Long Beach State is a Force to be Reckoned with at 2012 Olympics
Continuing a tremendous tradition, Long Beach State is a force to be reckoned with at 2012 Olympics. This year eight former 49er student-athletes are competing in London, which is very impressive and one of the many reasons I’m proud to be an alumna of The Beach! Since the founding of the University in 1949, Long Beach State has had at least one representative in every Summer Olympic Games. That’s pretty fabulous!
In an attempt to win an unprecedented third consecutive Gold Medal in Beach Volleyball, Misty May-Treanor and her partner Kerri Walsh are bringing the heat. May-Treanor was a two-time NCAA Player of the Year with Long Beach State women’s volleyball, leading the 49ers to the first-ever undefeated season in NCAA history as well as a national championship during the 1998 season.
The USA Men’s National Volleyball team is also returning as defending Gold Medalists. Alan Knipe is leading the team as head coach while they try to bring home the Gold again. Knipe is a Long Beach State Hall of Famer, won the 1991 National Championship as a player with Long Beach State and led the 49ers to the Final Four twice, in 2004 and 2008. The team includes David Lee, as middle blocker opposite David McKienzie, and Paul Lotman as outside hitter. Lee was a big gun on the 2008 Beijing Gold Medal team, and McKienzie was a three-time All-American and set an NCAA record with 58 kills in a match as a 49er. Lotman, was the National Co-Player of the Year in 2008, while leading The Beach to the NCAA Final Four.
The USA Women’s National Volleyball team features two heavy- hitters Danielle Scott-Arruda and Tayyiba Haneef-Park. The dynamic duo helped lead Team USA to a Silver Medal in Beijing and Scott-Arruda is making a record fifth appearance in the Olympics.
In case you haven’t had enough, Kenneth Medwood is competing for the Belize National Team. Medwood was a two-time participant in the NCAA National Championships, Long Beach State record holder in the 400m Hurdles and Big West Champion in the event.
Wow, how’s that for a sick line-up? Now you see why Long Beach State is a force to be reckoned with at 2012 Olympics. Long Beach State has more former athletes in London than some entire Olympic teams and our 49er phenoms are on their way to bring home the Gold. Go Team USA and go BEACH!
