California Irvine Athletics

 

Meet the Olympians

Ryan Bailey Country: USA Event: Water Polo Position: 2M

The senior member on the U.S. roster, is making his third Olympic appearance and is one of only two current American players to compete on two Olympic teams (the other, Tony Azevedo)...has scored five career goals in Olympic competition...considered as the strongest player on the team (bench-press over 400 lbs), and he has recorded the fastest shot (54 mph)...plays professionally in Serbia...played for the Anteaters from 1994-98, redshirting the 1997 season...three-time All-American as well as MPSF Player of the Year in 1988...scored 263 goals in his Anteater career, including 104 goals to led the team as a senior. What They Are Saying "Ryan brings a wealth of experience to the team, and has proven to be one of the top centers in the world. A very powerful center, with great fundamentals, Bailey physically dominates his position. He also has the best hands I have ever seen at his position." - UCI Head Coach Marc Hunt "Ryan is big and strong and has continued to grow smarter over his many years of playing this game. He should be the USA dominant setter." - Ted Newland, UCI Coach Emeritus

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Jay Glaser Country: Netherlands/USA Event: Sailing Position: Assistant Coach - Tornado

Will be serving as a coach for the Dutch team as well as an assistant coach for the U.S. in his third consecutive games...helped the U.S. team of John Lovell and Charlie Ogletree to a silver medal in the Tornados in 2004...he won his own silver medal in the 1984 Olympic Tornado event...also earned a silver medal at the 1986 Goodwill Games...member of UCI's national championship team in 1972. What they are saying: "Jay is a very well respected sailor and coach. He is a proven winner and his knowledge will be a great advantage for the Dutch and American teams." - Mike Pinckney, UCI Sailing Coach

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	Brittany Hayes Country: USA Event: Water Polo Position: Attacker
Recently finished her first year of the two-year masters program in Criminology, Law and Society at UC Irvine...2007 graduate of USC, playing on the Trojan's 2004 National Championship team...she was a four-time All-American and four-time All-MPSF selection while at USC...member of the U.S. Gold Medal winning team at the 2007 World Championships.

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Tim Hutten Country: USA Event: Water Polo Position: 2-meter defender

2008 winner of the annual Peter J. Cutino award given to the best collegiate water polo player in the country...two-time All-American...Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Player of the Year as well as MPSF Tournament MVP as the Anteaters made it to the championship game...Conference scholar-athlete as well as the 2008 UCI Lauds & Laurels Athlete of the Year...member of the Anteater team from 2003-07, taking a redshirt year in 2006...graduated last June with a degree in political science. What they are saying: "Tim is an exciting player to watch. Much like Powers, he is very versatile in his abilities. Tim can score from both the perimeter and at 2-meters as well as probably being one of the top defenders on the team. A great young talent for the U.S. Team who will have immediate impact." - UCI Head Coach Marc Hunt "Tim is the second youngest player on the team, but he will give a great effort every time he plays. He can play both offense and defense. He should see a lot of time guarding set, but hopefully he will get to play some set." - Ted Newland, UCI Head Coach Emeritus

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	Eva Lee Country: USA Event: Badminton Position: Women's Doubles, Women's Singles
Won three gold medals at the 2007 Pan American Games, capturing the title in singles, women's doubles (with May Mangkalakiri) and mixed doubles...2004 USA Badminton Player of the Year...won state titles in singles and doubles in 2006 while competing at Irvine Valley College...currently a student at UC Irvine.

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	May Mangkalakiri Country: USA Event: Badminton Position: Women's Doubles
Three-time USOC Female Badminton Athlete of the Year...won a gold medal at the 2007 Pan American championships in Rio de Janeiro with Eva Lee...graduated from UCI in 2006 with a degree in social ecology.

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Rick Merlo Country: USA Event: Water Polo Position: 2-meter defender

Will be making his first Olympic appearance...two-time All-American as well as all-conference selection in 2003 and 2004...member of the Anteaters from 2001-04 seasons...older brother, Mark and younger brother, Curt also played for the Anteaters. What they are saying: "Rick brings a silky smooth outside shot that frustrates opposing goalies. Rick is a great 'team' guy who is not afraid to do the thankless jobs that make a team successful." - UCI Head Coach Marc Hunt "Rick will give you a great effort every time he gets in the water." - Ted Newland, UCI Coach Emeritus

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	Amber Neben Country: USA Event: Cycling Position: Road
2003 USA Cycling National Road Race Champion...two-time winner of the Tour de l'Aude Feminin (women's Tour de France)...earned a master's degree in biology from UCI...current member of the Anteater Recreation Center.

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	Mike Pinckey Country: USA Event: Sailing Position: Assitant Coach
UCI head coach Mike Pinckney will serve as an assistant coach for Nick Scandone at the Paralympics. Pinckney, in his first Olympic appearance, will be the main technician for Scandone's the boat

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Jeff Powers Country: USA Event: Water Polo Position: Defender

Making his second Olympic appearance...played for UCI from 1999-03...first-team All-American in 2000-2002...three-time All-MPSF honoree...was the top scorer in MPSF in 2000...led UCI in scoring in 2000 and 1999...played from 1998-02, redshirting in 2001. What they are saying: "Jeff is probably one of the top all around players in the world. He can play every position very well. His versatility is unique. He can be a very difficult player to contain for any defender. With a rocket outside shot, you do not want to be standing behind the goal when Jeff is tuning up his accuracy." - UCI Head Coach Marc Hunt "Jeff has size and speed and can do it all. He should start in every game." - Ted Newland, UCI Coach Emeritus

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Nick Scandone Country: USA Event: Sailing Position: SKUD

Skipper Nick Scandone and crew Maureen McKinnon-Tucker will participate in a new Paralympic class, SKUD...in 2005, Scandone won the 2.4mR World Championship in an 88-boat fleet of disabled and able-bodied sailors and was crowned US SAILING Rolex Yachtsman of the Year...1988 ICSA All-American for the Anteaters...helped UCI win the national championship in 1988. What they are saying: "Nick is such an inspiration. His desire, will and passion for the sport is unmatched by anyone I know." - Mike Pinckney, UCI Head Sailing Coach

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John Speraw Country: USA Event: Men's Volleyball Position: Assistant Coach

Will be making his first Olympic appearance as an assistant coach...led UCI to a national championship in 2007...one of only two individuals (Rod Wilde) to win a national title as a head coach, assistant coach and player...named National and MPSF Coach of the Year...under his direction, UCI has advanced to post-season play the last three seasons and has been ranked in the Top 10 final poll five or his six seasons. What they are saying: "John has been a great addition to our coaching staff. He knows the game of volleyball and is very good with the players. He contributes in lots of meaningful ways and he's had a very positive impact on our program." - Hugh McCutcheon, USA Head Coach