Many nations. All Frogs.
Purple is not one of the colors of the Olympic rings, but TCU was well-represented in the Beijing Games in August. With sprinters, swimmers and a pitcher, former and future Frogs came to compete and find the medal stand. Here's a look at how the Purple and White did in striking gold.
Photos courtesy Getty Images, McClatchy News Service, Associated Press
Jake Arrieta
Nation: United States
Event: Baseball
Highlight: Former 2007 All-America pitcher and Baltimore Orioles minor leaguer helped key Team USA to a 9-1 victory over China. The right-hander tossed six shutout innings and struck out seven to earn his first win in Beijing. Team USA won the bronze medal.
Edgar Crespo
Nation: Panama
Event: 100-meter breaststroke
Highlight: This incoming TCU freshman turned in the top time of the second heat in 1:03.72, however his time did not qualify him to advance to the semifinals.
Virgil Hodge
Nation: St. Kitts & Nevis
Events: 100 and 200 meters
Highlight: Six-time All-American (2004-08) was selected as her nation's flag-bearer in the Opening Ceremonies. In the 100 meters, she grabbed the last qualifying spot into Round 2, but did not advance any farther. In the 200 meters, she finished third in a preliminary heat, but she could not make it out of the quarterfinals where she clocked a time of 23.17, good for fifth.
Darvis "Doc" Patton
Nation: United States
Events: 100 meters, 4 x 100 meter relay
Highlight: Former Flyin' Frog from 2000-01 finished second in his first two preliminary heats, then finished fourth in the semifinals to qualify for the 100-meter finals. He ran a 10.03 to finish eighth.
Lili Guiscardo
Nation: Argentina
Event: 100-meter Breaststroke
Highlight: Former Frog swimmer from 1999-2001 finished fourth (1:11.43) in her heat in the women's 100-meter breaststroke.
Kim Collins
Nation: St. Kitts & Nevis
Events: 100 and 200 meters
Highlight: Six-time All-American and three-time NCAA champion circa 2000-01 finished sixth overall in the 200-meter finals (20.59) and was edged out by Michael Frater in the semifinals of the 100-meter semifinals.
Michael Frater
Nation: Jamaica
Events: 100 meters, 4 x 100 relay
Highlight: Seven-time All-American with the Flyin' Frogs from 2001-04 won a gold medal in the 4x100 relay and sprinted to a 9.97 to finish in the 100-meter finals for a sixth-place finish overall.
Lewis Banda (no photo)
Nation: Zimbabwe
Event: 400 meters
Highlight: Former Frog from 2006 finished sixth in his heat in the 400 meters.
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