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By Dylan Hernandez

Daily Bruin Senior Staff

Since the modern Olympics began in 1896, UCLA has had unparalleled success at the Games. The school has sent 332 athletes to the Games, with over half of them having won a medal. Of those medals, 95 have been gold.

This summer, UCLA again expects to send its share of current and former athletes to the Olympics in Sydney, Australia. For some athletes, it will be a return trip, either to maintain their position as the world’s best or to undo previous disappointments. For others, it will be their opportunity to reach a life-long dream. Then there is the group of those like Jess Strutzel, a track and field All-American at 800 meters.

For Strutzel, who completed his fourth year of school this spring, the Olympic dream started just last year.

As a high schooler at Huntington Beach, he was among the best in the CIF Southern Section, but nowhere near the level of Michael Granville of Bell Gardens. Granville ran 1:46.45 to set a national record and qualify for the Olympic Trials. Strutzel, meanwhile, lagged back in the 1:52s.

Yet, after a few years at UCLA, which both he and Granville attended, Strutzel found himself to be the one closer to the Olympics. Granville was hampered by a string of injuries and Strutzel was competing in big meets without him. Strutzel’s times were dropping and soon, he was among the best middle-distance runners in college.

Last summer, Strutzel qualified for the USA Track and Field championships and made the finals. Although he fizzled out in the championship race, he knew he was close. If he could finish in the top three at the Olympic Trials in one year, he would go to Sydney.

“I can do this,” he told himself.

Since then, Strutzel has been training with the Olympics in mind, joining hordes of other Bruins doing so.

Several of those UCLA stars will be playing on the softball team, which captured gold in the ’96 Atlanta Games. Five former Bruins, including current assistant coach Lisa Fernandez, are on the squad, along with current UCLA slugger Stacey Nuveman.

UCLA’s volleyball program should have a good showing, both indoors and out. Dan Landry (1990-93), Jeff Nygaard (1992-95) and Tom Stillwell (1995-98) are all part of the current U.S. indoor national team. Also, fellow Bruin alum Kevin Wong is considered to be one of the better players on the beach tour and will probably be chosen for the Olympics.

For the women, Annette Davis (1991-94), Jenny Jordan (1992-95), Liz Masakayan (1982-85) and Elaine Youngs (1988-92) also have a good shot on the beach.

While former Bruin Reggie Miller (1984-97) was not selected to be part of this year’s basketball “Dream Team,” UCLA will have a roundball entrant in Sydney, as American Basketball League’s 1998 MVP Natalie Williams (1991-94) is currently on the national team roster.

On the soccer field, Pete Vagenas (1996-99) and Sasha Victorine (1996-99), current teammates on the L.A. Galaxy, are also likely to wear the American colors. Both are on the under-23 national team, which will compete at the Games.

Steve McCain, a gymnast at UCLA between 1993 and 1994, has world championship experience and a solid shot at making the squad. Women’s water polo has four players currently on the national team, while Bruin Sean Kern (1997-present) is on the men’s national team.

In track, Gail Devers (1985-88), the defending women’s 100 meter champion, headlines the Bruin contingent. Men’s world 200 meter champion Ato Boldon (1995-96), representing Trinidad and Tobago, and female shot-putter Seilala Sua (1997-2000) are also gold medal contenders.

And of course, there is Strutzel.

Although medaling in Sydney is unlikely and his chances of making the Games are marginal, Strutzel has been at UCLA’s Drake Stadium running intervals on the track since the beginning of the summer. His girlfriend, Ali Villagra, looked on, holding a stopwatch.

“I’m a little nervous for him,” Villagra said, referring to the Olympic Track Trials in late July. “I have total confidence in him, though.”

Strutzel thinks training at Drake will give him the advantage he needs.

“There’s a power here,” he said. “You feel it. Everyday, you see great athletes training here and you remember the ones that used to come here. It gives you strength.”

OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL STANDINGS The United States has consistently ranked in the top three countries in terms of gold medals won. Of those those winning gold medalists, quite a few of the winners have been from UCLA. The statistics show the number of gold medals won by UCLA Athletes. 1984 in Los Angeles 1. United States 83 2. Romania 20 3. West Germany 17 UCLA Athletes: 19 gold medals 1988 in Seoul 1. Soviet Union 55 2. East Germany 37 3. United States 36 UCLA Athletes: 17 gold medals 1992 in Barcelona 1. United Team 45 2. United States 37 3. Germany 33 UCLA Athletes: 8 gold medals 1996 in Atlanta 1. United States 44 2. Russia 26 3. Germany 20 UCLA Athletes: 12 gold medals

• More than half of UCLA's Olympic athletes have earned medals. It is the highest percentage among U.S. colleges.
• UCLA has sent 332 athletes to the Olympic Games. Of them, 95 have earned gold medals, 46 have earned silver, and 42 have earned bronze.

SOURCE: UCLA Athletics Department Original Graphic by JACOB LIAO/Daily Bruin Web Adaptation by HERNANE TABAY/Daily Bruin Senior Staff