Solomon, Craig to go for the gold in London Thursday

Posted: Aug 8, 2012 11:36 PM by Andrew Masuda
Updated: Aug 8, 2012 11:42 PM

Two Central Coast Olympics will go for the gold on Thursday in London.

Kami Craig and the US women's water polo team are one win away from their first-ever Olympic Gold. Craig and Team USA won a Silver in Beijing. The US is the only country to medal in all four Olympics since women's water polo became an Olympic sport in 2000.

After falling in the Gold Medal Game in 2008, Craig and the US want gold. "It's something that we prepare for and we try to create at practice everyday. And we knew this was going to be a scratch to the top. We've still got one more, one more battle to go," said Craig following Team USA's thrilling 11-9 semifinal win over Australia.

The US plays Spain Thursday for the gold. The 25 year old Santa Barbara High graduate scored four goals against the Spaniards last week in the preliminary round. However, the US blew a three goal lead in the fourth quarter and settled for a 9-9 draw.

The Americans anticipate another challenge from the Spaniards. "We expect it, we train for it and we're ready for it," added Craig, who has scored six goals in London for Team USA.

Lompoc native Duane Solomon, Jr. is in the men's 800 meter final. The first-time Olympian won his first round heat and finished third in his semifinal heat to qualify for the final.

"For me to be on this stage and at the finals it's amazing, it's more than I would have ever dreamed of," said Solomon after his semifinal race.

Solomon has been peaking at the right time. He set a then-personal-best at the US Olympic Trials of 1:44.65 to qualify for London. A few weeks later, he won a race in Monaco with a time of 1:43.44, which was the fifth-fastest time ever run by an American man.

The first Cabrillo High graduate to compete in the Olympics, Solomon is coached by Johnny Gray, the US record holder in the event. Gray earned a bronze medal in 1992 and is the last American man to medal in the 800. He is helping Solomon craft a race plan to challenge world record holder and gold medal favorite David Rudisha of Kenya.

"A lot of people counted me out to make the team and then I come here and make the final. It's a big story for me," said Solomon.

It's a story with one more chapter still to write for both Solomon and Craig.

The 800 meter final is Thursday at 12 pm PDT. NBC will air it during the primetime coverage between 8pm-midnight.

The US women's water polo team plays Spain at 12 pm PDT. It is slated to air on KSBY from 2-3 pm.