Suburban sports stars follow dreams to Beijing
The assignment from MacArthur Junior High track coach Greg Fedyski for one of his star runners, Jorge Torres, was pretty straightforward: Write down your goals.
Considering that this was in the mid-1990s and computers hadn't completely take over the world, Torres actually took out a piece of paper and wrote down five simple words.
"Make the 2008 Olympic team."
On July 4, at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore., the 1999 Wheeling High School grad did just that by finishing third in the 10,000 meters in the U.S. Olympic Trials, thus punching his ticket to Beijing.
"It's a lifelong dream and something I've been chasing since a very young age," Torres said. "The last 100 meters of the Olympic Trials I realized my dream had come true."
Torres is just one of the nearly two dozen athletes with ties to Illinois that will be representing the United States in Beijing, all realizing a dream come true.
Some you've no doubt heard of, such as Naperville's Candace Parker, who, in a matter of days led Tennessee's basketball team to an NCAA title, was the first pick in the WNBA draft, and now is in Beijing hoping to lead the U.S. women to gold.
Or Chicago product Dwyane Wade, a star at Marquette before turning pro and leading the Miami Heat to an NBA championship in 2006.
How about longtime Arlington Heights resident Brian McBride, who recently returned from Europe to sign on with the Chicago Fire? Before McBride dons the red and white of the Fire, he'll be in China representing the red, white and blue on the soccer field.
But for every Wade, for every Parker, for every McBride, there are athletes such as Sean Rooney of Wheaton (volleyball) and Jamie Schroeder of Wilmette (rowing) - world-class athletes in their own right, but not quite household names outside of their respected sports.
Tonight, though, the Parkers and the Rooneys of the world will walk together as one as part of Team USA's delegation during the opening ceremonies.
And for the next two weeks or so, these Olympians will not only be representing their country but also trying to do their hometowns proud as well.
Here's a look at our Prairie State Olympians:
Vic Wunderle
Mason City
Archery (individual men's and team)
This is the third straight Olympic appearance for Wunderle, who finished third at the U.S. Trials in May.
In action: Saturday, with team elimination and medal rounds on Monday. Men's individual eliminations Wednesday, with finals Aug. 15.
Jorge Torres
Wheeling
Track and Field
Since he was in middle school, Torres has had one main goal: compete in the 2008 Olympics. Well, it's mission accomplished for the Wheeling High School graduate, who will make his Olympic debut in the 10,000 meters. Torres' brother, Edwardo, finished 11th in the 10,000 at the U.S. national championships. In action: Sunday, Aug. 17.
Dawn Harper
East St. Louis
Track and Field
Harper, who is coached by Bob Kersee, will make her Olympic debut in the 100-meter hurdles.
In action: Friday, Aug 15.
Dwyane Wade
Robbins
Basketball
The Chicago product has turned into one of the elite guards in the NBA since being selected by the Miami Heat out of Marquette with the fifth overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft. This is the second Olympic appearance for Wade, who led the Heat to an NBA championship in 2006.
In action: Sunday vs. China; medal games Aug. 24.
Deron Williams
U of I
Basketball
Technically not from Illinois, but he makes the list just for getting the Fighting Illini within a game of the national title in 2005. Has become one of the top point guards in the league under the guidance of Utah coach Jerry Sloan.
In action: Sunday vs. China; medal games Aug. 24.
Candace Parker
Naperville
Basketball
No doubt the most recognizable face in women's basketball, the Naperville Central product figures to play a prominent role on this year's team. It will cap quite a whirlwind six months for Parker, who led Tennessee to a national title, was selected No. 1 in the WNBA Draft by Los Angeles and now will represent her country in Beijing.
In action: Saturday vs. qualifier opponent in Group D; medal games Aug. 23.
Tamika Catchings
Stevenson High
Basketball
The former Stevenson High School standout makes her second consecutive Olympic appearance. The daughter of former NBA player Harvey Catchings, she is a WNBA standout with the Indiana Fever who has sufficiently recovered from tearing an Achilles tendon nearly a year ago to be one of the last three players named to the team.
In action: Saturday vs. qualifier opponent in Group D; medal games Aug. 23.
Sylvia Fowles
Chicago Sky
Basketball
As a member of the Chicago Sky, she now calls Chicago her home.
The former LSU center joins Candace Parker as the only rookies on this year's team.
The 6-foot-5 Fowles, the second overall selection in the 2008 WNBA Draft, figures to log time as Lisa Leslie's backup in Beijing with her defensive skills and shot-blocking ability.
In action: Saturday vs. qualifier opponent in Group D; medal games Aug. 23.
Cappie Pondexter
Chicago
Basketball
The Marshall High School alum and 2001 National Prep Player of the Year award winner makes her Olympic debut.
The stellar guard out of Rutgers seems to enjoy the big stage; after all, she was the 2007 WNBA Finals MVP for the Phoenix Mercury,
In action: Saturday vs. qualifier opponent in Group D; medal games Aug. 23.
Christian Vande Velde
Lemont
Road Cycling
Fresh off a fifth-place finish in the 2008 Tour de France, Vande Velde is headed to his second Olympics.
He finished 12th in the individual pursuit at the Sydney Games.
In action: Friday, with individual finals on Wednesday, Aug. 13.
Kelci Bryant
Chatham
Diving
Will make her Olympic debut in the 3-meter springboard and the 3-meter synchro.
In action: Sunday finals.
Christina Loukas
Riverwoods
Diving
The senior at Indiana qualified for her Olympic debut by winning the women's 3-meter springboard at the Olympic Trials.
In action: Sunday finals.
Justin Spring
Champaign
Gymnastics
Spring, the self-admitted former wild child and son of astronaut Sherwood "Woody" Spring, has settled down in his role as assistant coach of the University of Illinois men's gymnastics team.
Gymnastics starts Aug. 14. He qualified for Team USA by finishing first in the parallel bars, second in the vault, third in the horizontal bars, seventh in the still rings and 10th in the floor exercise.
Jamie Schroeder
Wilmette
Rowing
Schroeder, who began his rowing career as a freshman at Northwestern, will be making his second consecutive Olympic appearance. The six-time national team member finished 10th in the men's four in Athens.
In action: Saturday.
Brian McBride
Arlington Heights
Soccer
After playing a few years in Europe for Fulham FC in the Premier League, the Buffalo Grove High School graduate returned to the northwest suburbs recently to join the roster of the Chicago Fire. The 36-year-old forward was the first player taken in the inaugural MLS Draft by the Columbus Crew, and his ability to score in the air off headers should help Team USA, along with his international experience. Action began Thursday, with the U.S. defeating Japan, and continues Sunday vs. Netherlands. Finals Aug. 23.
Brad Guzan
Homer Glen
Soccer
The 24-year-old goalie was selected with the second overall pick (highest-ever for a goalkeeper) in the 2005 MLS Draft by Chivas USA.
Action began Thursday, with USA defeating Japan, and continues Sunday vs. Netherlands.
Jennie Finch-Daigle
Chicago Bandits
Softball
The face of the Chicago Bandits and women's professional softball, Finch will be making her second Olympics appearance.
The star pitcher finished with a 2-0 record and a 0.00 ERA in the 2004 Games in Athens. In an exhibition softball appearance in 2004, Finch struck out Albert Pujols, Mike Piazza and Marcus Giles.
In action: Tuesday vs. Venezuela, with finals Aug. 23.
Vicky Galindo
Chicago Bandits
Softball
The former Chicago Bandits infielder, who once carried the Olympic torch before the Atlanta Games, finally realizes her dream of competing in the Olympics. In Beijing, Galindo is expected to see a lot of action at third base.
In action: Tuesday vs. Venezuela, with finals Aug. 23.
Cat Osterman
Chicago
Softball
It's not only the Rockford Thunder who will be represented in Beijing, but DePaul's softball program will be cheering on its pitching coach. Osterman will be making her second Olympics appearance. Like Finch, Osterman was 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA in Athens.
In action: Tuesday vs. Venezuela, with finals Aug. 23.
Matt Grevers
Lake Forest
Swimming
Growing up in a house with an indoor pool and with a mother who taught swimming lessons paid off for Grevers, who will compete in the 100 backstroke and the 4 x 100 free relay.
In action: Sunday, with relay finals on Monday and backstroke finals on Tuesday.
Christine Magnuson
Tinley Park
Swimming
Her father, Bill, swam at Southern Illinois and is now a swim coach with the Tinley Park Sharks. Christine will make her Olympic debut in the 100 butterfly.
In action: Sunday, with finals Monday.
Tom Hoff
Park Ridge
Volleyball
The team captain since 2006 makes his third straight Olympic appearance. Coming off back surgery, Hoff played valiantly for the U.S. in Sydney in 2000.
In action: Volleyball starts Tuesday, with finals Aug. 24.
Sean Rooney
Wheaton
Volleyball
The 6-foot-9 Rooney started out as a basketball player at Wheaton Warrenville South but soon switched and led WWS to a state volleyball title in 2001 at age 16. This will be the Olympic debut for the 25-year-old outside hitter.
In action: Volleyball starts Tuesday, with finals Aug. 24.
Oganna Nnanani
Normal
Volleyball
The senior at Stanford is a first-generation American whose parents emigrated from Nigeria. Though this is her second Olympic appearance, she is still one of the youngest players on the team.
In action: Tonight, with finals Aug. 23