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Pan Am - Burris wins Silver, Rhoads takes Bronze at Artistic Free Skate Competition
By Diana Wright // U.S. Olympic Committee
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil – Abigail Burris (Dixon, Calif.) clinched a Pan American Games silver medal tonight in the Women’s Artistic Free Skate at the Miecimo da Silva Sports Complex in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Josh Rhoads (Everett, Wash.) got a medal of his own, skating to a bronze medal in the Men’s event.
Burris, who came into the long program in first place after tallying 88 points a night earlier in the short program, finished with a total score of 341.8. Leila Vanzulli of Argentina won the event with a score of 369.7 and Juliana Almeida of Brazil was third with 341.6 points.
“I’m relieved!” Burris said. “I didn’t skate as well as I’d have liked but I’m very happy with a silver medal.”
Rhoads came into the long program seeded third after the short program, where he scored 87.4 total points. He finished the event with a total score of 359.5. To the delight of the crowd, Marcel Sturmer of Brazil won the gold medal with a final score of 389.1. Daniel Arriola of Argentina was second with 376.6.
“It was a great contest – what a great crowd,” Rhoads said. “I’m a little disappointed that I didn’t skate better because I know that I can, but I did what I could and am proud to have a Pan Ams Games Bronze Medal.”
These were the first Pan American Games for both Burris and Rhoads. At 23 and 27, respectively, both have solid experience behind them and have their eyes on their next competition, National Championships, which is less than one week away.
“This is a big event for us; the equivalent of our Olympics, but we’re also working towards Nationals and World Championships, which will be another great test,” said Rhoads.
The next Roller Sports competition at the 2007 Pan American Games is the Inline Speed contest, which begins with qualification rounds on Tuesday.
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