Aug. 18, 2004

ATHENS, Greece - Natalie Coughlin led Cal's efforts on Day 5 of the 2004 Summer Olympics by claiming a gold medal in the 4x200-meter freestyle relay and advancing to the final of the 100-meter freestyle. She wasn't the only athlete proudly representing the blue and gold in Athens. Here's a closer look at Wednesday's Cal performers. Women's Swimming
The United States easily claimed top honors in the 200-meter freestyle relay in a world-record time of 7:53.42. Coughlin, who swam the lead-off leg, won her second gold medal (other in the 100 back) of the games and her third overall (silver in the 4x100m freestyle relay). 200-meter freestyle relay Coughlin advanced to Thursday's final of the 100-meter freestyle by finishing third in Heat 2 of the semifinals in a time of 54.37. Australia's Jodie Henry won the heat with a new world record (53.52). Overall, Coughlin posted the third-fastest time in the semifinals and in the morning qualifying heats (54.82) Cal head coach Teri McKeever is an assistant coach for the United States' women's swimming team. 100-meter freestyle semifinals 100-meter freestyle heats Men's Swimming
Senior Duje Draganja (Croatia) placed sixth in the 100-meter freestyle final, clocking in at 49.23. Draganja won the 100 free at the 2003 NCAA Championships. 100-meter freestyle final Alum Gordan Kozulj (Croatia) finished ninth (1:59.61) in the semifinals of the 200-meter backstroke, barely missing being among the top eight swimmers to advance to the finals. 200-meter backstroke semifinals Alex Lim (Malaysia), who recently completed his senior season at Cal, placed 21st (2:02.67) in the 200-meter backstroke heats. 200-meter backstroke heats Junior Miguel Molina (Philippines) placed 33rd (2:05.28) in the 200-meter IM heats. 200-meter IM heats Women's Track and Field
Alum Kristin Heaston finished 22nd in the shot put qualifying round with a heave of 17.17 meters in Ancient Olympia. Heaston led a trio of U.S. athletes in the event, but she failed to advance to the finals in her first Olympic appearance. The first Olympics were held at the same site 2780 years ago. shot put qualifying round Softball
Italy defeated Chinese Tapei, 1-0, in the preliminaries. Alum Nicole DiSalvio (pitcher) did not play. Chinese Tapei scored the game's only run in the bottom of the fourth inning. Italy held a 5-4 edge in hits. Italy vs. Chinese Tapei Box Score Behind a 12-hit attack, Japan blanked Greece, 6-0, in the preliminaries. Junior Lindsay James started for Greece again in left field but went 0-for-3 at the plate. Cal head coach Diane Ninemire is an assistant coach for the Greece. Men's Rowing
First-time Olympians Artour Samsonov and Luke Walton (Cal alum) finished fourth in their semifinal of the men's pair and now will race in a B final for places 7-12. The duo clocked a 6:32.51 to finish 7.03 seconds behind the winners from Germany. Germany won the race in a 6:25.47, with Serbia and Montenegro finishing second and South Africa finishing third. Men's Pairs Semifinals Women's Water Polo
Canada outscored the United States, 5-1, in the fourth quarter to claim a 6-5 victory. Cal alums Ericka Lorenz and Heather Petri saw action for the United States, with Lorenz posted a third-quarter goal. U.S. vs. Canada Box Score Women's Beach Volleyball
Holly McPeak, who played at Cal from 1987-89, teamed with fellow American Elaine Youngs to come from behind to defeat Switzerland's Nicole Schnyder and Simone Kuhn, 22-24, 21-17, 15-12. Box Score Look Ahead
Here's a sample of what's on tap for Cal athletes on Thursday, Aug. 19: Natalie Coughlin shoots for her fourth Olympic swimming medal in the final of the 100-meter freestyle. In men's hoops, New Zealand - featuring alum Sean Marks -- faces Serbia and Montenegro in the preliminaries. USA plays Greece in softball. Junior Lindsay James and Cal head coach Diane Ninemire represent the host country.