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Another Olympic swimming medal highlighted Wednesday’s efforts from Stanford athletes at the Tokyo Olympics. Former Cardinal players also helped men’s volleyball, rowing and other sports. Read on for the latest updates.
Swimming
Stanford grad and world record holder Katie Ledecky won the gold medal in the women’s 1,500 free roughly 73 minutes after finishing fifth in the 200 free at the Tokyo Aquatics Center.
The longer the distance, the better Ledecky swims. She won the 1,500 with a time of 15:37.34, over four seconds faster than second place Erica Sullivan, her fellow American.
Ledecky owns the world record in the event (15:20.48 on May 16, 2018 in Indianapolis) and set the Olympic record (15:35.35) on Monday.
Wednesday’s victory gives her six Olympic gold medals. She also has two silver medals. She’ll also compete in the 800 free on Thursday.
Australia’s Ariarne Titmus won her second gold medal in the 200 free, winning in an Olympic record 1:53.50, 1.71 seconds ahead of Ledecky.
Stanford’s Andrei Minakov placed fifth in the finals of the 100 free, swimming a time of 48.03. Minakov, competing for the Russian Olympics Committee, was in second place after 50 meters.
ROC’s Kliment Kolesnikov won the race in 47.11.
Recent Stanford grad Brooke Forde helped the U.S. win its heat of the 4×200 free relay and earn a spot in the finals. The Americans were timed in 7:47.57, with Forde swimming the anchor leg in 1:57.00.
Stanford alum Andi Murez, competing for Israel, finished eighth (54.06) in her heat of the women’s 100 free trials while Ron Polonsky was fourth (1:58.95) in his heat of the 200 individual medley.
Volleyball
Former Stanford standout Erik Shoji recorded 10 digs and the U.S. men’s volleyball team rebounded from a loss to beat Tunisia 25-14, 23-25, 25-14, 25-23 Wednesday at Ariake Arena.
The Americans (2-1 in pool play) meets Brazil on Friday.
Rowing
Stanford was represented by two athletes competing for two different countries, each in the same position (stroke) on the boat, in the women’s four B final at Sea Forest Waterway.
Grace Luczak, who earned a gold medal with the women’s eight four years ago, helped the U.S. win the B final, seventh overall, with a time of 6:33.65.
Stephanie Grauer, also a two-time Olympian, helped Canada finish fourth in the race and 11th overall. Canada finished in 6:35.15.
The U.S. men’s eight, with Stanford grad Austin Hack on board in seat four, placed third in Wednesday’s repechage to earn a spot in the A final.
The Americans finished with a time of 5:23.43, 1.39 seconds behind winner New Zealand.
Stanford’s Alie Rusher was in seat three for the U.S. women’s quadruple sculls. They finished fourth in the B final in 6:30.03.
Gymnastics
Stanford’s Brody Malone placed 10th in the artistic gymnastics event Wednesday at the Ariake Gymnastics Center.
Malone, who led Stanford to the NCAA team title in the spring, is a five-time NCAA champion and 12-time All-American. He’s been named the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Gymnast of the Year three times and still has a year of eligibility remaining.
Malone scored 84.465. Gold medalist Daiki Hashimoto, from Japan, scored 88.465. There were 24 competitors overall.
Men’s basketball
Former Stanford star KZ Okpala scored five points, grabbed six rebounds, had two assists and a team-high five steals but Nigeria lost to Germany 99-92 on Wednesday, falling to 0-2.
Incoming Stanford freshman Regan Smith placed second in her semifinal heat of the 200 fly, qualifying for her second championship final. Smith was timed in 2:06.64, .41 seconds behind American teammate Hali Flickinger.
Women’s water polo
Hungary scored with 45 seconds remaining to upset the U.S. national women’s team 10-9 on Wednesday.
Maddie Musselman scored three goals to lead the Americans, who were held to a 29% shooting percentage (9×31) in the contest.
The U.S. plays the Russian Olympic Committee on Friday on the final day of the preliminary round.
The Americans were 5-0 against Hungary this year, including in the championship match of the FINA World League Super Final on June 19.
It was also the first time a team other than Australia beat the U.S. since the Netherlands did so on Dec. 16, 2015.
Stanford’s Makenzie Fischer added two goals while Stanford alums Melissa Seidemann and Maggie Steffens each added one.
Canada, with Stanford grad Gurpreet Sohi leading the way with four goals, beat South Africa 20-1.
Rugby
The U.S. Rugby Sevens placed sixth, losing to South Africa 28-7 in its final match.
The Americans (3-3), captained by East Palo Alto resident and Woodside High grad Folau Niua, beat Canada 21-14 earlier in the day to advance to the fifth-place match.
By Rick Eymer
By Rick Eymer
By Rick Eymer
By Rick Eymer