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4. Jordyn Wieber – Gymnastics
Wieber is the reigning 2011 All-Around World Champion, the 2011 U.S. Senior National Champion and the 2011 American Cup Champion. Earlier this year she won the AT&T American Cup, and her second U.S. Senior National Championship. In total, she boasts more than 13 Gold medals from worldwide competitions including the World Championships, Pacific Rim Championships, the American Cup, and the Visa Championships.
3. Kerri Walsh/Misty May-Treanor - Beach Volleyball
Treanor and Walsh are 2-time gold medalists (Beijing and Athens), and are arguably the most successful female beach volleyball team. They won their first FIVB tour championship in 2002, and in 2003 they received “Team of the Year” honors recording an undefeated 39-0 season and 8 tourney wins. They had an undefeated streak of 112 matches until late 2008, when they fell to fellow Olympians Nicole Branagh and Elaine Youngs at the AVP Shootout. This year they finished second in the Volleyball World Championships.
2. Diana Taurasi & Company - Basketball
The U.S. women's team has won four consecutive gold medals and is riding a 33-game win streak going into international competition this year, but the squad assembled for 2012 has limited playing time together. However, being lead by UConn headcoach Geno Auriemma, and boasting a roster including UConn alums Taurasi, Sue Bird, Swin Cash, Ashja Jones, Maya Moore, and Tina Charles, it is fair to say that half the team is used to grinding out wins together. With the remaining roster including talent like Seimone Augustus, Tamika Catchings, Sylvia Fowles, Angel McCoughtry, Lindsay Whalen, and Candace Parker, it’s going to be interesting to see how the other countries fare against the U.S.
1. Abby Wambach & Company - Soccer
So far, in 2012 Abby Wambach, Alex Morgan, Hope Solo and company are 11-1-1, the Japan women’s team being the only team able to put a dent in their armor. The U.S. crew lost 1-0 to Japan in March at the Algarve cup and they tied 1-1 during an internationally friendly in Japan back in April. Wambach is currently fourth in all-time scoring in international soccer history, but missed Beijing in 2008 due to a broken leg. This is her year for a comeback on the Olympic stage, her ability to wear down defenses with her physical play, aerial game and hard running has long been a key to the USA’s success. The WNT is outscoring their opponents by a 59-5 margin. It’s looking like the road might lead to a 2011 Women’s World Cup rematch, with the Gold medal game most likely coming down to the U.S. vs. Japan.
The opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games is scheduled for Friday, July 27th on NBC. Log on to the London 2012 website for more info on the schedule or the Team USA website for more information on the athletes.
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