WILLIAMSBURG — The first week of Olympic competition has wrapped up in Paris. As week two gets underway, here’s where Virginia’s athletes stand.
Will Coleman, a member of the U.S. Equestrian team, had a difficult week as his horse, Off the Record, was switched out to a reserve horse, Diabolo. Diabolo then began exhibiting discomfort while in the stable and while he trotted out later that evening, U.S. Equestrian made the decision to sub in a reserve athlete.
Coleman posted on Facebook saying, “They say timing is everything. With how our last two days have gone here in Paris, that simply could not be more true. It has been a difficult 48 hours for my team and all of Off The Record’s and Diabolo’s connections. I don’t have anything to say other than I wish all of Team USA the very best of luck this weekend. I will be here supporting them all the way through in what will certainly be an incredible competition at the most amazing venue I have ever seen. Go get ‘em guys.”
Women’s field hockey star Leah Crouse has been representing Team USA during its pool play. The U.S. team was an underdog going into the competition and ultimately lost its first game to Argentina. USA turned it around during the second match, tying Spain. In the match against Australia, the U.S. was shut out. For a chance to qualify for the medal rounds, the U.S. needed to beat Great Britain on Aug. 1, but ultimately lost 5-2. The team played its final match against South Africa and won 1-0 to close out their Olympic journey.
In the pool, Torri Huske won a gold for her performance in the 100m butterfly final, a second gold in the mixed 4x100m medley relay, a silver in the 100m freestyle, and a silver in the 4x100m freestyle relay. Richmond’s Charlie Swanson made it to the semifinals in the 100m breaststroke, and Thomas Heilman made it to the 200m butterfly semifinal. Both Swanson and Heilman did not advance to the finals. Swanson and Heilman also swam in the 4x100m relay heats on Aug. 3, where they placed first in their heat, advancing to the semifinals on Aug. 8.
Christian Tabash and the men’s eight rowing team saw success early in Paris, finishing their qualifying meet in first place. During the finals on Aug. 3, Tabash and the team earned a bronze medal.
Claire Collins, a member of the women’s eight rowing team, which finished second in its qualifying heat, coming in six minutes behind Romania. Collins and the team had a second chance to make the finals during the repechage round on Aug. 1, and placed first to qualify for the finals. During finals, the women’s team placed fifth overall.
Virginia Beach BMX rider Justin Dowell qualified in fourth place in the BMX Freestyle final. Dowell competed in the final on July 31 and placed seventh with a score of 88.35.
Fencer Hadley Husisian qualified to compete in the individual epee round of 16, but ultimately fell to Hong Kong’s Vivian Kong. Husisian also contributed to the seventh-place finish in the epee team competition. Her competition is done.
Greg Duncan, a member of USA Diving, faced tough competition in the synchronized diving 3m springboard final. On Aug. 3, Duncan and his teammate Tyler Downs placed eighth.
On the pitch, Emily Fox of the U.S. Women’s soccer team has helped notch pool play wins against Germany, Zambia, and Australia. In the quarterfinals, the women’s team played Japan and won 1-0. The women will face Germany on Aug. 6 for a chance to advance to the gold medal match.
Griffin Yow and Kevin Paredes on the U.S. Men’s soccer team have earned pool play wins against New Zealand and Guinea, pitting them against Morocco in the quarterfinals where they ultimately lost and are out of the tournament.
Track and Field competition got underway with preliminary rounds on Aug. 3 for Noah Lyles in the 100m race. He qualified in second place and will compete in the semifinals on Aug. 4.
Action on the track will continue on Aug. 4 with Grant Holloway making his Paris Olympic debut as the qualifying heats for the 110m hurdles get underway. Lyles will also see competition during the 200m race, which starts on Aug. 5. Semifinals for the 110m hurdles and 200m race are scheduled for Aug. 7 and finals are scheduled for Aug. 8.
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