USA – Page 5 – North Platte Post Archive

Klinsmann: US Defense Still ‘Work in Progress’

Posted on June 4, 2014

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The U.S. is getting a little defensive about its defense.

After allowing several decent scoring chances early against Turkey last Sunday, the Americans settled down in the 2-1 victory. But the rocky start caused more conversation and maybe more concern about what many believe is the team’s glaring weakness heading into the World Cup in Brazil.

Players brushed aside questions about the sometimes sluggish back line as they practiced in Jacksonville for Saturday’s sendoff series finale against Nigeria.

Defender Geoff Cameron says “I think we were great on the day. … We’re headed in the right direction. It’s one step in the right direction. That’s what we’ve kind of been doing the last three weeks: one step, one process; another step, another process.”

Former Husker Ends Bobsled Stint with Bronze Medal

Posted on February 24, 2014

SHELBY, Neb. (AP) — Former Nebraska football player and Olympic bobsledder Curt Tomasevicz has ended his bobsledding career with a bronze medal at the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

His four-man sled finished just three-hundredths of a second ahead of a Russian team to win third place in Sunday’s racing. Cheers erupted at several watch parties in his east-central Nebraska hometown of Shelby as the results were announced on television.

Winning Streak Over for Former Nebraska Star Burroughs After 69 Matches

Posted on February 15, 2014February 15, 2014

U.S. Olympic wrestling champion Jordan Burroughs was beaten in the quarterfinals of a match in Turkey on Saturday, snapping his 69-match international winning streak.

Burroughs fell to former Missouri star Nick Marable on criteria, 4-4, in 74-kilogram weight class of the Yasar Dogu International event in Istanbul.

Marable scored a pair of second-period takedowns and later withstood a pushout and takedown for the upset win.

It was the first senior-level international defeat for Burroughs, a former Nebraska standout who the gold medal at the London Games in 2012.

Burroughs also won world titles in 2011 and 2013. But this was the first meet for Burroughs since the world championships last season.

SOCHI SCENE: The First Gold

Posted on February 8, 2014

SOCHI, Russia (AP) — The first gold medal awarded at the 2014 Sochi Games ended up with three snowboarders on the top podium, hugging it out after grinding and spinning their way down the slopestyle course.

Sage Kotsenburg’s win showcased a different competitive vibe brought by one of the newest Olympic events, with the American celebrating his win with Norwegian and Canadian opponents as if they were teammates.

Kotsenburg’s gold came after a dominant first run in the finals Saturday, scoring a 93.50 in a first run that saw 12 competitors put up an average 54.22 points. Norway’s Staale Sandbech scored 91.75 on his second run for silver, while Canada’s Mark Morris earned bronze for his second run of 88.75.

Kotsenburg, of Park City, Utah, was mobbed by Sandbech and Morris at the base of the course after the win was clinched, delaying his efforts to drape himself in a U.S. flag. They then embraced him on the top podium after the medals were officially awarded.

The silver and bronze winners clearly weren’t sweating the judges’ decisions, unlike spectators complaining about the judging on social networks.

Obama to Team USA: ‘We Couldn’t be Prouder of You’

Posted on February 7, 2014

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama says America “couldn’t be prouder of” its athletes who are competing in the Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.

The White House released a brief video of Obama Friday. The president tells the skiers, figure skaters, snowboarders, bobsledders and other members of Team USA that they are an inspiration to the nation.

Obama tells team members America will be watching and rooting for them.

First lady Michelle Obama expressed her pride in the team on Twitter.

The U.S. has sent some 230 athletes to the Sochi Olympics, the largest delegation ever for any country at the Winter Games.

Opening ceremonies were Friday. The Games run through Feb. 23.

USA Basketball Picks National Team Roster Pool

Posted on January 23, 2014

LeBron James and 10 others from the 2012 U.S. Olympic basketball team are remaining in the national team pool, joined by a group of newcomers hoping for their first chance at gold.

USA Basketball selected 28 players Thursday to choose from for the World Cup of Basketball this summer in Spain and the 2016 Rio Olympics. Carmelo Anthony was also chosen, giving him and James a chance to play in a fourth Olympics and win a third gold medal.

Also selected from the 2012 gold medalists were: Kevin Durant, Chris Paul, Kevin Love, James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Deron Williams, Anthony Davis, Tyson Chandler, Andre Iguodala.

Only Kobe Bryant, who has said he is finished with international competition, wasn’t selected.

US Soccer Tabs Altidore, Wambach Athletes of Year

Posted on November 27, 2013

CHICAGO (AP) — Jozy Altidore and Abby Wambach were honored as the men’s and women’s athletes of the year by U.S. soccer.

The men’s Athlete of the Year honor is the first for Altidore. He becomes the 22nd player to earn the award since its inception in 1984.

Altidore set a U.S. men’s national team record by scoring a goal in five consecutive matches from June 2 to Aug. 14. His eight goals in 2013 were a career best and tied for a team high.

Wambach earns her sixth women’s Athlete of the Year award. Wambach led the U.S. in scoring this year with 11 goals and tied for the team lead in assists with six.

Wambach scored four times in the opening half of a match on June 20 against Korea to increase her goal total to 160. She broke Mia Hamm’s record of 158.

Olympic Team USA Uniforms Get Made in USA Label

Posted on October 29, 2013

NEW YORK (AP) — Team USA will now wear the Made in the USA label.

Every article of clothing made by Ralph Lauren for the U.S. Olympic athletes in Sochi has been made by domestic craftsman and manufacturers.

Ralph Lauren Corp. used more than 40 vendors, from ranchers in the rural West to yarn spinners in Pennsylvania to sewers in New York’s Garment District for the closing ceremony outfits unveiled Tuesday. The ensemble includes a navy peacoat with a red stripe, a classic ski sweater with a reindeer motif and a hand-sewn American flag, and a tasseled chunky-knit hat.

During the 2012 games in London, it was a flashpoint in the media and among Washington politicians that much of the U.S. apparel was made overseas, especially China.

US Out for More Gold at World Championships

Posted on August 12, 2013

MOSCOW (AP) — Already atop the medal standings after the opening weekend of the world championships, the United States will be looking to add to its haul Monday in the women’s 100 meters and a possible sweep of the men’s 110 hurdles.

Usain Bolt of Jamaica already won the premier event, the men’s 100, on Sunday, but defending champion Carmelita Jeter and top qualifier English Gardner women will be looking to get even on Monday in the U.S.-Jamaica sprint rivalry.

In the 110 hurdles, it looks like the United States could win all three medals with Olympic champion Aries Merritt, defending champion Jason Richardson and the season’s top performer, David Oliver, all in the final.

The other finals on Day 3 are the men’s pole vault and hammer throw, and the women’s shot put and 400.