U.S. beach volleyball squads are finalized

The American lineup for the Olympic beach volleyball tournament is set.

Nicole Branagh and Elaine Youngs finished second in the Moscow Grand Slam over the weekend to earn enough points to clinch the second American women's berth for the Beijing Games.

Jake Gibb and Sean Rosenthal also clinched an Olympic berth despite losing in the first round in Moscow.

Reigning gold medalists Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor qualified long ago, as did the top U.S. men's team of Todd Rogers and Phil Dalhausser. Each country is limited to two, two-person teams; points are awarded based on the top eight international finishes in the 2007 and '08 seasons.

Fresh faces spice U.S. swim team

OMAHA, Neb. -- Elizabeth Beisel emerged as a rising star at the U.S. trials, earning a trip to her first Olympics at 15. Garrett Weber-Gale assumed the sprint legacy left behind by Gary Hall Jr. Then there's Megan Jendrick, back in the swim of things eight years after winning gold as a teenager.

They are among the fresh faces joining Michael Phelps, Katie Hoff, Natalie Coughlin and Ryan Lochte in the pool at the Beijing Olympics.

Beisel, for one, still can't quite believe it. The teenager from Saunderstown, R.I., earned spots in the 200-meter backstroke and 400 individual medley just two years removed from being on the national 'B' team, a step below the big-time.

"It's pretty cool being the rookie," Beisel said. "There are so many veterans here that will help me out with nerves and stuff. I was not expecting this. I've been dreaming of this since I was a little girl and now that it's true and I'm up here with these guys, it's pretty sweet."

-- From Wire Reports