Post by bigfan on Jul 24, 2010 14:21:31 GMT -5
www.presstelegram.com/moresports/ci_15591279
Dynamic duo could make more history
KEISSER: Dynamic duo could make more history
By Bob Keisser Columnist
Today's vocal-and-local, spike-and-dig edition of The Sporting Muse:
Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh have made more than enough history in their volleyball careers. Each won a NCAA title, each was named College Player of the Year, they've dominated beach volleyball for a decade and won back-to-back Olympic gold medals in 2004 and 2008.
But there's more out there if they're interested.
If they reunite and make a run at a gold medal at the 2012 Olympics in London, they could tie the record for most gold medals in the same event by a woman.
The record is three, held by former USSR gymnast Larysa Latynina (floor exercise, 1956-60-64), Australian swimmer Dawn Fraser (100-meter free, 1956-60-64), and Hungarian swimmer Krisztina Egerszegi (200-meter backstroke, 1988-92-96).
The all-time record regardless of gender is six by Aladar Gerevich of Hungary, who was a member of six straight team epee (fencing) titles over an amazing stretch of time-1932 and 1936, and then 1948-52-56-60 after World War II.
The record for individual gold is four, shared by Paul Elvstrom (Denmark; Finn class yachting, 1948-52-56-69), discus thrower Al Oerter (1956-60-64-68) and long jumper Carl Lewis (1984-88-92-96).
May-Treanor and Walsh will both be active this weekend at the AVP Nivea Long Beach Open at Marina Green, but they aren't playing as teammates, and may not reunite at all in 2010.
Walsh, who just gave birth to her second child, is slowly getting back into the sport by playing in the Nike 4-person tournament.
May-Treanor is playing with Nicole Branagh all season, and has said she's committed to finishing the season with Branagh.
May-Treanor and Walsh have been teammates since 2001, an eternity in beach volleyball. Walsh realized her post-Olympic goal by having two kids with husband and fellow pro Casey Jennings. Injuries set Misty's plans for 2009 aside and competing work schedules have kept her and husband Matt Treanor, the Texas Rangers catcher, from being together.
One can understand why a veteran volleyball player with a bucket list might consider retirement. Since the season began, May-Treanor and Branagh have had two weekends off and played 12 events between the AVP and FIVB tours.
Their itinerary since late April has been: Ft. Lauderdale, Brazil, Santa Barbara, China, a week off, Rome, another week off, Huntington Beach, Moscow, Virginia, New Jersey, Norway, Switzerland, Hermosa Beach and now Long Beach.
There are five AVP stops left, including trips to San Francisco, Chicago and Cincinnati. They are committed to playing an FIVB event in Austria next week as well as an October event in China and a November date in Thailand.
There are four other FIVB events in August, too, they could add to their schedule.
Dynamic duo could make more history
KEISSER: Dynamic duo could make more history
By Bob Keisser Columnist
Today's vocal-and-local, spike-and-dig edition of The Sporting Muse:
Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh have made more than enough history in their volleyball careers. Each won a NCAA title, each was named College Player of the Year, they've dominated beach volleyball for a decade and won back-to-back Olympic gold medals in 2004 and 2008.
But there's more out there if they're interested.
If they reunite and make a run at a gold medal at the 2012 Olympics in London, they could tie the record for most gold medals in the same event by a woman.
The record is three, held by former USSR gymnast Larysa Latynina (floor exercise, 1956-60-64), Australian swimmer Dawn Fraser (100-meter free, 1956-60-64), and Hungarian swimmer Krisztina Egerszegi (200-meter backstroke, 1988-92-96).
The all-time record regardless of gender is six by Aladar Gerevich of Hungary, who was a member of six straight team epee (fencing) titles over an amazing stretch of time-1932 and 1936, and then 1948-52-56-60 after World War II.
The record for individual gold is four, shared by Paul Elvstrom (Denmark; Finn class yachting, 1948-52-56-69), discus thrower Al Oerter (1956-60-64-68) and long jumper Carl Lewis (1984-88-92-96).
May-Treanor and Walsh will both be active this weekend at the AVP Nivea Long Beach Open at Marina Green, but they aren't playing as teammates, and may not reunite at all in 2010.
Walsh, who just gave birth to her second child, is slowly getting back into the sport by playing in the Nike 4-person tournament.
May-Treanor is playing with Nicole Branagh all season, and has said she's committed to finishing the season with Branagh.
May-Treanor and Walsh have been teammates since 2001, an eternity in beach volleyball. Walsh realized her post-Olympic goal by having two kids with husband and fellow pro Casey Jennings. Injuries set Misty's plans for 2009 aside and competing work schedules have kept her and husband Matt Treanor, the Texas Rangers catcher, from being together.
One can understand why a veteran volleyball player with a bucket list might consider retirement. Since the season began, May-Treanor and Branagh have had two weekends off and played 12 events between the AVP and FIVB tours.
Their itinerary since late April has been: Ft. Lauderdale, Brazil, Santa Barbara, China, a week off, Rome, another week off, Huntington Beach, Moscow, Virginia, New Jersey, Norway, Switzerland, Hermosa Beach and now Long Beach.
There are five AVP stops left, including trips to San Francisco, Chicago and Cincinnati. They are committed to playing an FIVB event in Austria next week as well as an October event in China and a November date in Thailand.
There are four other FIVB events in August, too, they could add to their schedule.