Zhang, Huang headline North American Olympic Trial qualifiers as Philadelphia sports legends make appearance
Brett Fischer and Mike Mazzeo
Issue date: 1/11/08 Section: Sports
Yu Shao (7-4) had a chance to get a spot in the North American Trials, but Xiao, a 21-year-old student at the University of Maryland College Park, ended his hopes and dreams in seven sets (9-11) (11-7) (11-13) ( 11-6) (11-9) (7-11) (11-5).
"In the last game, the first three or four points, I wanted to give [Shao] the impression I was going hard every point and then I kind of softened up," Xiao said. "I think it surprised him."
Xiao, who resides in Germantown, Maryland didn't feel any pressure to make the team, unlike his fellow competitors.
"If I didn't make it, I didn't make it," Xiao said.
Owens was able to pick up his eighth and final victory unopposed, due to a forfeit after Razvan Cretu was unable to play due to fatigue.
"It was a great accomplishment," Owens said on making it to Vancouver. "I'm happy to be part of the National Team and move on to the second stage.
The 32-year-old, who resides in Oakbrook Terrace, Ill., believes the Americans will be very successful against their Canadian counterparts.
"I know all the Canadians and they are high-level players," Owens said. "But for us, we have a lot of experience and I think that we can beat the Canadians."
The oldest of the group will be the 49-year-old Cheng who lives in Boyds, Maryland.
Despite losing his last match to Mark Hazinski (8-3, fifth place) in seven games (11-4) (8-11) (8-11) (11-9) (14-12) (6-11) (11-7), Cheng was able to win the tiebreak by virtue of a computer scoring system.
"I just tried my best," Cheng said.
All four of the qualifiers received a huge break when No. 1-ranked Illija Lupulesku withdrew before the opening day of round-robin matches.
Hazinski will participate in the world championships next month in China.
The official placements for the remaining players who failed to qualify for higher competition of play were Sean Lonergan (4-7, seventh place), Adam Hugh (3-8, eighth place), Khoa Nguyen (5-6, ninth place), John Leach (1-10, tenth place), Tahl Leibovitz (1-10, eleventh place), and Razvan Cretu (3-8, twelfth place - withdrawal).
"In the last game, the first three or four points, I wanted to give [Shao] the impression I was going hard every point and then I kind of softened up," Xiao said. "I think it surprised him."
Xiao, who resides in Germantown, Maryland didn't feel any pressure to make the team, unlike his fellow competitors.
"If I didn't make it, I didn't make it," Xiao said.
Owens was able to pick up his eighth and final victory unopposed, due to a forfeit after Razvan Cretu was unable to play due to fatigue.
"It was a great accomplishment," Owens said on making it to Vancouver. "I'm happy to be part of the National Team and move on to the second stage.
The 32-year-old, who resides in Oakbrook Terrace, Ill., believes the Americans will be very successful against their Canadian counterparts.
"I know all the Canadians and they are high-level players," Owens said. "But for us, we have a lot of experience and I think that we can beat the Canadians."
The oldest of the group will be the 49-year-old Cheng who lives in Boyds, Maryland.
Despite losing his last match to Mark Hazinski (8-3, fifth place) in seven games (11-4) (8-11) (8-11) (11-9) (14-12) (6-11) (11-7), Cheng was able to win the tiebreak by virtue of a computer scoring system.
"I just tried my best," Cheng said.
All four of the qualifiers received a huge break when No. 1-ranked Illija Lupulesku withdrew before the opening day of round-robin matches.
Hazinski will participate in the world championships next month in China.
The official placements for the remaining players who failed to qualify for higher competition of play were Sean Lonergan (4-7, seventh place), Adam Hugh (3-8, eighth place), Khoa Nguyen (5-6, ninth place), John Leach (1-10, tenth place), Tahl Leibovitz (1-10, eleventh place), and Razvan Cretu (3-8, twelfth place - withdrawal).
Be the first to comment on this story