The 2020 Tokyo Olympics began earlier this week and there’s a plethora of current and former Vols competing for Team USA and other nations in Japan.
Let’s take a look at how they’re performing.
Softball
Monica Abbott, one of the greatest Tennessee athletes of all time, has been dominant through four appearances and two starts in Japan, helping Team USA jump out to a 4-0 start in the Olympics.
Abbott was dominant in her first start, allowing just one hit in 1-0 win over Canada.
The right handed pitcher wasn’t as good in her second start in Japan. Of course “wasn’t as good” for Abbott meant allowing just one run in eight innings pitched in a 2-1 extra innings win over Australia. The one run allowed started on second base in the eighth inning.
Abbott allowed just one run, three hits and six walks while throwing 126 pitches and striking out 13 batters.
Through four games in Japan, Abbott has allowed just one run while striking out 28 in 16 innings pitched.
Coming out of the bullpen in two wins, Abbott has struck out all six batters she’s faced.
That’s good for a 0.56 ERA and a 3.11 strikeout to walk ratio.
Team USA softball is back in action today against Japan.
Swimming
The Tennessee swimming program is well represented in Japan and senior Erika Brown became the first Vol to medal in the 2021 Olympics.
Brown, a Charlotte, North Carolina native, helped the USA earn a bronze medal in the 4×100 relay. Leading things off for America, Brown helped the USA post a 3:32.81 time.
Brown wasn’t the only Vol competing in the 4×100 relay as senior Kira Toussaint swam third for the Netherlands in the event. The Netherlands finished fourth in the event, posting a 3:33.70 time.
The bronze medal was the 14th Olympic medal in the history of Tennessee swimming.
Toussaint didn’t have to wait long to compete again after her relay team narrowly missed medaling Saturday night. The All-American finished seventh in Sunday morning’s 100 meter backstroke with a 59.21 time.
The seventh place finish allowed Toussaint to advance to the event’s semi final Sunday night.
Ireland native Mona McSharry finished in ninth place in the 100 meter breaststroke, posting a 1:06.39 time. The ninth place finish was enough for the SEC Freshman Swimmer of the Year to advance to the event’s semi final Sunday night.
Tennis
Former Vol Tennys Sandgren is competing for the USA in Men’s Doubles.
Along with partner Austin Krajicek, Sandgren earned a three set win over an Australie tandem in the first round.
USA’s 3-6, 7-5(5), 10-5 win over John Peera and Max Purcell punched Sandgren and Krajicek a ticket to the Doubles Round of 16.
