3000 Metre Steeplechase
In her Olympic debut
Maria Bernard ran hard and strong, but couldn't find enough in her legs to advance through the heats in the 3000 metre steeplechase. Bernard is the reigning co-winner of the May Brown Trophy as UBC's Graduating Female Athlete of the Year. Her Olympic qualification was somewhat of a surprise, as she ran an incredible race at the Canadian Olympic trials in Edmonton to book her ticket to Rio.
Bernard, who earned a science degree from UBC, trained for the Olympics by running on her lunch break while working her day job at Calgary's Foothills Hospital. Saturday in Rio she finished 13th in her heat with a time of 9:50.17, a very respectable Olympic debut for the former UBC and NAIA track star.
Rowing
UBC Thunderbird
Lauren Wilkinson and her Canadian rowing eight teammates started their race for gold strong, but faded down the stretch to end up fifth in the women's eight finals early this morning. The Canadians were essentially the same team that won silver in London 2012, but couldn't make a return trip to the podium at Rio's Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon.
Wilkinson will return to the John M.S. Lecky UBC Boathouse in 2016 to race for the Thunderbirds. The North Vancouver native will also be working towards her Master's degree at UBC.
Beach Volleyball
UBC Thunderbird
Jamie Broder's captivating Olympic run came to an end today. In a cruel twist, Broder and her partner Kristina Valjas drew fellow Canadian duo Heather Bansley and Sarah Pavan in the round of sixteen.
In a hard fought match on Copacabana Beach, Broder and Valjas fell in straight sets (21-16, 21-11). The duo can hold their heads high, knowing at their first Olympic games they won two of three matches in the preliminary rounds.
Volleyball
In men's volleyball, UBC Thunderbird and Canadian starting libero
Blair Bann and his teammates secured a huge win over Mexico. The Canadians cruised to victory in the match in straight sets (25-20, 25-13, 25-22).
The win keeps the Canadians hopes of advancing to the tournament's next round alive, with a record of 2-2. The Canadians will look to upset the powerful Italians on Monday.
