Park City native Haley Batten was the top American to finish in women’s cross-country mountain bike, winding up ninth overall with a time of 1:20:13.
“I really have no words to explain the Olympics,” Batten told USA Cycling after the race. “I think coming in, you know it’s your dream, but I think living out something that you only really dream of and it’s in your mind since I was a young kid and to be here and to live every day of that was just incredible. I have no words to explain it. It’s amazing,” she said.
Switzerland swept the podium at the event, with Jolanda Neff taking gold, Sina Frei winning silver and Linda Indergand earning bronze.
The event featured one start loop and five laps, totaling 12.8 miles, around the Izu course, which was muddy due to rain.
“Some of the climbs had some really steep corners that, after this rain, were really slick. I think it was hard to know if I should get off and run, or if I should try and ride it,” Batten said. “Some of the little rocks just threw you off. They’re so steep, so when you’re trying to just give your all and dig in and then all of a sudden you just slide out and you’re just trying to stay on your bike.”
Former BYU volleyball player Taylor Sander, USA bounce back with win against Tunisia
After losing to the Russia Olympic Committee, former Cougar Taylor Sander and the USA got back in the win column with a 3-1 (25-14, 23-25, 25-14, 25-23) victory against Tunisia in men’s volleyball pool play.
Torey DeFalco led the United States in points, with 24, while Sander had 17 points — 14 of which came on the attack, one on a block and two on serves.
The USA is now in second in Pool B with a record of 2-1, just shy of the Russian Olympic Committee, which is 2-0. The top four teams in each six-team pool will advance to the quarterfinals.
Sander and the USA play Brazil next on July 29.
Jazzman Miye Oni scores 15 points in Nigeria’s loss
Utah Jazz guard Miye Oni had a good outing, scoring 15 points in Nigeria’s 99-92 loss to Germany.
Oni was 5-for-7 from the field and was a scorching 5-for-6 from 3-point range.
The game was tied at 74-74 heading into the fourth quarter. Germany outscored Nigeria 25-18 in the final period to win.
Oni and Nigeria play next against Italy on July 30.
Utahn Jake Gibb, replacement partner Tri Bourne win second straight match
Utah native and University of Utah graduate Jake Gibb, playing with replacement partner Tri Bourne, won in straight sets for the second consecutive match, beating Adrian Heidrich and Mirco Gerson of Switzerland 2-0 (21-19, 23-21).
Gibb scored eight attacking points, three block points and two serve points.
Gibb and Bourne, now 2-0 and at the top of the Pool C standings, take on Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan of Qatar on July 30.
Former Utah softball player Anissa Urtez, Mexico just miss out on bronze
Former Ute Anissa Urtez and Mexico came up just short in its quest for a bronze medal, losing to Canada 3-2 in the bronze medal game.
Urtez was 1-for-4 with an assist in the contest. She was up in the top of the seventh inning, but struck out as Mexico went down 1-2-3 in the final inning.
Canada led 2-0 after the second inning, but Mexico tied the game with a Brittany Cervantes RBI single in the third inning and a Suzannah Brookshire RBI single in the top of the fifth. In the bottom of the fifth inning, Kelsey Harshman hit a sacrifice fly to bring in Janet Leung for what would be the winning run.
BYU swimmer Josue Dominguez Ramos places third in heat, 34th overall in 200-meter breaststroke semifinal
BYU swimmer Josue Dominguez Ramos placed third in his 200 breaststroke qualifying heat with a time of 2:17.34 but didn’t qualify for the semifinals as he finished 34th overall in the qualifying round. Swimmers must place in the top 16 to move onto the semifinals.
Dominguez Ramos said on Instagram that he has been in quarantine due to a “close contact” that had COVID-19 and hasn’t been able to train in Tokyo as often as he wants.
Former Utah women’s basketball player Leilani Mitchell starts in Australia’s loss to Belgium
Former Utah women’s basketball player Leilani Mitchell started for Australia, playing 27 minutes in Australia’s opening game of the Olympics, a 85-70 loss to Belgium.
Mitchell scored two points, both on free throws, and was 0-for-3 from the field.
Mitchell and Australia play next on July 30 against China.
Utah graduate Alexis Lagan finishes 16th in 10-meter air pistol mixed shooting
University of Utah graduate Alexis Lagan and her teammate Nick Mowrer placed 16th in 10-meter air pistol mixed shooting qualification with a score of 565-17x. Only the top four teams advanced to the final. Lagan and Mowrer were the only Americans to compete in the event.
University of Utah gymnast Grace McCallum, USA win silver medal in team final
Future Red Rock Grace McCallum and the United States gymnastics team won the silver medal in the women’s team final after Simone Biles withdrew from the event. Russia Olympic Committee took gold, while Great Britain won bronze.
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Up next
7/27, 10:40 p.m. MDT: Damian Lillard (Team USA, former Weber State basketball player), men’s basketball vs. Iran.
7/28, 2:20 a.m. MDT: Joe Ingles (Team Australia, Utah Jazz player), men’s basketball vs. Italy.
7/28, 2:30 a.m. MDT: Douglas Martinez (Team Honduras, Real Salt Lake player), men’s soccer vs. South Korea.
7/28, 6 a.m. MDT: Rudy Gobert (Team France, Utah Jazz player), men’s basketball vs. Czech Republic.
7/28, 6 p.m. MDT: Alexis Lagan (Team USA, University of Utah graduate), women’s 25-meter air pistol qualification
7/28, 7 p.m. MDT: Kim (Smith) Gaucher (Team Canada, former Utah women’s basketball player), women’s basketball vs. South Korea.
7/28, 7 p.m. MDT: Jordan Matyas (Team USA, former BYU rugby player), women’s rugby vs. China.