Guadalajara: From the first gold right up until the end, the United States was in the mix for medals at the Pan American Games.
The Americans won the very first gold of the 16-day multi-sport event when Heather Irmiger claimed the title in women's mountain biking. They didn't get a gold on the final day, but they did earn two bronze medals in Sunday's three events.
"Our whole goal was to reach the podium. That's what the USOC [United States Olympic Committee] wanted," United States rugby sevens coach Al Caravelli said. "We would have liked for it to be higher than bronze, but for our first outing — for some of these younger players — they did an outstanding job."
In the medals table, the US finished way out ahead with 92 gold and 236 overall. Cuba, which came on strong in the second week of competition, ended up in second place with 58 gold and 136 overall, while Brazil was third with 48 gold and 141 overall.
Brazil's final gold medal came on the last day of competition when Solonei Silva won the men's marathon.
Silva, who had been working as a garbage man until two years ago, won the race in 2 hours, 16 minutes, 37 seconds. Colombian team-mates Diego Colorado and Juan Cardona took silver and bronze.
"I won this medal through sacrifice and a four-month preparation," Silva said.
Men's basketball
The Americans got their first bronze of the day in men's basketball, beating the Dominican Republic 94-92.
"We came here and we got a medal, that was one of our goals," said United States forward Lance Thomas, who scored a team-high 14 points.
