Fresno State Athletics
Berg Makes Fourth Olympic Team
9/18/2007 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Sept. 18, 2007
FRESNO, Calif. - Former Fresno State standout Laura Berg made her fourth Olympic team, announced by the ASA earlier this week, which will take place at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
The team will kick off a 40-city U.S. Tour titled `Bound 4 Beijing' in February, giving fans all over the United States the opportunity to see the 2008 National Team.
The four year process culminated with the final selection camp held last week in Chula Vista, CA with 32 participants. The 2008 USA Softball Women's National Team roster includes 12 2004 Gold Medalist with 15 of the 2006 World Championship team making the roster. Three members of the 18-member roster will eventually be named replacements with 15 nominated to the United States Olympic Committee, prior to July 1, 2008, as the official roster for the 2008 Olympic Games.
Below are the members of the 2008 National Team:
Monica Abbott, Salinas, Calif. (University of Tennessee `07)Laura Berg, Santa Fe Springs, Calif. (Fresno State Graduate '98) - Outfielder Berg is one of two three-time Olympic gold medalist to be selected to the 2008 Women's National Team. Along with her two Olympic gold medals, Berg has captured gold at four World Championships and three Pan American Games as well as received the honor of carrying the flag during closing ceremonies at the 2007 Pan American Games.
Crystl Bustos, Canyon Country, Calif. (Palm Beach C.C.)Andrea Duran, Selma, Calif. (UCLA '06)Lisa Fernandez, Long Beach, Calif. (UCLA '95)Jennie Finch, La Mirada, Calif. (Arizona '02)Tairia Flowers, Tucson, Ariz. (UCLA '04)Vicky Galindo, Union City, Calif. (Cal '04)Alicia Hollowell, Suisun, Calif. (Arizona '06)Lovieanne Jung, Fountain Valley, Calif. (Fresno State/Arizona '03) - Second baseman Jung has been a fixture on the National Team level since 2002 when she made her first appearance at the ISF World Championships. She is a two-time World Champion and Pan American Champion and is looking to earn her second-Olympic gold medal after drawing a team-high five walks during the '04 Games.
Kelly Kretschman, Indian Harbour Beach, Fla. (Alabama '01)Lauren Lappin, Anaheim, Calif. (Stanford '06)Caitlin Lowe, Tustin, Calif. (Arizona '07)Jessica Mendoza, Camarillo, Calif. (Stanford '02)Stacey Nuveman, La Verne, Calif. (UCLA '02)Cat Osterman, Houston, Texas (Texas '06)Jenny Topping, Whittier, Calif. (Cal-State Fullerton `03)Natasha Watley, Irvine, CA. (UCLA '03)Coaches for the 2008 USA Softball Women's National Team will be Head Coach Mike Candrea (Casa Grande, Ariz.) from the University of Arizona, Assistant Coach Chuck D'Arcy (Sacramento, Calif.), Assistant Coach Karen Johns (Charlottesville, Va.) and Assistant Coach John Rittman (San Jose, Calif.) from Stanford University.
The USA Softball Women's National Team has a record of 24-4 over the last three Olympic Games including an undefeated 9-0 record at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, outscoring opponents 51-1. The team broke 16 records in 2004 including breaking eight of their own records previously set. On top of three Olympic Gold Medals, the U.S. women are eight-time World Champions and two-time World Cup Champions.
