August 27, 2004

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Palo Alto Online

Local athletes bringing home the hardware

by Rick Eymer

Julie Foudy, known as one of the United States' Olympic women's soccer team's 'Fab Five,' was game time decision on Thursday. She injured her right ankle in Monday's semifinal victory over Germany and spent a day on crutches.

The former Stanford star returned to action and helped Team USA claim the gold medal with a 2-1 overtime victory over Brazil as the Americans - and former Cardinal athletes - continued to accumulate the heavy metals.

Stanford grad Ellen Estes and her USA women's water polo team had to settle for the bronze on Thursday after a 6-5 victory over Australia. Estes scored three goals, including the game winner and Stanford grad Jackie Frank recorded seven saves in the goal, one day after the Americans dropped a disappointing 6-5 decision to eventual gold medal winner Italy.

Meanwhile, the men's volleyball team, with Stanford grad Gabe Gardner, advanced to the semifinals on Wednesday with a stunning 25-22, 22-25, 25-27, 25-23, 17-15 victory over Greece. The Americans meet Brazil in today's semifinal.

Stanford grad Toby Stevenson also qualified for today's final in the men's pole vault, and the U.S. synchronized swimming team, with Stanford senior Erin Dobratz and Cardinal freshman Sara Lowe, are third in the team event entering today's final.

Foudy is retiring from the national team, and she was sent off with a gold to match the one she earned in Atlanta in 1996.

Abby Wambach scored 22 minutes into the extra period to lift the Americans to their victory. Wambach has 18 goals in her last 20 games. Lindsay Tarpley also scored.

Foudy, Mia Hamm, Joy Fawcett, Kristine Lilly and Brandi Chastain are the last members remaining from the 1991 World Cup team which stunned the world

"I'll miss being here with these players," said Hamm. "And learning from them, and growing and experiencing the greatest of times and the worst of times."

Stanford grad Kerri Walsh had to quit the indoor volleyball game because of constant shoulder problems. So she took to the beach and turned her athletic prowess into a gold medal winning performance.

Walsh and teammate Misty May took the top spot on the victory stand on Wednesday following a 21-17, 21-11 victory over Brazil's Shelda Bede and Adriana Behar at the Olympic Beach Volleyball Centre.

The pair did not lose a set in seven matches.
Women's water polo

Estes wasn't going to let Team USA go home empty-handed.

"Every day we have a game, we're ready," she said.

Stanford grad Brenda Villa, who did not score on Thursday, led the Americans with seven goals.

After giving up a late lead to Italy in the semifinals, Team USA almost lost a four-goal as Australia, the 2000 gold medalist, climbed from 4-0 and 5-1 deficits into a 5-5 tie early in the fourth period.

"I wouldn't say we were nervous," said American Robin Beauregard. "You know what you need to do." Beauregard fed a pass to Estes for the game-winning goal with 2:20 left in the game.

"This team is strong, and I just knew we were going to stick together and use the teamwork that we've used all through this quadrennial," Estes said. "I knew that everyone was going to do their part."

Stanford grad Margie Dingeldein also earned a medal.
Track and field

Stevenson qualified for the finals with a vault of 18-8 1/2.

"You know, it's incredible when you've got 80,000 people screaming at you from all sides," he said. "I feed off the crowd. It just amps me up even more. I'm ready. I'm in a grove. I've never felt this good."

Stanford grad Jonathon Riley raced 13:38.79 to finish 26th in the first round of the men's 5,000 meters, ending his Olympic competition.

"I was trying to enjoy the experience but it was difficult when I knew I wasn't running as well as I hoped," Riley said. It's frustrating, I would have liked to have performed better."

Stanford grad Jackie Edwards, competing for the Bahamas, just missed qualifying for the women's long jump finals, finishing 14th with a leap of 21-5 1/2.
Synchronized swimming

The United States scored a 97.167 in the technical program on Thursday, holding a slight lead over Spain in the medal competition.

Stanford freshman Courtney Stewart, competing for Canada, finished sixth in the Duet Final.
Triathlon

Stanford grad Barb Linquist was ninth in the women's final with a combined time of 2:06:25.49.

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