Besides Akron's Murphy getting a Bronze, who else from the MAC is collecting hardware down in Rio?

Jaden Cox going for a medal in wrestling. Going against Iranian in Quarters.

and Cox beats the Iranian 5-1 to go on to the semifinals. One win away from a medal.

Defending Gold medalist Jordan Burroughs lost 3-2 to a Russian in quarters, then lost for the bronze. Looked like he was not at full speed - may have picked up a virus or food issue. He looked lethargic. The Russian on the other hand, was ranked 2nd in the world and I would bet the farm he has seen a few syringes in his wrestling training. Had an episode of 'roid rage during the match and cracked heads with Burroughs opening a gash on Burroughs forehead.

Akron's Barber finished short in the vault. Was one of the faves.

Forgot about Barber. Saw him vault once - for Canada I think - and missed at that height.


BTW - Cox lost his next match, then got pulled through to the bronze medal match and beat the Cuban who refused to wrestle the last 6 seconds of the match after losing a challenge on scoring. He gets DQ'd, but doesn't matter since he would have lost anyway. Cox gets bronze, so 2 bronze medals for the MAC, who can hardly afford to fund the Olympic sports anymore that are considered non-revenue. That is sad in my opinion, but the US women have pretty much dominated in medals at the Olympics, so the other side of the Title IX seems to have worked out well.

final comment - men's track is picking up in the middle and long distance (huge win in the 1,500) and seems to be falling behind a tad in the sprints - or the rise of Jamaica and other countries that we have not matched.

Finishing third (before the DQ) to Japan would never have been heard of in the 4 x 100. Japan has been developing some decent sprinters and swimmers as well.

Ohio State's Kyle Snyder gets in to Gold Medal match this afternoon. At 20 years old, he can become reigning world champ (won at 19 last year) and Olympic champ. Still has 2 years of eligibility in college after competing as a true freshman and finishing second. Won the NCAA championship this year at heavyweight while "bulking up" to 226 pounds and beating the 270 pound 2 time champ from NC State. How does anyone get that good that young - and in the upper weights no less. Of 18 medals available in Freestyle wrestling, US will come away with 2 - with an outside chance for another bronze still available. Defending gold medalist and 3 time world champ finished 4th. USA won 2 golds in London.