The 2012 Summer Olympics got underway last week in London.
Approximately 17,000 athletes from 205 countries will compete in 26 sports.
Former Ceres Unified School District standout athletes Latrisha Jordan, Alejandro Garcia and Joey Rossi will be watching the excitement.
Jordan, a 2008 Central Valley High School grad, starred on the Fresno State women's track and field team for four seasons. She placed eighth in the 400 hurdles at the 2009 NCAA Championships her freshman year. Latrisha won three WAC individual titles.
Jordan hopes American Olympians Allyson Felix (100, 200) and Lolo Jones (100 hurdles) do well in their respective events.
Felix and Jones are chasing gold.
Allyson is a two-time Olympic silver medalist and three-time world champion in the 200.
Lolo is a three-time USA indoor champion.
"They're both really good," Latrisha said.
Jordan competed against Felix and her World Class Elite Club 4x100 relay team at the Mount SAC Relays in 2009.
"As soon as she got the baton, it was over," Latrisha said. "She's amazing. I got a chance to talk to her. She was so humble and nice. She understands what she has is a blessing and doesn't take advantage of it. She works hard. She gives everything to God. That's the aspect I like of her."
Jones appeared on her way to a first-place finish in the 100 hurdles at the 2008 Olympics before clipping the ninth hurdle and stumbling to the ground.
Lolo had back surgery in August and completed her comeback when she earned a spot on the 2012 team with a third-place finish.
"She's a fighter," Jordan said.
Garcia, a 2010 Ceres High grad, brought home a sixth-place medal from the 2012 California Community College Track & Field Championships.
The Modesto Junior College distance runner also defended his 10,000-meter title at the NorCal finals.
"This will be my second time watching the Olympics," Garcia said. "I'm going to try out for the 2016 Olympics."
Garcia, 21, is currently training for his final season of cross country with the Pirates.
"When I'm 25 or 26, I'll start with half marathons then move on to the full marathon," Alejandro said. "I'd have to put in 120-150 miles per week for marathon running. It takes a lot of dedication."
American-hopeful Ryan Hall will be vying for gold in the 2012 Olympic marathon.
Rossi, 24, suited up for the University of the Pacific men's water polo team for four seasons. The 2006 Ceres High grad just returned home from overseas. He helped lead Nordek to the Australia Country club championship.
"I actually played against a lot of the Olympians through college competition," said Rossi, who's pursuing his doctorate in administration and instruction at UOP. "It's great to see people make it. It must be a big honor to represent your country like that."
Rossi and UOP's club team battled U.S. goalkeeper Merrill Moses and New York Athletic Club during the summertime between his sophomore and junior years.
"I remember getting blocked and scoring occasionally," Joey said. "He's talented."
Rossi and his family watched the Americans beat Montenegro 8-7 on Sunday.
Mallori Gibson, Joey's girlfriend, supports the U.S. volleyball team.
Gibson played the sport at Fresno Pacific and professionally overseas.
She's an assistant coach at Fresno State.
"We're hoping both teams get gold," Joey said.
Approximately 17,000 athletes from 205 countries will compete in 26 sports.
Former Ceres Unified School District standout athletes Latrisha Jordan, Alejandro Garcia and Joey Rossi will be watching the excitement.
Jordan, a 2008 Central Valley High School grad, starred on the Fresno State women's track and field team for four seasons. She placed eighth in the 400 hurdles at the 2009 NCAA Championships her freshman year. Latrisha won three WAC individual titles.
Jordan hopes American Olympians Allyson Felix (100, 200) and Lolo Jones (100 hurdles) do well in their respective events.
Felix and Jones are chasing gold.
Allyson is a two-time Olympic silver medalist and three-time world champion in the 200.
Lolo is a three-time USA indoor champion.
"They're both really good," Latrisha said.
Jordan competed against Felix and her World Class Elite Club 4x100 relay team at the Mount SAC Relays in 2009.
"As soon as she got the baton, it was over," Latrisha said. "She's amazing. I got a chance to talk to her. She was so humble and nice. She understands what she has is a blessing and doesn't take advantage of it. She works hard. She gives everything to God. That's the aspect I like of her."
Jones appeared on her way to a first-place finish in the 100 hurdles at the 2008 Olympics before clipping the ninth hurdle and stumbling to the ground.
Lolo had back surgery in August and completed her comeback when she earned a spot on the 2012 team with a third-place finish.
"She's a fighter," Jordan said.
Garcia, a 2010 Ceres High grad, brought home a sixth-place medal from the 2012 California Community College Track & Field Championships.
The Modesto Junior College distance runner also defended his 10,000-meter title at the NorCal finals.
"This will be my second time watching the Olympics," Garcia said. "I'm going to try out for the 2016 Olympics."
Garcia, 21, is currently training for his final season of cross country with the Pirates.
"When I'm 25 or 26, I'll start with half marathons then move on to the full marathon," Alejandro said. "I'd have to put in 120-150 miles per week for marathon running. It takes a lot of dedication."
American-hopeful Ryan Hall will be vying for gold in the 2012 Olympic marathon.
Rossi, 24, suited up for the University of the Pacific men's water polo team for four seasons. The 2006 Ceres High grad just returned home from overseas. He helped lead Nordek to the Australia Country club championship.
"I actually played against a lot of the Olympians through college competition," said Rossi, who's pursuing his doctorate in administration and instruction at UOP. "It's great to see people make it. It must be a big honor to represent your country like that."
Rossi and UOP's club team battled U.S. goalkeeper Merrill Moses and New York Athletic Club during the summertime between his sophomore and junior years.
"I remember getting blocked and scoring occasionally," Joey said. "He's talented."
Rossi and his family watched the Americans beat Montenegro 8-7 on Sunday.
Mallori Gibson, Joey's girlfriend, supports the U.S. volleyball team.
Gibson played the sport at Fresno Pacific and professionally overseas.
She's an assistant coach at Fresno State.
"We're hoping both teams get gold," Joey said.
