Last Lap

The U.S. women's water polo team, which lost to Australia on a
last-second goal in the Sydney Olympic final, struck gold at the
worlds. Ericka Lorenz scored four times and Ellen Estes added
three goals as the U.S. overcame Italy 8-6 in the final.... U.S.
divers failed to win a medal in Barcelona. In the team's best
finish, Laura Wilkinson, the Olympic 10-meter champ, and Brittany
Viola placed fourth in synchronized platform. Brittany was born
in 1987, the same year her father, Frank, was named MVP of the
World Series while pitching for the Minnesota Twins.... Bedridden
for most of the week with a 102° fever, Natalie Coughlin, the new
queen of U.S. swimming, won just two relay medals in Barcelona: a
gold on the 4x100-meter freestyle team and a silver as the
backstroke leg in the 4x100-meter medley.... Aaron and Hayley
Peirsol became the first siblings to win individual event medals
for the U.S. at the same worlds or Olympics when, less than 30
minutes apart, Aaron won the 100-meter backstroke and Hayley took
a surprise silver in the 1,500 freestyle.

COLOR PHOTO: SIMON BRUTY Wilkinson (left) and Viola