Gator Nation in Top 20

After two weeks of competition at the Summer Olympic Games in Beijing it can now be reported; Gator Nation finished in the top 20 for both total medals and gold medals as well.

Gator Nation comes home with 14 medals overall, good enough to tie for 18th place among all nations of the world. The University of Florida appeared to out produce all other schools at least in part because Michael Phelps did not attend college anywhere.

Gator alums combined to win five gold medals, four silvers and five bronze. Gator Nation’s total of five gold medals tied for 14th among all “nations” with Kenya. Interestingly enough, Kenya was the very country which tied Gator Nation with 14 overall medals.

Florida was led by Ryan Lochte who won four medals in Beijing including a pair of gold medals. Ageless swimming star Dara Torres added a trio of silver medals, giving that chlorinated tandem half of the total count for Gator Nation. Former Gator track star Kerron Clement won gold and silver in the 400 hurdles and 4x400 relay. Caroline Burckle added a swimming medal in the 800-meter free relay and track star Novelene Williams-Mills earned a bronze for Jamaica in the 4x400 relay.

Three other Gators earned medals as part of teams that placed in Beijing. Heather Mills picked up gold with the U.S. Soccer team and Delisha Milton-Jones did the same in Women’s basketball. The final Gator medalist was Matt LaPorta who picked up a bronze for the U.S. efforts in baseball.

Gator Nation does not have borders or treaties. But it still made its mark on the international stage in this Olympic Games.