UCLA ranked amongst the nation's most successful universities at the recently completed Olympic Games in Beijing, China. Thirty-nine current and former Bruins participated in the Olympics, with 15 athletes winning medals, including four gold. In addition, five Bruins led their teams to medals as Olympic coaches.
The first Bruin gold medalist of the Games was assistant rowing coach Mark Hunter, who captured Great Britain's first ever gold medal in lightweight double sculls with partner Zac Purchase on Aug. 17. Two days later, hurdler Dawn Harper became the second consecutive Bruin to win the 100m hurdles at the Olympics, running a lifetime best 12.54. Bruin junior Lauren Cheney played the final 49 minutes of the contest in the gold medal match, helping the U.S. women's soccer team capture the gold with a 1-0 overtime win over Brazil. And on the eve of the closing ceremonies, Monique Henderson won her second consecutive gold medal in the 4x400m Relay. Two Bruins were assistant coaches on gold medal-winning squads - current UCLA women's soccer head coach Jillian Ellis and men's volleyball alumnus John Speraw. UCLA women's track and field coach Jeanette Bolden served as head coach of the USA women's track and field squad, which won nine medals, the most since the 1992 Olympics and the third-most in U.S. history.
Nine Bruins won silver medals - one individual (Sheena Tosta in the 400m hurdles) and eight team medals. Winning team silver were the U.S. softball team (Andrea Duran, Tairia Flowers, Stacey Nuveman and Natasha Watley), the U.S. women's water polo team (Natalie Golda, Jaime Hipp and head coach Guy Baker), and the U.S. men's water polo team (Brandon Brooks and Adam Wright).
A pair of bronze medals were earned by U.S. swimmer Kim Vandenberg in the 4x400 Free Relay and Australian softball pitcher Tanya Harding, who won her fourth career Olympic medal.
Overall, UCLA has won 236 Olympic medals - 119 gold, 62 silver and 55 bronze. The Bruins have had at least one competitor in every Olympics since 1928 and have won a gold medal in every Olympics since 1932, with the exception of the U.S.-boycotted Olympics in 1980.
Over the past nine decades, 372 athletes and coaches have represented UCLA in the Summer Olympic Games. With eight Olympic medals, Shirley Babashoff remains UCLA's all-time medal winner with eight in her career (2 gold, 6 silver). Swimmer Tom Jager has the most Olympic medals by a Bruin man with seven (5 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze). Jager also has the distinction of having won the most gold medals by any UCLA athlete.
August 26, 2008 Julie Chiu
I thought I'd dedicate my last blog entry to Bruins in Beijing to actually be about Bruins IN Beijing.
In mid June the Alumni Association held a reception to welcome Chancellor Block to Beijing. I was stoked to have UCLA come to me. Upon meeting Chancellor Block and shaking his hand, he paid me a compliment and said I had a very good American accent. I respectfully told him that I am American.
After that event, it led to an invitation to contribute to the Bruins in Beijing blog.
During these Olympics, it's been a windfall of Bruins traveling to Beijing. Besides Bruin athletes and coaches, there were several Bruins in town working behind the scenes.
My friend Shira Andron volunteered for the US Olympic Committee working in their Press Office. My friend Danny Harrington worked for NBC on their Stat Crew for Indoor Volleyball. Danny is really an Aztec but has worked at UCLA for 10 years so he's got enough Bruin blood in him now. The three of us worked together in the Athletic Department several years ago.
I took pleasure in showing them the UCLA store at the Ginza Mall in Dongzhimen. There are several UCLA stores throughout Beijing. It is higher-end clothes that are not available in Ackerman. The clothes are more like business casual / LL Bean rather than Bearwear /Rose Bowl wear. No knockoff's here. It was all authentic stuff.
I also met up with my friend Bruce Tenen. He is another hard-core, die-hard Bruin with two degrees from the school. He's worked every Olympics since the LA Games. We went to the baseball game together when USA lost to Cuba 10-2.
I also met up with Bryon Davis. He was an All-American swimmer UCLA back when we used to have a men's swim team. He was traveling to Beijing for work and not specifically for the Games. I found out he was traveling to Beijing because of Facebook! We are always connected by the Olympics. I had also met up with Byron in Sydney during the Olympics as his wife Annett Davis competed in beach volleyball.
Lastly, I had dinner with the Raney family. They were introduced to me by Lily Tsau, manager from the Alumni Association. I met them at Ritan Park as I wanted to show them one of Beijing's charming parks. I easily recognized them as they were showing their Bruin spirit and sporting some Bearwear. It was a nice evening of conversation about their adventures in Beijing as well as the upcoming UCLA football and basketball seasons.
There were 39 Bruins who participated in the Games as coaches and athletes winning a total of 15 medals. I am proud of the fact that my alma mater had a strong presence in these Games. On a personal level, I am more pleased to have the personal connections.
This will probably sound like I am delivering a canned message from the Alumni Association but indeed, being an alumnae (I'm never too sure if I use the feminine/masculine/plural form of alumna properly) of UCLA provides for a lifetime connection with old and new friends whether on home soil or abroad.
Now that the Games are over, I am looking forward to the start of the football season to satisfy my Sports Fix. Bring on the Volunteers!!
Men's Volleyball
The U.S. men's volleyball team captured Olympic gold for the first time in 20 years on Sunday, defeating defending champion Brazil, 3-1. In two weeks of competition, the Americans were undefeated. The 20-25, 25-22, 25-21, 25-23 final handed the U.S. men their third Olympic gold medal in the sport, matching the record set by the Russians. UCLA alumnus John Speraw is an assistant coach for the U.S. team.
Men's Water Polo
The U.S. men's water polo team claimed the silver medal on Sunday, losing to two-time defending gold medalist Hungary in the gold-medal match, 14-10. Hungary powered past the Americans, outscoring Team USA by a 5-2 margin in the second half after having led, 9-8, at halftime. The Americans entered the 2008 Olympic Games ranked ninth in the world.
Former UCLA goalkeeper and current Bruin assistant coach Brandon Brooks recorded four saves in the cage. Former UCLA standout Adam Wright notched one assist.
Hungary earned its third consecutive gold medal in men's water polo, the longest such streak since Great Britain pulled off that feat in 1920. Team USA won a medal in the sport for the first time since 1988, when current U.S. men's head coach Terry Schroeder led the Americans to second-place finish in Seoul.
Medal Count
Gold - 4 (Lauren Cheney, w. soccer; Dawn Harper, track & field, 100m hurdles; Monique Henderson, track & Field, 4x400m relay; Mark Hunter, rowing, lightweight double sculls)
Silver - 9 (Brandon Brooks, m. water polo; Andrea Duran, softball; Tairia Flowers, softball; Natalie Golda, w. water polo; Jaime Hipp, w. water polo; Stacey Nuveman, softball; Sheena Tosta, track & field, 400m hurdles; Natasha Watley, softball; Adam Wright, m. water polo)
Bronze - 2 (Kim Vandenberg, swimming, 4x200m free relay; Tanya Harding, softball)
Note: Jillian Ellis, Guy Baker, John Speraw and Bob Alejo coached teams to medals. Ellis was an assistant coach for the gold medal-winning U.S. women's soccer team. Baker was the head coach of the silver medal-winning U.S. women's water polo team. Speraw served as an assistant coach with the gold-medal winning U.S. men's volleyball team. Alejo was the coach of beach volleyball gold medalists Todd Rogers/Phil Dalhausser. In addition, Jeanette Bolden is the head coach of the U.S. women's track and field team. Coaches are not awarded medals at the Olympic Games.
Track & Field
Monique Henderson won the fourth gold medal for a UCLA Bruin this year, capturing gold in the 4x400m relay on Saturday. Henderson ran the third leg of the relay for the U.S., which ran a 3:18.55, the fastest time in the world since 1993.
The U.S. came from behind to win the race when anchor Sanya Richards caught and passed her Russian counterpart in the final 50 meters. Also running on the U.S. team were Allyson Felix, who is coached by UCLA volunteer assistant coach Bobby Kersee, and Mary Wineberg.
This is Henderson's second consecutive Olympic gold medal; she won gold with the 4x400m relay in Athens in 2004.
"It's an amazing feeling to win a gold medal," Henderson said. "It was really touch-and-go there for a while. Thankfully, Sanya ran a great anchor leg and brought us back to win the gold."
Medal Count
Gold - 4 (Lauren Cheney, w. soccer; Dawn Harper, track & field, 100m hurdles; Monique Henderson, track & Field, 4x400m relay; Mark Hunter, rowing, lightweight double sculls)
Silver - 7 (Andrea Duran, softball; Tairia Flowers, softball; Natalie Golda, w. water polo; Jaime Hipp, w. water polo; Stacey Nuveman, softball; Sheena Tosta, track & field, 400m hurdles; Natasha Watley, softball)
Bronze - 2 (Kim Vandenberg, swimming, 4x200m free relay; Tanya Harding, softball)
Note: Jillian Ellis, Guy Baker and Bob Alejo coached teams to medals. Ellis was an assistant coach for the gold medal-winning U.S. women's soccer team. Guy Baker was the head coach of the silver medal-winning U.S. women's water polo team. Alejo was the coach of beach volleyball gold medalists Todd Rogers/Phil Dalhausser. In addition, Jeanette Bolden is the head coach of the U.S. women's track and field team. Coaches are not awarded medals at the Olympic Games.
August 22, 2008 Kevin Roderick
While we have focused here on UCLA's presence in China, the
UC Olympians blog is following all 101 University of California participants in the Beijing Olympics. (They include
Todd Rogers of UC Santa Barbara, who with
Phil Dalhausser won the gold medal in beach volleyball.) Six campuses sent student athletes, coaches or alumni to the Games. They are competing for 25 countries. To follow their exploits, visit the very attractive blog. It has links to blogs by UC athletes, daily news roundups, photo galleries and NBC's Olympics video.
Olympic Roundup for Friday, Aug. 22, 2008
Men's Water Polo
The U.S. men's water polo team advanced to the gold-medal match with a 10-5 victory over Serbia on Friday. American goalkeeper Merrill Moses stopped 16 shots, including every shot in the final quarter, to help lead Team USA to the gold-medal match for the first time since 1988.
The Americans will face two-time defending gold medalist Hungary in the final Sunday. Hungary looks to become the first team to win three consecutive gold medals since Great Britain last completed that feat in 1920.
The match was tied, 4-4, late in the first half, but Ryan Bailey scored the first of his two goals, handing the U.S. the lead going into halftime. Bailey and Azevedo each scored on power plays in the third, staking the Americans to a 7-4 advantage. Azevedo's goal from two-meters increased the Americans' margin to 8-5 with 4:04 remaining before Rick Merlo scored a power-play goal one minute later.
Former UCLA attacker Adam Wright had an assist, and former Bruin goalkeeper and current assistant coach Brandon Brooks did not play.
Team USA faces Hungary on Sunday, Aug. 24, at 12:40 a.m. (PT). The gold-medal match can be viewed live online at
NBCOlympics.com and watched on NBC-4 between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Sunday (tape delayed).
Track & Field
Monique Henderson ran the second leg of the 4x400m relay for the U.S. during the preliminary rounds as the Americans ran a season-best and meet-best 3:22.45 to advance to the medal final. The relay order has not yet been determined for the final, but Henderson will receive a medal if the U.S. wins one. The final round is slated to go at 5:40 am PT on Saturday.
Men's Volleyball
The U.S. men's volleyball team advanced to the gold medal match after a 3-2 (25-22, 25-21, 25-27, 22-25, 15-13) win over Russia in the semifinals. UCLA alum John Speraw is an assistant coach for the undefeated U.S. team. The U.S., which is assured of its first medal since 1992, will face Brazil in the final on Sunday (9:00 pm PT Saturday).
Beach Volleyball
The U.S. team of Todd Rogers/Phil Dalhausser won the gold medal with a 23-21, 17-21, 15-4 win over Brazil's Marcio Araujo/Fabio Luiz. Rogers/Dalhausser are coached by former UCLA strength coach Bob Alejo.
News Links
Backup goalkeeper Brandon Brooks has been showing his
team spirit.
Coming Up
*The U.S. women's 4x400m relay team races in the finals on Saturday at 5:40 am PT. Monique Henderson raced in the preliminaries.
*The U.S. men's water polo team plays Hungary for the gold medal on Sunday, Aug. 24 at 12:40 am PT.
*The U.S. men's volleyball team plays Brazil for the gold medal on Sunday (9:00 pm PT Saturday).
Medal Count
Gold - 3 (Lauren Cheney, w. soccer; Dawn Harper, track & field, 100m hurdles; Mark Hunter, rowing, lightweight double sculls)
Silver - 7 (Andrea Duran, softball; Tairia Flowers, softball; Natalie Golda, w. water polo; Jaime Hipp, w. water polo; Stacey Nuveman, softball; Sheena Tosta, track & field, 400m hurdles; Natasha Watley, softball)
Bronze - 2 (Kim Vandenberg, swimming, 4x200m free relay; Tanya Harding, softball)
Note: Jillian Ellis, Guy Baker and Bob Alejo coached teams to medals. Ellis was an assistant coach for the gold medal-winning U.S. women's soccer team. Guy Baker was the head coach of the silver medal-winning U.S. women's water polo team. Alejo was the coach of beach volleyball gold medalists Todd Rogers/Phil Dalhausser. In addition, Jeanette Bolden is the head coach of the U.S. women's track and field team. Coaches are not awarded medals at the Olympic Games.
August 22, 2008 Jillian Ellis
An unbelievable final capped an unbelievable Olympics! We beat Brazil last night in overtime to win the gold in front of 55,000 at Beijing Workers' Stadium. It was an amazing game and had two heavy weights slugging it out through 120mins of soccer. It was the best team defensive effort I have seen and our goalkeeper Hope Solo was spectacular.
Lauren Cheney did a tremendous job in the biggest game of her life. She worked tirelessly up front and was rewarded by helping create the game-winner in OT. I am so proud of her and all of her teammates!
Only when the Stars and Stripes was going up the flag pole did I really believe we had pulled it off. Brazil looked stunned and I am just amazed at how resilient our backline was at repelling Brazil's attack. It was one of the most exciting games I have ever been a part of.
After the game we went to the USOC USA house to join up with family and friends. It was a late night and I am going to sleep the whole way back to LA.
I want to take a moment and thank my assistants, BJ and Shannon, for running pre-season in my absence. They have been incredibly supportive and I would not have been able to take this journey without them. I am excited to be rejoining my team and ready to focus on the Bruins!
Ellis was an assistant coach for the gold medal-winning U.S. women's soccer team.
Olympic Roundup for Thursday Aug. 21, 2008
Women's Soccer
UCLA women's soccer head coach Jillian Ellis and forward Lauren Cheney are coming back to Westwood as Olympic champions after the U.S. defeated Brazil in the gold medal match Thursday, 1-0.
Ellis, the team's assistant coach, and Cheney, a substitute forward, helped the U.S. win gold for the third time in four Olympics. Cheney entered the game in the 71st minute and played 49 minutes. The Bruin junior had a hand in the winning goal in the sixth minute of overtime, starting the play with a feed to Carli Lloyd 25 yards out. Lloyd one-timed it to Amy Rodriguez at the top of the box. Rodriguez returned the ball to Lloyd with a backheel pass, and Lloyd beat Brazilian goalkeeper Barbara with a low shot to the far side for the go-ahead goal.
Cheney also had a key clearance late in the game, heading away a dangerous corner kick in front of the goal to help preserve the shutout.
U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo and the U.S. defense were outstanding against two-time FIFA Player of the Year Marta and Golden Boot winner Cristiane, keeping the two scoreless.
Watch the game-winning goal
HERE and the medal ceremony
HERE.
Women's Water Polo
The U.S. women's water polo team earned the silver medal, dropping a 9-8 decision to the Netherlands in the gold-medal match on Thursday evening in Beijing. Former UCLA standout Natalie Golda scored one goal for Team USA, who rallied from an early 4-0 deficit to tie the contest, 5-5, with just over two minutes to play in the first half.
Golda scored with 5:41 remaining in the second quarter, reducing the Dutch lead to 5-3. Former UCLA goalkeeper Jaime Hipp did not play. The U.S. women's team is led by former UCLA head coach Guy Baker.
The Netherlands' Danielle de Bruijn scored her seventh goal of the game with 26 seconds left to break an 8-8 tie. Team USA missed two good shots in the final 10 seconds, including one off the post by Brenda Villa. The Americans captured their third medal in as many Olympic Games since the inception of women's water polo as an Olympic sport in 2000. Team USA captured the silver medal that year in Sydney and won the bronze medal in 2004 in Athens.
Softball
The U.S. softball team was stunned in the gold-medal game on Thursday, falling to Japan 3-1 at Fengtai Softball Field. The loss snapped the Americans' 22-game winning streak in the Olympics, as they were denied their fourth consecutive gold medal.
All four former Bruins on the team were in the starting lineup, with Natasha Watley (1-for-4 at the plate) at shortstop, Andrea Duran at third, Stacey Nuveman behind the plate and Tairia Mims Flowers at first. Following the game, Flowers walked to home plate carrying her cleats and placed them in the batters box as a tribute, acknowledging her retirement from international competition.
Track & Field
Amy Acuff cleared 6-2.25 (1.89m) in the high jump and tied for seventh in her flight but did not advance to the final.
Allyson Felix, another Bobby Kersee-coached athlete, finished second in the 200m to earn a silver medal (21.93).
Photo Gallery
Click
HERE for photos from Aug. 21 Olympic action.
News Links
Coming Up
Todd Rodgers/Phil Dalhausser play in the gold medal match in beach volleyball at 8 pm PT Thursday. They are coached by former UCLA strength coach Bob Alejo.
The U.S. men's volleyball team plays Russia in the semifinals on Friday (9:30 pm PT Thursday). UCLA alum John Speraw is an assistant coach on the team.
The U.S. men's water polo team plays Serbia in the semifinals on Friday (4:40 am PT). UCLA alumni Adam Wright and Brandon Brooks are members of the U.S. team.
UCLA alum Monique Henderson will run in qualifying rounds of the 4x400m relay on Friday (4:40 am PT).
Medal Count
Gold - 3 (Lauren Cheney, w. soccer; Dawn Harper, track & field, 100m hurdles; Mark Hunter, rowing, lightweight double sculls)
Silver - 7 (Andrea Duran, softball; Tairia Flowers, softball; Natalie Golda, w. water polo; Jaime Hipp, w. water polo; Stacey Nuveman, softball; Sheena Tosta, track & field, 400m hurdles; Natasha Watley, softball)
Bronze - 2 (Kim Vandenberg, swimming, 4x200m free relay; Tanya Harding, softball)
Note: Jillian Ellis and Guy Baker coached teams to medals. Ellis was an assistant coach for the gold medal-winning U.S. women's soccer team, and Guy Baker was the head coach of the silver medal-winning U.S. women's water polo team. Coaches are not awarded medals at the Olympic Games.
Track & Field
Sheena Johnson Tosta won silver in the 400m hurdles on Wednesday morning for the first Olympic medal of her career. Tosta posted a time of 53.70 to earn America's only medal in the event.
Tosta, who finished fourth in 2004, earned the highest finish ever by a UCLA woman on this event at the Olympics. She is also UCLA's first Olympic medalist in the 400m hurdles since Janeene Vickers won bronze in 1992.
Also competing on Wednesday morning was Yoo Kim, who no-heighted in the pole vault.
UCLA volunteer assistant coach Bob Kersee has had quite a meet, as three of his athletes have won medals, with one more to compete in the women's 200m final. Kersee coached Dawn Harper to the gold medal in the 100m hurdles (12.54), Kerron Clement to the silver medal in the men's 400m hurdles (47.98), and Shawn Crawford to the silver in the men's 200m (19.96). Allyson Felix is one of the medal favorites in the women's 200m (final on Thursday morning) and should see action in the relay events.
Softball
The U.S. softball team advanced to the gold medal match after a 4-1 extra-inning win over Japan in the semifinals Tuesday. Natasha Watley scored the go-ahead run in the ninth inning, and Crystl Bustos put the game away by crushing a three-run home run two batters later.
All four Bruins started in the game, with Watley scoring the winning run, Andrea Duran going 1-for-4, Stacey Nuveman going 1-for-1 and Tairia Flowers batting 1-for-3.
The U.S. and Japan will meet again on Thursday evening, this time for gold. The game will begin at 3:30 am PT and will be broadcast live on USA Network.
Japan advanced to the gold medal match by defeating Australia in the bronze medal match, 4-3, in 12 innings. Tanya Harding, who earned her fourth career Olympic medal (one silver, three bronze), took the loss after pitching the final 6.1 innings and giving up two runs.
Volleyball
The U.S. pair of Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers advanced to the Olympic beach volleyball final after defeating Jorge Terceiro and Renato Gomes of Georgia, 21-11, 21-13. Dalhausser/Rogers, who are coached by former UCLA strength coach Bob Alejo, will play the Brazilian team of Marcio Araujo/Fabio Magalhaes in the gold medal match on Friday (8 pm PT Thursday).
In indoor volleyball action, the USA remained undefeated in Olympic play, defeating Serbia in five (20-25, 25-23, 21-25, 25-18, 15-12) to advance to Friday's medal round. UCLA alumnus John Speraw is an assistant coach for the U.S. team.
Photo GalleryView photos from Sheena Tosta's silver medal performance and from the USA softball team's semifinal game
HERE.
News Links
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Amy Acuff is
feeling good about her fourth Olympic appearance.
Coming Up
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The U.S. women's water polo team plays the Netherlands in the gold medal match at 3:20 am PT.
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The U.S. softball team plays Japan in the gold medal game at 3:30 am PT.
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The U.S. women's soccer team plays Brazil in the gold medal match at 6 am PT.
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Amy Acuff competes in the high jump qualifying rounds on Thursday morning (6:50 pm PT Wednesday).
Medal Count
Gold - 2 (Dawn Harper, track & field, 100m hurdles; Mark Hunter, rowing, lightwt double sculls)
Silver - 1 (Sheena Tosta, track & field, 400m hurdles)
Bronze - 2 (Kim Vandenberg, swimming, 4x200m free relay; Tanya Harding, softball)
August 19, 2008 Jillian Ellis
We beat Japan last night in the semi-final 4-2 to advance to the gold medal game. It was an electric atmosphere in Beijing's Workers' Stadium with almost 50,000 fans on hand. After rallying from a goal down the crowd got behind us, and chants of "USA, USA" echoed through the stands. We played very well against a tough opponent and Lauren Cheney came in again late to provide a spark. I was so happy for the players. This team has endured a lot with key players getting injured along the way - it really has been a complete team effort to get to this point.
We got back to the village late and actually got to sleep in this morning. The players have the day to connect with their families and go and watch some of the other sporting events.
The men's semi-final (Brazil vs Argentina) in soccer is tonight so we are trying to get our work done early so we can go and watch. The staff is going to meet up with the scouts this afternoon and go through their report from the other semi-final. Brazil beat Germany 4-1 so we will meet on Thursday evening for the Olympic final.
Jillian Ellis is an assistant coach with the U.S. women's soccer team.
