Aug. 14, 2008
Center Valley, Pa. - Patriot League representatives had a busy and productive Thursday in the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, as Army rising sophomore Stewart Glenister won his heat in the men's 50-meter freestyle swimming event and Bucknell graduate J.R. Holden poured in 25 points for the Russian men's basketball team in an 86-79 loss to Lithuania.
Lafayette assistant coach Amy Tran was also in action for the United States field hockey team, starting in goal as the Americans fell to 0-1-2 in pool play with a 4-2 loss to defending champion Germany.
Competing for American Samoa, Glenister won the fourth heat of the 50-meter freestyle competition with a time of 25.45, finishing .15 seconds ahead of his closest competitor. While he did not advance to the semifinal round, Glenister was one of just 16 swimmers to win a heat in the event.
Holden did all he could in a close game for Russia, scoring a game-high 25 points on 8-of-14 shooting, including 3-of-5 from long range. He was second on the team with five assists and also pulled in three rebounds. Russia falls to 1-2 in Group A of men's basketball pool play, and now faces a key matchup with Australia, which is also 1-2, on Friday at 11:15 p.m.(Eastern). The top four finishers in each of the two six-team groups advance to the men's basketball quarterfinals.
After posting a pair of ties against higher-ranked opponents, Tran and the United States field hockey team suffered their first loss in pool play to Germany. Tran started in goal and helped the United States to 1-1 tie into the second half, but the Germans scored three times in the final 21 minutes to earn the victory. The United States has two games remaining in Group B of pool play, with the next matchup against New Zealand on Friday at 8:30 p.m. (Eastern). That game will air tape-delayed on the USA Network on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. (Eastern). The top two finishers in each of the two six-team pools advance to the medal round.
To read more about Glenister's effort, read the blog from Army Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving Head Coach Mickey Wender, who is the head coach of American Samoa's team, by clicking here. For more on Tran and the United States field hockey team, read the updates from American University Head Field Hockey Coach Steve Jennings, who is an assistant with the U.S. squad, by clicking here.
For more information on this year's Olympians, as well as past Patriot League participants and updates and information on the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, visit the Patriot League Olympians page under the special features section on the League website or click here.