Gators in the Olympics - August 18
Monday, August 18, 2008 | General
Former Florida sprinter Kerron Clement (LaPorte, Texas), in the first Olympic Games of his career, claimed the silver medal in the men's 400-meter hurdles on Monday at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
Track & Field
Clement, who won his heat in both the first round and the semifinals, finished second overall in the 400-hurdle finals in a time of 47.98.
The United States finished 1-2-3 in the event, marking the first sweep in the men's 400 hurdles since the US accomplished that feat in 1960. Angelo Taylor captured the gold medal in a time of 47.25, while Bershawn Jackson won the bronze in 48.06.
The silver medal by Clement increases the medal count of current and former Gators to nine (2 gold, 4 silver, 3 bronze). It marks the first medal claimed by a former Gator track and field athlete in the 2008 Games.
Soccer
The U.S. Women's Olympic Team came back from an early deficit to defeat Japan, 4-2, in Beijing to advance to the gold medal match.
Former Gator All-American Heather Mitts made her fifth consecutive start of the 2008 Olympic Games on the U.S. backline and added the assist on the U.S.'s game-winning goal in the 70th minute.
The U.S. will face Brazil on Thursday, Aug. 21 for the gold medal. Kickoff is set for 9 a.m. ET in Beijing.
Baseball
Starting pitcher Jake Arrieta threw six scoreless innings and Nate Schierholtz went 2-for-3 with three RBIs as the U.S. Olympic baseball team defeated China, 9-1, on Monday evening at the Wukesong Main Field.
Arrieta and three relievers combined to limit China to just four hits on the evening and helped the U.S. to improve its record to 3-2 in round-robin play. The loss drops China to 1-4. Team USA continues competition on Tuesday evening with first pitch set for 7 p.m. local time (7 a.m. EDT) at the Wukesong Main Field.
Former Gator Matt LaPorta (Port Charlotte, Fla.) reached base three times in four plate appearances, courtesy of two walks and a hit by a pitch. He scored as a part of a three-run fifth stanza that gave the U.S. a 4-0 cushion.
2008 Gator Medal Count: 9 (2 Gold, 4 Silver, 3 Bronze)
| Gator | Country | Sport | Event | Time | Medal |
| Caroline Burckle | U.S. | Swimming | 800-meter free relay | 7:46.33 | Bronze |
| Ryan Lochte | U.S. | Swimming | 200-meter back | 1:53.94 | Gold |
| Ryan Lochte | U.S. | Swimming | 800-meter free relay | 6:58.56 | Gold |
| Ryan Lochte | U.S. | Swimming | 200-meter IM | 1:56.53 | Bronze |
| Ryan Lochte | U.S. | Swimming | 400-meter IM | 4:08.09 | Bronze |
| Dara Torres | U.S. | Swimming | 400-meter medley relay | 3:53.30 | Silver |
| Dara Torres | U.S. | Swimming | 50-meter free | 24.07 | Silver |
| Dara Torres | U.S. | Swimming | 400-meter free relay | 3:34.33 | Silver |
| Kerron Clement | U.S. | Track & Field | 400-meter hurdles | 47.98 | Silver |
-UF-
