PAN AMERICAN GAMES Disappointments plague many U.S. athletes

Cuban wrestlers swept seven classes; the basketball team lost a nail-biter.
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) -- Rulon Gardner left the steamy Greco-Roman wrestling arena without gold. Andre Barrett lay devastated on the basketball floor after missing the potential game-winner at the buzzer.
The second day of the Pan American Games on Sunday spelled disappointment for many U.S. athletes.
Cuba swept all seven finals in wrestling, including Mijian Lopez's 5-0 victory over the gigantic Gardner, the 2000 Olympic heavyweight champion who's coming back from a snowmobiling accident in 2002 that resulted in the amputation of a toe.
"It's always a disappointment," Gardner said. "We want to come here as a team and represent our nation. The Cubans came here and won every weight class.
"But the way we look at it, the disappointment now breeds success in the future."
Shutout streak
It was the third time Lopez beat Gardner this year, all by shutouts.
"I feel very good beating Gardner," the 20-year-old Lopez said. "I'm in optimal condition and I feel I am one of the best in the world."
Barrett missed an off-balance jump shot as the clock expired and the U.S. team lost 86-85 to Puerto Rico a night after rallying to beat Argentina 80-79.
The win was a big one for the Puerto Ricans (2-0), who can clinch first place in their group with a victory over Argentina today. The United States must beat Uruguay to advance to the semifinals.
"We must toughen up defensively," said Brandon Mouton of Texas, who scored nine points. "We have to come out blazing."
Two-time Olympian Lance Bade hit all 25 shots in the final round Sunday to edge Rodrigo Bastos of Brazil for the men's trap shooting title. He finished with 147 points, one more than Bastos.
"I was just reading the targets right," Bade said. "I had a feeling about where it would be coming and I read it dead on."
It was the second shooting gold medal in two days for the men's squad.
Gymnasts take gold
The U.S. women gymnasts received a congratulatory call Sunday morning from President Bush after becoming the first Americans to win gold Saturday.
"Good morning champs," Bush said. "I hope you're feeling as good as you should this morning. Congratulations on your individual and team efforts.
"We're extremely proud of you, and the entire U.S. team at the Pan American Games. We're really proud of what you all stand for. You compete with the highest standards and represent the United States with class and dignity. Congratulations on a great job."
The U.S. men's water polo team defeated Brazil 17-5, giving American assistant coach Ricardo Azevedo a victory against his former team. He was on the Brazilian national team from 1972-1980 before coming to the United States to coach and compete.
The Americans are 2-0, outscoring their opponents 31-5.
"This team has been working so hard," U.S. coach Ratko Rudic said. "We have 13 players out here that can play at such a high level. Tournaments like this are so important, because we can do so much more and use it for our preparations. We may also be the best prepared and best conditioned team in the tournament."
One day after losing a fourth straight game to Cuba, the U.S. women's basketball bounced back to beat Canada 56-53.
The U.S. baseball team got its 24th consecutive victory with a 12-0, seven-inning win over the Bahamas.
Mario Vasquez Rana, president of the Pan American Sports Organization, was hospitalized Sunday with pneumonia. Physicians said he was in good condition and should be able to resume work in a few days.
U.S. gymnast Sho Nakamori, who broke his leg Saturday in warmups for the men's team competition, underwent successful surgery in Miami on Sunday.