The 2012 Olympic Games in London begin in less than six weeks.
University of Virginia field hockey stars Paige Selenski and Michelle Vittese are two of the 16 players named to the United States field hockey team Monday and will represent the U.S. later this summer.
Selenski and Vittese, both All-Americans at UVA, both won gold medals last year playing with Team USA in the Pan American Games in Mexico, helping earn Team USA's first ever gold medal in field hockey.
Each had a goal in the gold medal upset of #1 Argentina, which earned the U.S. an automatic bid for this summer's Olympics.
Selenski, a three-time All-American, is a rising senior at Virginia and already ranks third on the school's all-time goals and points lists.
"I am honored to have been named to the Olympic roster, especially with the depth of talent that our national squad possesses," Selenski said. "The past year has been a long journey for myself and our entire team. We will have to keep progressing and working hard over the next month and a half as we look forward to being successful against the best teams in the world and earn a spot on the podium."
Vittese, a two-time All-American, is also a rising senior and has 16 goals and 19 assists during her career as a Cavalier.
"It means everything to me," Vittese said. "I have prepared for this moment for so long and it's been my biggest goal ever since I was a kid. Being the competitive person that I am, it is going to be a great experience to put my skills to the test on a stage of this magnitude. The pressure is going to be awesome; the whole world will be watching. The Olympic Games are the paramount moment in any athlete's life."
They're the first two Wahoo field hockey players to represent UVA in the Olympics.
"This is a celebratory moment for Paige and Michelle and all they have accomplished at the highest echelon of their sport," Virginia head coach Michele Madison said. "They took a year off from their studies to pursue a life-long dream and they succeeded. Paige and Michelle possess the talent, intelligence and expertise to compete in a world arena for Team USA against the best athletes in the world. We are very proud they will be representing not only their country, but the University of Virginia as well."
The U.S. Olympic Team will play an exhibition game at UVA Monday, June 18 against Argentina at the University Hall Turf Field, the start of a four-game test series against Argentina. Admission and parking is free to the public.
The United States has been drawn into a challenging pool made up of No. 2 Argentina, No. 3 Germany, No. 6 New Zealand, No. 7 Australia and No. 12 South Africa. The Americans will open Pool B play at the Olympic Games against Germany on Sunday, July 29. From there, the U.S. will advance to their next opponents in the tournament – Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and then close the preliminary rounds with South Africa on Monday, August 6. The women's first semifinal will take place on Wednesday, August 8, and the gold-medal round commences on Friday, August 10.
The team will depart for London on July 21.
PHOTO COURTESY: USA Field Hockey
