Aug. 11, 2008

BEIJING - The third day of competition with current and former California student-athletes at the Summer Olympics featured an Olympic record in swimming as many competitors continued to advance toward their medal rounds.

In the women's 200-meter freestyle, incoming Cal freshman Sara Isakovic won her heat with an Olympic-record time of 1:55.86 to advance to the semifinals for Slovenia. Isakovic's record lasted only one heat before it was bested by Federica Pellegrini of Italy with a new world record of 1:55.45.

Isakovic will compete in the semis of the 200 free starting at 7 p.m. PT tonight.

Natalie Coughlin advanced to the final of the 100 backstroke with her second-overall time of 59.43, and moved on to the semifinals of the 200 individual medley with a time of 2:11.63, good for third overall. The 100 back final takes place tonight beginning at 7:20 p.m. PT, while the semis of the 200 IM begin at 8:23 p.m. PT.

Swiss swimmer Dominik Meichtry advanced to the final of the men's 200 freestyle with his seventh-place finish of 1:46.54 in yesterday's semis. His preliminary time of 1:45.80 was the fastest finish in the heats. His final takes place tonight at 7:13 p.m. PT.

Other Cal swimmers in competition were Israel's Guy Barnea, who finished 16th in the 100 backstroke (54.93), and Hong Kong's Sherry Tsai, who ended her Games with a 33rd-place finish in the 200 individual medley (2:18.91).

In rowing, the U.S. women's eight finished first ahead of Great Britian, Canada and Germany in its opening heat (6:06.53) with former Cal rower Erin Cafaro on board. The U.S. advances to the final on Aug. 17 at 2:10 a.m. PT.

Serbia's Iva Obradovic qualified for the semifinals of the single scull when she finished third in her heat of the quarterfinals with a time of 7:39.16. She will now race Tuesday at 11:50 p.m. PT.

On the men's side, Jake Wetzel and Canada's eight finished first in its heat with a time of 5:27.69 to advance to the final Aug. 16 at 12:30 a.m. PT.

American Elliot Hovey and his double scull finished fourth in its repechage race with a time of 6:26.05, falling short of qualification for the semifinals. Hovey and partner Wes Piermarini will row against the Iraq boat in the C final on Wednesday.

The U.S. women's water polo team got underway in Group A with a narrow 12-11 victory over China with former Cal student-athletes Elsie Windes and Heather Petri on the squad. They next face Italy at 12:40 a.m. PT on Aug. 14.

In men's field hockey, Canada lost its preliminary match against defending Olympic champion Australia, 6-1, under the guidance of Cal women's assistant coach Peter Milkovich, who serves as an assistant on Canada's coaching staff. Canada next faces Pakistan Aug. 13 at 3:00 a.m. PT.