Michigan Olympic Updates: Thursday, Aug. 21
8/21/2008 12:00:00 AM | Olympics
Women's Track and Field
Former Michigan high jumper Nicole Forrester (1996-99) made her Olympic debut Thursday morning in Beijing, competing in group B of the high-jump qualifying rounds. Forrester cleared 1.89 meters (6-2 1/4 feet) on her second attempt at the height. Forrester finished 11th in the group, 19th overall and did not advance to the high-jump finals.
| INDIVIDUAL | EVENT | RESULT |
| Nicole Forrester (Canada) | High Jump Qualification | 11th, Group B (1.89m, 6-2 1/4) |
Wrestling
Former Wolverine All-American Andy Hrovat, the Wolverines' current director of wrestling operations, suffered a heartbreaking loss in the opening round of 84 kg/185-pound freestyle competition, falling to Cuba's Reineris Salas in three periods, 3-0, 3-1, 2-2. After scoring on a pushout midway through the third and deciding frame, Hrovat carried a narrow advantage until the closing seconds when, immediately after scoring a scrambling takedown to pad his lead, he was pushed to his back for a two-point exposure in the final three seconds of the match. The two-point move provided the tiebreaker as Salas advanced to the next round.
Hrovat gained the early advantage in the match after claiming the first period in the clinch. After winning the flip and starting with the leg, he immediately drove Salas to the edge of the mat and dumped him to his back for three points. The Cuban wrestler evened the score in the subsequent period with a late three-point takedown of his own. Hrovat quickly reversed to cut the gap but did not have enough time to attempt further offensive attacks.
| INDIVIDUAL | EVENT | RESULT |
| Andy Hrovat (USA) | 84kg Freestyle (vs. Reineres Salas, Cuba) | L, 3-0, 1-3, 2-2 |
Water Polo
Despite 14 saves by former Michigan All-America netminder Betsey Armstrong, the U.S. dropped the championship game by a 9-8 count. Two days after a late goal propelled the U.S. to the gold-medal game, the team fell victim to a last-minute marker as the Netherlands scored with 26 left in the game to break an 8-8 tie, with the Dutch goalkeeper making two huge saves in the closing seconds to secure the gold medal. The defending world champion United States squad had trouble containing Dutch standout Danielle de Bruijn, who scored seven goals on eight shots, and had to settle for the silver medal. The U.S. silver joins the bronze the team won in the Athens games and the silver from the Sydney games. » Complete Story
| INDIVIDUAL | EVENT | RESULT |
| Betsey Armstrong (USA) | USA vs. Netherlands (Final) |  L, 8-9 |
