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General Road to repeat will be tougher for '96 champs 09/08/2000 By Calvin Watkins / The Dallas Morning News
Four years later, the Americans are the favorites to repeat as Olympic champions, but they face stiff competition in host Australia, which won the bronze in '96, and China, the silver medalist. Grand Prairie native Jennifer McFalls experienced the 1996 Olympics as an alternate for the U.S. team. This time, McFalls is a utility infielder who will back up the popular Dot Richardson at second base. "Dot's been great," said McFalls. "She knows I want to play, as do the coaches, but there are times I do get a chance to play and I have to make the most of things." McFalls, a three-sport standout at South Grand Prairie High School before moving on to Texas A&M, earned her place on the team with a good 1999 season in which she played on gold-medal winning U.S. teams in the U.S. Olympic Cup, the Pan American Games, and the Canada Cup. McFalls said the pressure will be on the U.S. to repeat as champion, especially because of the popularity of softball in this country. "Everybody expects us to win it again," said McFalls. "A lot of teams are gunning for us, but I think this team is a lot better [than the '96 team]." Houston native and former University of Texas pitcher Christa Williams agrees. She said the team is stronger in many areas, foremost on offense. "I wouldn't want to go up against our lineup," Williams said. "I mean we have girls in the lineup teams haven't heard of yet. We've got the power, pitching and experience." Williams will be counted on for relief and as a spot starter. Last year, she allowed only two hits and struck out six in the gold-medal victory over Australia in the U.S. Olympic Cup. "I'm having a lot of fun playing and enjoying this moment," Williams said. "I think it's tough to repeat as champions, but with the team we have, I think we should be in good shape to do it." The pitching will be key, as Lisa Fernandez, who struck out 31 in 21 innings in the 1996 Olympics, has been devastating during a summer tour in preparation for the Olympics. "I don't know too many teams who can stop us with Lisa," Richardson said. "She is the best pitcher in the world and continues to show that." At one point during the tour, in which the Americans played against pro and college players, Fernandez didn't give up a hit or walk in 37 consecutive innings and retired 111 straight. Fernandez isn't the only pitcher U.S. opponents will see in Sydney. Lori Harrigan has been a solid No. 2 starter for the United States, and in '96 she threw a complete-game two-hitter against Chinese Taipei. Michele Smith, who had a 1.50 ERA in the '96 Olympics, is the No. 3 starter. Another pitcher, Danielle Henderson, is on her first Olympic team. "This team is very focused on our goals," Fernandez said. "We know teams are looking at us and that's why we needed a very good tour. You have to be very prepared for the goal and that's to win another gold medal. This time it won't be easy to win a gold medal because other teams have gotten better." Richardson said the group of players who played in '96 and return for this Olympics will make things smoother. "The pitching has always been there for us," Richardson said. "But our hitting will be a factor. As long as we hit, we can beat anybody. This is the best team I've been on." The power is comes from Richardson, first baseman Sheila Douty, left fielder Christie Ambrosi and right fielder Leah O'Brien-Amico.
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Track star 
1996
swimming gold medalist Ryan Berube 
