SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — Cael Sanderson's early taste of international wrestling hasn't been as rewarding as his college career.
Sanderson, a four-time All-American from Heber City who went through his entire stay at Iowa State without losing, was beaten 3-2 in overtime Friday by Cuba's Yoel Romero. It was the second time this year that Romero, the world silver medalist and 1999 world champion, beat Sanderson. Sanderson will wrestle for a bronze medal.
Five Americans earned spots in the finals: Stephen Abas (Fresno, Calif.) at 121 pounds; Jamill Kelly (Stillwater, Okla.) at 145 1/2; Joe Williams (Coralville, Iowa) at 163; Daniel Cormier (Stillwater, Okla.) at 211 1/2; and Kerry McCoy (Bethlehem, Pa.) at 264 1/2.
The U.S. women did what the men couldn't on the basketball court at the Pan American Games. By beating Brazil 75-69 in overtime, the Americans guaranteed themselves a basketball medal. They will play Cuba, which beat Canada 58-49.
The United States collected two more medals by its superb shooting team. William Johnson II (Woodville, Miss.), won gold and an Olympic berth for the country in the 10-meter running target event, leading throughout. Armando Ayala (Columbus, Ga.) won the bronze.
Sandra Uptagrafft (Longmont, Colo.) beat Cuban Margarita Tarradell in a shootoff for the gold medal and Olympic spot in the 25-meter pistol. It was her first significant international victory.
"It means so much to me and my team," she said. "There was a lot of pressure on me, but I pulled through and accomplished my goal."
High school sensation Allyson Felix of Los Angeles got a bronze medal in the women's 200 dash behind Roxana Diaz of Cuba and Cydonie Mothersille of Cayman Islands.
German Sanchez of Mexico claimed gold in the 50-kilometer walk. Phillip Dunn (Chula Vista, Calif.) was fifth.
Canada's dominance in diving was further emphasized when it won the women's 3-meter and the men's synchronized platform events. Canada has won every diving event thus far.
Alexandre Despatie won his third gold by teaming with Philippe Comtois in the platform event. Mexico was second and the U.S. duo of Mark Ruiz and Kyle Prandi got the bronze. Despatie won the 3-meter synchro with Comtois and the springboard individual competition.
Carly Gullickson, at 16 the youngest American ever to compete in Pan Ams tennis, lost in the quarterfinals to Milagros Sequera of Venezuela, 6-3, 6-4.