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Two years ago, Misty May-Treanor wasn't sure she would even try out for the London Olympics. On Wednesday, she and Kerri Wash Jennings completed their stunning run through three Olympic Games, never losing a match — and only dropping one set. They beat the American team of Jennifer Kessy and April Ross to claim their third gold medal. All four players in Wednesday's final are from the beaches of Southern California, and they shared an emotional hug on the sand after the match, which took just two sets. Then May-Treanor and Walsh Jennings ran over to the stands to celebrate with their coach and friends, and Walsh Jennings hugged her two sons. There were some tears spilled, at the stadium in London and at Dodger Stadium, where husband Matt Treanor watched the match on a laptop in the trainers' room, then excused himself for a private moment before he met the media in the dugout. "The old ladies went out and did it," the Dodgers catcher said on Channel 2.
May-Treanor, 35, reiterated after the match that this was her final competition. Walsh Jennings, 33, said she will continue to play beach volleyball but declined to name her new partner. Pressed by NBC host Bob Costas, she deftly deflected him and asked for a night to savor the latest victory.
In the 200-meter race, Allyson Felix of Los Angeles Baptist High School and USC won her first individual gold medal.
Photo: Doug Mills/New York Times at NYT.com
