Bowie High School Grad Haley McGregory will get her shot at Natalie Couglin in the 1oo Backstroke finals Tuesday night.  McGregory broke Coughlin’s world record in the prelims only to see Coughlin re-claim the record just minutes later.  McGregory had the fastest time in the Semis and Tuesday night they will square off, of course both could make the team with a 1-2 finish.  Coughlin went to UT for two years after graduating from Bowie and then transferred to USC.  She trains back in Austin with Longhorn Aquatics.

Brendan Hansen doesn’t take anything for granted.  Even though he holds the world record in the 100 Breaststroke he admits he was pretty nervous Monday night.   Hansen did win and is now going back to Beijing and try to win the gold that eluded him in 2004.  Mark Gangloff edged out Austin swimmers Scott Spann and Eric Shanteau for the 2nd spot on the team.

Austin Swimmer Haley McGregory broke the 100 Meter Backstroke world record at the Olympic trials in Omaha, Nebraska Monday morning only to see Natalie Coughlin reclaim it in her preliminary heat.  McGregory swims in the semifinals Monday night with the top 8 advancing to the Tuesday night final.  McGregory graduated from Bowie High School in Austin and swims for Longhorn Aquatics.

Trey Hardee is in 2nd place after 6 of the 10 Decathlon events at the Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon.  The former Longhorn who trains in Austin needs to finish in the top 3 to make the Olympic team.  His next event is the discus, then the pole vault, javelin throw and then it wraps up Monday night with the 1500 Meter run.

             It really is amazing to look at how many Central Texas swimmers will be in Omaha next week for the Olympic Trials.  Longhorn Aquatics will send 44 including the big 3 of Aaron Peirsol, Brendan Hansen, and Ian Crocker.  All three  have legitimate shots at Gold, Peirsol and Hansen could win multiple individual Gold.               Then there are the teenagers from smaller area teams.  Nitro Swimming in Cedar Park is sending Maddie Tarantolo (200 Fly) and Megan Onstott (200 Breaststroke) while Texas Gold’s Micah Lawrence will swim the 100 and 200 Breaststroke.  Most of the 47 will not be going to Beijing considering they only take the top 2 in each event, but you look at how many Olympians say their first trials was just to gain experience and then they follow that up 4 or 8 years later with a spot on the team and this could be just the beginning for a lot of them.            Hope you’ll check out the trials, Sunday, Friday, Saturday and next Sunday on NBC and Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday on USA.             Since I’ll be heading to Beijing for the Games, the more local swimmers the better for us. 

So… The Texas Longhorns don’t make it to the College World Series. I was bummed. We in the sports office were bummed. I think our photographer Todd was looking forward to some ice cream from that Zesto’s place in Omaha. None of us went to Omaha. But Augie Garrido did. We have proof. He was on TV, cheering on his Fresno State Bulldogs. Augie graduated from Fresno State, and according to his documentary film, “Inning by Inning,” that’s where Augie learned a good deal of his coaching style of fundamental baseball.  So what does Augie have to do with the comeback that led to Fresno State winning it all?

Mojo.

The Longhorns may have not made it to the CWS this year, but Garrido’s history with the summer classic goes beyond the forty acres. His Cal State Fullerton team has some history there of course. Augie brings a certain energy to any diamond he’s on, and I’m sure his good thoughts about Fresno State in some way, shape, or form, contributed to their 19-10 win over Georgia in game two, and their 6-1 win in game three.

Believe what you want, but it’s just another great baseball story that somehow involves Augie Garrido.

Hello to all on the sports desk blog… I am working on a pretty good story for tonight’s 10:00 PM show. It’s actually airing before sports and weather, so look for it early! It’s about Charles Austin, the 1996 gold medal-winner in the high jump. He went to school at Texas State (then it was Southwest Texas State) and has started a gym and training facility in San Marcos. I had a great time talking to Austin about what he’s been doing since he stopped competing in the games… And I hope you all enjoy the story.

 -Leila Rahimi