Go Irish, Beat Planet Earth: Updates from Rio

As the summer games in Rio progress, former and current Notre Dame student athletes continue to shine. Track star Molly Huddle set a new American record in the women’s 10,000 meter final with a time of 30:13.17. Although her time was not quite fast enough to medal, Huddle finished 6th overall and now holds the fastest 10,000 meter time in the history of American women’s track.

Another prominent former ND runner Margaret Bamgbose, representing Nigeria, advanced through her first heat of the women’s 400 meter and will run again tonight for a shot to race in the 400 meter final.

Natalie Achonwa and the women’s Canadian basketball team got off to a red hot 4-0 start, but have dropped their last two games to favorites USA and Spain. Canada looks to continue their pursuit of a medal as they prepare for France in the quarterfinals.

Melissa Tancredi and the Canadian women’s soccer team remain perfect through pool play and the quarterfinal round with a 1-0 win over France, and are now slated to take on Germany in the semis.

Fencer Mariel Zagunis, a gold medalist in London’s 2012 summer games, won bronze on Saturday in the women’s team sabre, defeating France by a score of 45-30.

ND alum Amanda Polk and her team cruised to gold in the rowing women’s 8 event. Heavily favored, Polk’s team has now won 11 straight World/Olympic titles, a feat that had previously never been done.

Be sure to check back in with OFD throughout the remainder of the 2016 Rio Summer Games for more Fighting Irish Olympic updates.