UCLA's All-Time Olympic Medal-Winners
Five Bruins won medals today, including gold medals from USA teams in women's soccer and women's water polo. Lauren Cheney picked up her second career gold medal, while Kelly Rulon earned a gold to go along with her 2004 bronze. UCLA's all-time medal total now stands at 248, with 123 gold, 65 silver and 60 bronze.
Women's Water Polo
Guided by former UCLA head coach Adam Krikorian and Bruin standouts Kelly Rulon and Courtney Mathewson, Team USA defeated Spain 8-5 to win its first-ever Olympic gold medal on Thursday in London's Water Polo Arena.
Maggie Steffens scored five goals on the day, capping a binge of seven-straight goals for the U.S. that turned a 2-1 deficit with 6:44 left in the second period into an 8-2 lead with 7:20 remaining in the fourth quarter. Spain scored the final three goals of the match, but the Americans had built an insurmountable lead. Mathewson recorded one shot in seven minutes of action against Spain. Rulon played in 15 minutes, winning one sprint for Team USA.
Mathewson, a former Cutino Award winner (2008), won four national titles at UCLA (2005-08) and made her first Olympic appearance in the 2012 London Olympics. Rulon, the 2007 Cutino Award winner, also won four national championships at UCLA (2003, 2005-07) and was part of the bronze-medal winning team in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.
Krikorian assumed head coaching responsibilities of the U.S. Women's Water Polo National Team in the summer of 2009 after winning his fifth consecutive NCAA Championship at the helm of the UCLA women's program. In his 17 years with the Bruins' water polo programs as both a player and a coach, Krikorian won an unprecedented 15 national titles - 11 as a head coach, three as an assistant coach and one as a student-athlete. He can now Olympic gold medal coach to his impressive resume.
Women's Soccer
Thursday was a huge day for the UCLA women's soccer program, as three Bruin players earned medals at the 2012 Olympic Games before 80,203 fans at famed Wembley Stadium in London, England.
The day was highlighted by a thrilling 2-1 victory for Team USA over Japan in the gold medal match. Midfielder Carli Lloyd scored both goals for the U.S., which avenges a penalty kick loss to Japan in the final of the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup. Former UCLA women's soccer player Lauren Cheney came on in the 57th minute and played the final 33 minutes in the victory. Bruin Sydney Leroux did not see any action on Thursday, however she did play in a majority of Team USA's matches heading into the final. Former UCLA head coach Jillian Ellis also took part in the festivities, as she served as an assistant coach for the U.S. squad in London.
The gold medal is Cheney's second; she was a member of the gold medal squad in 2008. Ellis was also an assistant coach for the 2008 team.
Prior to the victory by Team USA, current UCLA junior Chelsea Stewart and Team Canada claimed the bronze medal with a 1-0 victory over France.
Track & Field
Amy Acuff, competing in her fifth Olympic Games, finished tied for 10th in group B with a clearance of 6-00.75 and did not qualify for the finals.
Women's Volleyball
The U.S. women's volleyball team advanced to the Gold Medal match with a three-set sweep of South Korea (25-20, 25-22, 25-22). The U.S., which has won all seven of its matches in London, will take on Brazil in the final on Saturday. UCLA Hall of Fame volleyball player Karch Kiraly is an assistant coach for the U.S. women's team, which is in search of its first Gold Medal.
News Links
1948 UCLA Olympian George Stanich speaks is profield the Daily Breeze .
The high jump competition in 2012 wasn't meant to be for five-time Olympian Amy Acuff, writes ESPN.com.
CNBC takes a look at marathoner Meb Keflezighi and his partnership with Skechers.
Coming Up Friday
Men's Basketball - Team USA (Kevin Love, Russell Westbrook) takes on Argentina in the semifinals at 1:00pm PT. NBC Sports Network will carry the game live on TV. NBCOlympics.com will stream it live as well.
Men's Water Polo - Team USA (Adam Wright, Chay Lapin) faces Spain in a 5-8 classification match at 6:20am PT. The match will be streamed live online at NBCOlympics.com.
