Dein erstes Forum » for three games -- Texas A&M-Corpus Ch

When you compete in something as long as I have -- remember, I swam in my first Olympics before I was old enough to drive -- you see just about everything. The aging superstar chasing one more Olympic gold, the teenage record holder who everyone believes is the next big thing. Some succeed. Most fail. Maybe theyre not good enough, dont want to put in the work, or dont care about winning enough to truly push their body to its limit.And then theres Katie Ledecky. It was two years before the 2012 London Games when I first started paying attention to her. Every time she got in the water, it didnt matter what time of year it was, how rested she was, where she was swimming, who she was swimming against -- she was cranking best times, national records. It was incredible. I remember thinking, this girl might be the real deal.But I wanted to see it on the big, big stage. Could she do it in the Olympics?In London, Katie was just 15 years old -- the same age I was at my first Olympics in Sydney. She was quiet, kind of kept to herself. But on the final day of competition, in the 800 freestyle, she won gold by more than four seconds. I won gold in the 100 fly earlier that night and had just received my medal when Katies event began. As I was walking through the interview area, reporters began asking me questions that I didnt even answer. Instead, I pointed to the monitor where Katie was crushing it.This past summer in Rio, she backed it up with four more golds. Right now, shes untouchable. There are swimmers who might push her, but no one is going to beat her. I remember what that feeling was like; its a great place to be. You know that if you put in the work, the reward is going to be there at the end. The challenge becomes longevity. How long can you keep it up?But no one is better prepared for this than Katie. Shes that much better than everybody else. When I watch her swim, its like an art. Its beautiful. She maximizes her distance per stroke. Its just something you dont see in swimming. Beyond that, shes one of the hardest-working people Ive ever seen in training camp. She will swim with the guys and make them look like theyre standing still. I did a set with her once in Colorado Springs, Colorado, at the Olympic Training Center. We were supposed to go together, but I was thrilled when she decided to lead a lane because I didnt want to get my ass whipped. Shes just special.And beyond that, mentally, she never lets up. She goes all out the entire race. Her mentality is, Im going to crush this field as much as I possibly can. In the first 100 meters, the race is over. Hell, in the first 50 its over. She makes the statement and then backs it up. Its just so remarkable.Yet away from the pool, with her teammates, shes as laid back as anyone. Shes talking, laughing, messing around. Then she gives a few high-fives, goes out and absolutely destroys the rest of the world. Its amazing to watch. You just dont see people like her in the sport. I know. And for me to have shared part of my career with someone so dominant and dedicated, and yet still so determined, is an honor. I mean it. Im a fan of this sport as much as anyone. And I cant wait to see what she does next.More on Katie Ledecky? What makes Olympic swimmer Katie Ledecky remarkable Story ?? On this night, appropriately, Ledecky eclipses Phelps?Story ?? Katie Ledecky: Road to Rio training regimen?Story ?? How to be Katie Ledecky?Video ?The IMPACT25 is espnWs annual list of the 25 athletes and influencers who have made the greatest difference for women in sports. Explore the 2016 list and more content at espnW.com/IMPACT25. Don Buse Jersey . Numbers Game looks into the Canadiens securing the services of Thomas Vanek in a trade with the New York Islanders. The Canadiens Get: LW Thomas Vanek and a conditional fifth-round pick. Mel Daniels Jersey . 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ANAHEIM, Calif. -- UCLA freshman Lonzo Ball hoisted the Wooden Legacy championship trophy with his trademark smile after the 14th-ranked Bruins beat Texas A&M 74-67 Sunday.Ball, who had 16 points and 10 assists in the championship game, also earned a watch as he was named the tournaments MVP. Its the first of what is expected to be a lot of hardware for the star guard, who has had a fantastic start to his career.Its great. Coach talked about how this is our tournament and it has our name on it, Ball said. This was the first championship we were available to get, and we got it. It was a good team effort. As far as me winning the MVP award, Im grateful.Texas A&M (4-2) had a lead at 63-62 late in the second half, but was done in by turnovers and missed shots in the final minutes. Admon Gilder led the Aggies with 17 points, and Tyler Davis added 16.Issac Hamilton scored all 17 of his points in the first half, to lead UCLA (7-0), which beat Portland, New Mexico and Texas A&M to win the title.Ball had 47 points and 28 assists over the three games, and he set the tournaments assists mark in the process.Cathleen Trapani, Woodens granddaughter, was one of four Wooden family members on the court for the trophy presentation.I think Papa wouldve really liked him because hes very unselfish and makes them work like a team, Trapani said. My husband (Paul Trapani) said he makes others better, which Papa wouldve liked. Hes not obnoxious. He leads by example. Papa never liked exuberance and a showboat. He shares, and hes big on teamwork. Hes made the team closer.Ball started slow as he missed six of his first seven shots but still founds ways to help the Bruins, especially as a facilitator. The UCLA guard set tthe tournament record for assists.ddddddddddddUCLA showed how good they really are, Texas A&M coach Bill Kennedy said.BIG PICTUREUCLA benefited from playing tournament games on the road, although its Wooden Legacy games in Fullerton and Anaheim arent far from Westwood. Its first true road game will be Saturday at Rupp Arena, one of the toughest places to play in the country.Texas A&M benefited by upsetting Virginia Tech in the semifinals and getting freshman forward Robert Williams more experience. He came off the bench and had a splendid tournament and dazzled with dunksUP NEXTUCLA hosts UC Riverside on Wednesday before a difficult task playing at Kentucky -- the top-ranked team in the country -- on Saturday. UCLA then has a week off before hosting No. 25 Michigan on Dec. 10 at Pauley Pavilion.Texas A&M returns home to College Station for three games -- Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Denver and South Carolina State.POLL IMPLICATIONSUCLA is likely to move up in the poll after winning a tournament title and remaining undefeated.ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAMBall highlighted the all-tournament team as MVP. Also named to the team were: Davis, Texas A&M; Hamilton, UCLA; Tim Williams, New Mexico and Zach LeDay, Virginia Tech.QUOTE OF THE GAMEUCLA was tested by Nebraska and Texas A&M, but the Bruins found ways to control the game down the stretch each time.With five minutes to go in the game, these guys learned how to just go take the win, UCLA coach Steve Alford said. Thats exciting, coaching a group of guys like that because were still a new team. Down the stretch, they were terrific. ' ' '