Mark Maloney on Kentucky sports

Lexington native Tyson Gay is among the winners as the U.S. Olympic Committee has announced its Athletes of the Month for May.

Gay, out of Lafayette High School and the University of Arkansas, took men’s honors. The American record-holder at 100 meters, Gay posted the world’s third-fastest 200 meters ever and blew away a world-class field in the Reebok Grand Prix, May 30 at New York.

TYSON GAY, from his photos on Facebook.

In his first 200 in the United States since pulling a hamstring last July at the U.S. Olympic Trials, Gay crossed the finish line in 19.58 seconds. The only faster races recorded are 1996 Olympic gold-medalist Michael Johnson’s world-record 19.32, and 2008 Olympic gold-medalist Usain Bolt’s world-record 19.30.

Earlier in May, Gay lowered his personal best for 400 meters to 45.57 at the Texas Invitational.

Gay will be out to defend his titles in the 100, 200 and as part of the Team USA 4-by-100-meter relay in this summer’s World Outdoor Championships at Berlin.

Other USOC awards for May went to diver Allison Brennan and the National Sled Hockey Team.

Brennan won on the 3-meter springboard in the USA Diving Grand Prix at Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Her score of 358.55 points was 18 better than Russia’s Anastasia Pozdniakova, last year’s Olympic silver-medalist. Brennan, an assistant coach at South Carolina, also beat four-time Olympic medalist Wu Minxia of China. Brennan’s final dive, a reverse 1 1/2 somersault with 2 1/2 twists, earned the highest score of the finals, 76.85. 

The Paralympics Sled Hockey Team won the World Championships at Ostrava, Czech Republic. Team captain Andy Yohe scored with 11 seconds left in the championship game to earn a 1-0 victory over Norway. Steve Cash made 11 saves for the Americans.

Others on the team: Mike Blabac, Taylor Chace, Jimmy Connelly, Brad Emmerson, Mike Hallman, Lonnie Hannah, Tim Jones, Taylor Lipsett, Chris Mans, Adam Page, Josh Pauls, Greg Shaw and Kip St. Germaine.

The top three in the USOC monthly award results:

Women — 1. Allison Brennan (diving); 2. Alaina Williams (gymnastics); 3. Lauren Wenger (water polo).
Williams won one international and two national trampoline competitions. Wenger scored three goals in a 10-5 Team USA win over Canada in the World League Super Finals for the Americas.

Men — 1. Tyson Gay (track and field); 2. Steve Cash (sled hockey); 3. Devin Britton (tennis).
Britton, an unseeded freshman, won the NCAA singles title and led Ole Miss to the quarterfinals.

Team — 1. U.S. National Sled Hockey Team; 2. Troy Dumais and Kristian Ipsen (diving); 3. U.S. Women’s Gymnastics Team.
Dumais and Ipsen won the synchronized 3-meter springboard event at the USA Diving Grand Prix, and were selected to dive for the U.S. at this summer’s World Championships in Italy. The gymnatics team won a pair of “friendlies” against Germany and France. Bridget Sloan took all-around honors in both meets.

More than a dozen countries will be represented this weekend at USA Wrestling’s Dave Schultz Memorial International Open. The competition, Friday through Sunday, will take place at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.

With a nod to USA Wrestling media contact Gary Abbott for providing background information …

Greco-Roman standouts include Americans Lindsey Durlacher, Sam Hazewinkel and Harry Lester, along with Bulgaria’s Aleksander Kostadinov. Durlacher (55 kg) is a 2006 World Championships bronze medalist; Hazewinkel (55 kg) is the 2008 University Worlds champ; Lester (74 kg) is the 2006 and ‘07 World bronze medalist, and Kostadinov (55 kg) is the 2007 and ‘08 Junior World champion.

James Johnson

Incidentally, University of Kentucky graduate James Johnson, a three-time national champion, is coaching the Greco-Roman talent for the Sunkist Kids.

Top entrants in men’s freestyle include India’s Sushil Kumar and Russians Darsam Dzaparov, Magomed Zubairov and Evgeni Kolomiets. Kumar (66 kg) is the reigning Olympic bronze medalist; Dzaparov (66 kg) is the 2006 Junior World champion; Zubairov (74 kg) is the 2008 Junior World champion; and Kolomiets (96 kg) is the 2008 World University champion. 

Women’s freestylers include Carol Huynh, Clarissa Chun, Iwona Matkowska-Sadowska, Patricia Miranda, Katherine Fulp-Allen, Aka Tomar, Sylwia Bilenska, Tonya Verbeek, Tatyana Lazareva, Adeline Gray, Monika Ewa Michalik and Agnieszka Wieszczek.

At 48 kg, Canada’s Huynh is the 2008 Olympic gold medalist; Team USA’s Chun is the 2008 World champion; and Poland’s Matkowska-Sadowska is the 2006 World bronze-medalist. 

At 51 kg, Miranda is the 2004 Olympic silver medalist and four-time winner of the Schultz Memorial, and fellow American Fulp-Allen is the 2008 Junior World champion.

At 55 kg, India’s Tomar is the 2006 World bronze medalist; Poland’s Bilenska is the 2004 World University champion; Canada’s Verbeek is the 2004 and ‘08 Olympic bronze medalist; and Ukraine’s Lazareva is the 2004 World University champion and ‘08 World silver medalist. 

Gray, of the U.S., is the 2008 Junior World champ at 67 kg, while Poland’s Michalik is the 2006 and ‘07 World bronze medalist.

Wieszczek, also a Pole, is the 2008 Olympic bronze medalist.

* Wrestling is on tap in Lexington as well. The Lexington City Championships will take place Saturday at Tates Creek High School. Finals begin at 1:30 p.m.

Arkansas visits UK gymnasts; Hall of Fame class named

Switching from wrestling mat to floor exercise mat, Kentucky’s women will entertain third-ranked Arkansas in a Southeastern Conference meet, Friday at 7 p.m. This will be the annual “Pink Meet” at Memorial Coliseum, in support of UK HealthCare’s Markey Cancer Center.

The Cats have dropped three straight SEC meets after opening with a non-conference victory over Utah State. Arkansas is 4-1 overall, 2-0 in the SEC.

Admission is $1 for fans wearing pink, full price for others. A portion of proceeds will benefit breast cancer research, education and treatment at the Markey Cancer Center. The first 300 fans will receive a pink mug.

Friday also is designated as Girl Scouts Night, with free admission for those wearing Girl Scouts uniforms or T-shirts.

Heather Hite

After the meet, UK’s sophomore gymnasts will sign autographs.

Last week, at No. 8 Florida, Heather Hite and Hillary Ferguson led UK on the balance beam, each scoring 9.750 to tie for second place.

Hillary Ferguson

Natalie Rubinstein, ranked 18th on the uneven bars, led the Cats in that event as she has all season, scoring 9.825.

Ferguson, No. 21 nationally in floor exercise, scored 9.825 at Florida to place third overall. She also took third in the all-around at 39.075.

Natalie Rubinstein

Arkansas, coming off a win over No. 9 Alabama, is led by Casey Jo Magee. Ranked third nationally, she won her fifth all-around of the season by scoring 39.450. Ranked No. 2 on the floor, she scored 9.925 in that event.

* USA Gymnastics this week announced its 2009 class of inductees for the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame.

The HOFers include: 2004 Olympic all-around gold medalist Carly Patterson; 2004 rhythmic Olympian Mary Sanders; 2000 Olympian Steve McCain; and 1996 Olympian John Macready.

Also elected: two-time World Acrobatic champions Shenea Booth and Arthur Davis; trampoline and tumbling coach/judge Pat Wilson Henderson; trampolinist James Yongue; Temple University coach Fred Turoff, and the 1999 World Championships gold-medal double mini-trampoline team of Karl Heger, Mark Griffith, Byron Smith and Ryan Weston.

The Hall of Fame luncheon and induction ceremony is set for Friday, Aug. 14, as part of the USA Gymnastics National Congress and Trade Show at Dallas, which is held in conjunction with the Visa Championships. More information is available at www.usa-gymnastics.org.

U.S. Men's National Volleyball Team (Photo by FIVB)

When the United States Olympic Committee named its SportsMan, SportWoman, Paralympian and Team of the Year on Thursday, some of the drama was missing.

Thanks, Michael Phelps, for making SportsMan of the Year a foregone conclusion. Just as he was in Beijing’s Water Cube, Phelps was unbeatable.

Thursday’s other winners weren’t shabby, either, chosen for excellence in and away from sports.

Swimmer Natalie Coughlin and gymnast Nastia Liukin are co-winners of SportsWoman of the Year.

Swimmer Erin Popovich is Paralympian of the Year.

And the U.S. Men’s National Volleyball squad is Team of the Year.

U.S. Swimming's tribute to its award winners.

Phelps set an Olympic record by going 8-for-8 at Beijing, setting seven world records, as well as American and Olympic records in all eight events. The eight golds brought his career total to 16 Olympic medals (14 gold), a record for a male Olympian. He also was USOC SportsMan of the Year in 2004.

Earlier, Phelps set two world, American and U.S. Open records at the U.S. Olympic Trials.  

Nastia Liukin (U.S. Gymnastics)

Liukin won five medals at Beijing, where she became the third American to win Olympic gold in the women’s all-around. Five medals at one Olympics ties the U.S. gymnastics record set by Mary Lou Retton at the 1984 Los Angeles Games and match by Shannon Miller in 1992 at Barcelona.

Besides a gold, Liukin took silvers on balance beam, uneven bars and in team competition, with a bronze in floor exercise.

Coughlin became the first American woman in any sport to win six medals at one Olympiad. Along the way, she set five American records and one Olympic record, increasing her career total to 11 Olympic medals.

At Beijing, Coughlin won the 100-meter backstroke, took second as part of the 400 freestyle relay and 400 medley relay, and third in the 200 individual medley, 100 freestyle and on the 800 freestyle relay.

Popovich, who also won USOC Paralympian of the Year in 2004, earned four gold medals and two silvers at Beijing. She won the 100-meter freestyle (S7), 400 free (S7), 100 breaststroke (SB7) and 200 individual medley (SM7), and placed second in the (S7) 50 butterfly and 50 free. Her Paralympics medal career total is 14 golds and five silvers.

The men’s volleyball team (Lloy Ball, Gabe Gardner, Kevin Hansen, Tom Hoff, Rich Lambourne, David Lee, Ryan Miller, Reid Priddy, Sean Rooney, Riley Salmon, Clay Stanley and Scott Touzinsky) had an undefeated run en route to winning gold at Beijing, although ranked No. 3 heading into the Games. Team USA whipped No. 1 Brazil, No. 2 Russia, No. 4 Bulgaria and No. 5 Serbia. The gold served as an emotional tribute to Todd Bachman, the father-in-law of Coach Hugh McCutcheon, who was murdered while sight-seeing in Beijing shortly after the Games opened.

Earlier, Team USA qualified for Beijing by winning the NORCECA Continental Qualifier last January in Puerto Rico.

Olympic gold-medalists Peter Vidmar and Mary Lou Retton have been elected to the USA Gymnastics Board of Directors.

Vidmar was elected chairman of the board Monday at Indianapolis, during the first meeting of the restructured group.

In November 2007 the board adopted a new structure that includes a 20-person board — five athletes (one per discipline); four public-sector members; three from the newly created Advisory Council; two representatives from both the men’s and women’s programs; one each from rhythmic gymnastics, acrobatic gymnastics and trampoline/tumbling, and the chairman of the board.

Retton, who resides in Houston, was among three new public-sector members approved Monday, along with Bitsy Kelley of Portland, Ore., and Jim Morris of Indianapolis. Frank Marshall of Santa Monica, Calif., was reaffirmed as the fourth public-sector representative.

Vidmar won the pommel horse gold medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, as well as a silver in the all-around. Most notably, he helped the U.S. men’s team to its only Olympic gold-medal finish ever. A two-time U.S. all-around champion and five-time NCAA title-winner for UCLA, Vidmar has served on the USA Gymnastics board from 1985 through 1992 and 1996-2000.

Retton also hit it big at the Los Angeles Olympics, winning the women’s all-around — the first Olympic gold won by an American in women’s gymnastics. She led the gymnastics medal count at Los Angeles with five, including team and vault silver medals, and bronzes on bars and floor exercise.

BEIJING — American gymnasts Nastia Liukin and Shawn Johnson made a 1-2 sweep of the gold and silver medals Friday in the women’s all-around finals at National Indoor Stadium.

Liukin, from Parker, Texas, and Johnson, from West Des Moines, Iowa, wrapped up the medals by each scoring 15.525 to tie for the best score in floor exercise.

Liukin’s total score was 63.325, with Johnson at 62.725. Yang Yilin, who earlier won a team gold medal with China, took the bronze with 62.650.

Liukin also had the best score on balance beam, 16.125. Johnson was tops in the vault at 15.875.

BEIJING — The Team USA men’s gymnastics squad earned Olympic bronze Tuesday at National Indoor Stadium.

China won the gold with 275.850 points, followed by Japan with 278.875. Team USA scored 275.850 to medal for a second straight Olympics, having taken silver at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

The U.S. lost two of its top performers, twins Paul and Morgan Hamm, to injuries shortly before the Games opened.

Alexander “Sasha” Artemev, Raj Bhavsar, Joseph Hagerty, Jonathan Horton, Justin Spring and Kevin Tan comprised the U.S. performers.

Horton earned a spot in Thursday’s all-around finals. He led the U.S. on rings (15.625), vault (16.200), high bar (15.700) and floor exercise (15.575), and was second (15.625) to Spring (15.850) on parallel bars. Artemev had the team’s best score on pommel horse (15,350).

Aha! I’m back.

Blogging from Beijing has not been a simple task. Finally, though, my co-workers in Lexington have figured a way to circumvent what apparently is government-blocked access to this site. Thanks, Deedra and staff!

With opening ceremonies about 5 1/2 hours away, excitement is high.

Had a chance to talk with Tayshaun Prince today (Friday), along with several hundred other reporters and many autograph seekers (mostly volunteer workers).

Just before the men’s basketball team arrived for the press conference, players and staff met with Lopez Lomong, the Sudanese refugee who will carry the American flag. After hearing a first-person account of Lomong’s story, Prince said his reaction was “pretty much self-explanatory. … It’s got to be a tremendous thrill for him. But it is for us as well because there’s a lot of people who go through tough challenges and obstacles in life, and he probably told us (only) half those stories. I’m pretty sure there were a lot of other things that went on as well.”

Meanwhile, Alexander “Sasha” Artemev has been named to replace Morgan Hamm on the U.S. men’s gymnastics squad. Hamm withdrew Thursday due to an ankle injury. His twin brother, Paul, withdrew earlier due to a hand injury.

Dennis McIntyre, director for men’s programs at USA Gymnastics, said in a press release: “Both Alex and David Durante (the USA’s alternates) have done an incredible job of maintaining their readiness and being prepared to step in on a moment’s notice if called upon. The role of the alternate athlete is very difficult and both of these athletes have demonstrated their commitment to our Olympic team by staying well prepared. In this situation, we believe Alex is best suited to help the U.S. men’s team pursue a team medal.  We appreciate the dedication of both men and the fact they have maintained their competitive readiness.”

“It’s an honor to be on this team, but it’s a shame that it had to happen this way with Morgan getting hurt,” Artemev said. “He’s a tremendous loss to this team. I’m ready to step in because that was my job as an alternate. It’s a tough position to be in, but Dave and I worked really hard. We pushed each other because we have to stay in shape. I’ll definitely be ready on time. It’s just an honor to be on this team and to be chosen.”

 Artemev won the pommel horse in the weighted combined rankings from the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Gymnastics and Visa Championships.  He also finished fifth in the all-around.   

Paul Hamm, the 2004 gold-medalist in the men’s gymnastics all-around, withdrew Monday from the Beijing Summer Olympic Games.

The press release from USA Gymnastics follows:

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., July 28, 2008 – Paul Hamm of Waukesha, Wis., today officially notified USA Gymnastics and the U.S. Olympic Committee that he was resigning from the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team for men’s gymnastics.

“I have put my heart and soul into my comeback and done everything I could to get ready in time to compete in Beijing,” said Hamm, who won the all-around title at the 2004 Olympic Games and is recovering from a broken hand.  “After returning home from the preparation camp, I had a few physical setbacks, and it became clear to me that my physical preparations would not be sufficient to properly represent the United States and contribute to the team’s efforts to win a medal. I recently strained my rotator cuff and have been unable to perform all of my skills.  I am very grateful to have been given the opportunity to make a comeback. At this point in time, the success of the team and fairness to the team, and the alternates, is most important. While I am very disappointed, I feel I can wait no longer to make this decision.”

Hamm began his return to competitive gymnastics in August 2007 after a nearly three-year layoff after the 2004 Games to complete his education.  In 2008, he won the all-around title at the Winter Cup Challenge, Tyson American Cup and Pacific Rim Championships presented by Gillette Venus.  Hamm broke his fourth metacarpal on May 22 during the Visa Championships and successfully petitioned to the Olympic Team in June. He demonstrated his competitive readiness on July 19 to the men’s selection committee, and the men’s preparation camp concluded on July 22. 

“We admire Paul for making this difficult decision,” said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics.  “Paul’s comeback this year has been phenomenal, made even more impressive following the injury to his hand.  He has raised the level of determination among the entire team to put forth a medal winning effort in China.  We respect his decision at this time, which is being made to serve the best interests of all of the athletes involved.

Based in Indianapolis, USA Gymnastics is the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States.  Its mission is to encourage participation and the pursuit of excellence in the sport.  Its disciplines include men’s and women’s artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling, and acrobatic gymnastics.  For more information, log on to www.usa-gymnastics.org.

From USA Gymnastics, which earlier Saturday announced the men’s Olympic roster (see previous post), comes the women’s squad.

Shawn Johnson and Nastia Liukin were named to the team after last month’s U.S. Olympic Trials at Philadelphia.

Following the team’s selection camp at Huntsville, Texas, Johnson and Liukin have been joined by Chellsie Memmel, Samantha Peszek, Alicia Sacramone and Bridget Sloan.

Three replacement athletes (alternates) are Jana Bieger, Ivana Hong and Corrie Lothrop.

Liang Chow of Chow’s Gymnastics was named head coach.

Tyson Chandler will miss training camp

Tyson Chandler, 7-foot-1 center for the New Orleans Hornets, will miss the men’s basketball Olympic training camp set to run Monday through Friday at Las Vegas due to an inflamed big toe.

The Las Vegas camp will be capped by an exhibition against the Canadian National Team, Friday at the Thomas & Mack Center.

It’s official: Paul Hamm has a berth in the Beijing Olympics.

Hamm broke the fourth metacarpal on his right hand a month ago at the Visa Championships but successfully petitioned to have his name added to the Team USA gymnastics roster. The only hurdle to clear from there was demonstrating his readiness at the team’s Olympic preparation camp.

“Paul showed the men’s selection committee that he will contribute to the team’s efforts in Beijing,” Steve Penney, president of USA Gymnastics, said Satuday in a press release. “He has worked hard to maintain his level of conditioning and we are pleased with his progress.”

Added Dennis McIntyre, senior director of men’s programs for USA Gymnastics: “Paul has been able to participate fully at our nine-day preparation camp. In addition, the men’s selection committee observed Paul perform routines on events critical to team success during the intrasquad meet. Based on his training and routines, Paul has demonstrated his competitive readiness to our satisfaction. We believe Paul’s contributions to the team will help us sin our quest for a spot on the medals podium.”

Beijing will mark Hamm’s third Olympic Games. In 2004, he became the first American male to win the Olympic all-around gold medal, at Athens. He also won a silver medal on the high bar and helped the United States to a silver-medal finish in the team compeition.

Other members of the U.S. team that will compete in Beijing are Hamm’s brother, Morgan; Joseph Hagerty; Jonathan Horton; Justin Spring, and Kevin Tan. Alternates are Sasha Artemev, Raj Bhavsar and David Durante.