Aug. 23, 2008

Track & Field
Monique Henderson won the fourth gold medal for a UCLA Bruin this year, capturing gold in the 4x400m relay on Saturday. Henderson ran the third leg of the relay for the U.S., which ran a 3:18.55, the fastest time in the world since 1993.

The U.S. came from behind to win the race when anchor Sanya Richards caught and passed her Russian counterpart in the final 50 meters. Also running on the U.S. team were Allyson Felix, who is coached by UCLA volunteer assistant coach Bobby Kersee, and Mary Wineberg.

This is Henderson's second consecutive Olympic gold medal; she won gold with the 4x400m relay in Athens in 2004.

"It's an amazing feeling to win a gold medal," Henderson said. "It was really touch-and-go there for a while. Thankfully, Sanya ran a great anchor leg and brought us back to win the gold."

Photo Gallery
View photos from Monique Henderson's gold medal moment HERE.

Coming Up
On the final day of competition on Sunday, the U.S. men's water polo team plays Hungary for the gold medal at 12:40 am PT, and the U.S. men's volleyball team plays Brazil for the gold medal at 9:00 pm PT Saturday.

Medal Count
Gold - 4 (Lauren Cheney, w. soccer; Dawn Harper, track & field, 100m hurdles; Monique Henderson, track & Field, 4x400m relay; Mark Hunter, rowing, lightweight double sculls)
Silver - 7 (Andrea Duran, softball; Tairia Flowers, softball; Natalie Golda, w. water polo; Jaime Hipp, w. water polo; Stacey Nuveman, softball; Sheena Tosta, track & field, 400m hurdles; Natasha Watley, softball)
Bronze - 2 (Kim Vandenberg, swimming, 4x200m free relay; Tanya Harding, softball)

Note: Jillian Ellis, Guy Baker and Bob Alejo coached teams to medals. Ellis was an assistant coach for the gold medal-winning U.S. women's soccer team. Guy Baker was the head coach of the silver medal-winning U.S. women's water polo team. Alejo was the coach of beach volleyball gold medalists Todd Rogers/Phil Dalhausser. In addition, Jeanette Bolden is the head coach of the U.S. women's track and field team. Coaches are not awarded medals at the Olympic Games.