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| The FIBA Americas Championship, August 9-16 in Edmonton, Canada, is our next step to qualify for the 2016 Summer Olympics |
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| Our goal is to be one of the top 2 teams in Group A, in order to at least advance to the tournament's semi-final game, and guarantee a spot in another Olympic qualifying tournament. If we win the championship we are automatically in the Olympics! |
Our first step is to compete in the FIBA Americas Championship, August 9-16 in Edmonton, Canada. We had a tough draw in Group A, where we will be play against the host Canada, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic. Canada has qualified for the Olympics 5 times, won silver at the 2013 FIBA Americas Championship, and placed 5th at the 2014 FIBA World Championship. Cuba has qualified for the Olympics 4 times and won the Americas Championship in 2013. Chile has never qualified for the Olympics, and is ranked 26th in the world. On paper we are an underdog...but I believe! I believe in a God who can do the impossible. I believe in my teammates and coaches. I believe in our country, our family, and our support. I BELIEVE THAT WE WILL WIN!
We will play all the teams in our group, and then the top 2 teams from each group will advance to the semi-final games. The winners from the semi-final advance to the championship, and the winner gets an automatic bid to the Olympics! If we end up getting 2nd-4th, we advance to the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament, which will be held in mid-June of 2016. This tournament will have a total of 12 teams from various continents, and the top 5 at that tournament earn a spot for the Olympics! The image with the black background below outlines this qualification process.
As we prepare for Edmonton in mid-August, we are practicing twice and day and playing games in Chile and Brasil. We will host Ecuador for 4 games in different cities in Chile July 17, 18, 19, and 20th. On July 25th we fly to Brazil for a week and play against Brazil, Venezuela, and Colombia. I've been asked several times how I feel about's Chile's chances to qualify for the Olympics. My only experience thus far with my team has been in Miami, where we played against US competition that I know very well! But I haven't had a chance to play against other countries, so I don't know how we are advancing compared to our competition. These games in July against teams from the Group B will be a great opportunity for me to get my feet wet with the types of teams we will encounter at the FIBA Americas tournament in Edmonton. Ultimately, to me it doesn't matter who our competition is. What matters is that our team comes together, we become our best, and we peak at the right time. I'm excited for our potential to do great things and shock the world!
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| Our eyes are on the prize, RIO 2016!! |
Refreshed and Ready to Hit It Hard Again!
I had an unexpected blessing in this journey. I was able to go home for a week and a half while the team was on break! It was revitalizing to see Josh, my parents, Guillermo, friends, and coworkers. I feel as if I've refilled my ammo, and I'm ready to get after it in the last 32 days before we compete in Canada. Thank YOU for your support!! |
| While at home I did some high altitude training by climbing La Plata Peak (14,336 feet) with Josh and Nate Dog |
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| Thankful for the man, family, and friends that support me! Thank you Vaughan & Walker Photography for the pics and videos! |
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