RIO DE JANEIRO -- Drenched with sweat and nearly out of breath, exhilarated American fencer Gerek Meinhardt tried to explain how his mens foil team won an Olympic medal for the first time in 84 years.We feel like we belong here, Meinhardt said.Before Meinhardt could utter another word, teammate Alexander Massialas cut him off.We dont think. We do belong here, Massialas said.It was hard to argue otherwise after the Americans won bronze Friday, the third medal for the U.S. men at the Rio de Janeiro Games. Massialas and Meinhardt led the way as the U.S. defeated Italy 45-31 following a tough loss in the semifinals.Russia won the mens team foil gold, its sixth fencing medal of the Rio Games. Russia rallied from five points down to beat France 45-41, capturing its third gold medal in fencing so far.Massialas and Meinhardt dominated the Italians with a three-match stretch in which they outscored their opponents 20-1. The win was especially sweet for Massialas, whose poor performance in the final moments of his previous match kept his team from fighting for a gold medal.The U.S. began its day with a 45-37 win over Egypt, putting it just a win over Russia away from the final.The Americans had the Russians right where they wanted them, too, up 40-39 and with the top-ranked Massialas set to close the bout.But Alexey Cheremisinov stunned Massialas with a series of quick blows, and the U.S. fell 45-41.I only have my teammates to thank because I was down after that match. It was probably one of the worst team matches Ive ever fenced and I felt like I let my whole team down, Massialas said. There were no droopy heads except for mine. All they did was try to pick my head up.With roughly four hours to kill between bouts, the Americans went on their phones and discovered what they called a series of mean tweets about their performance against the Russians.Instead of bringing them down, Miles Chamley-Watson said the criticism brought the team closer together -- even joking that the haters were motivators.The effort that ultimately led to a medal truly was a team effort.Chamley-Watson fenced about as well as he ever has in the preliminary rounds. Race Imbodens only bout in the Olympics was a win over individual champion Daniele Garozzo in the bronze medal match, and Meinhardt outscored his opponents 13-1 in his final two bouts.And it was only fitting that Massialas, just hours after losing to Russia, would score the 45th and final point.Its more than a medal at this point, Massialas said.While the U.S. womens fencing team broke through in 2004 when Mariel Zagunis won the first of two individual gold medals, the men had yet to do so until the Rio Olympics. The foil team finished fourth four years ago at the London Games.This time, the Americans were able to finally celebrate.They made the most of it, too, jumping into the stands and wrapping themselves in American flags on the piste.For the first time, the U.S.A. is a powerhouse in fencing. It never has been before, Imboden said. For us to come together and have each others backs, it just proves that its not a fluke anymore. Alex Tuch Golden Knights Jersey . At a news conference Tuesday where it was thought that the fiery Schallibaum may be shown the door after a dismal finish to the Major League Soccer season, team president Joey Saputo said no decision has been made on whether the Swiss Volcano will be back in 2014. Jon Merrill Golden Knights Jersey .35 million, one-year contract that avoided salary arbitration. Plouffe batted .254 with 14 home runs and 52 RBIs in 477 at-bats last season, his second as a regular in the lineup. http://www.goldenknightssale.com/authentic-brandon-pirri-golden-knights-jersey/ . Now tied for second in the league in shootout goals, the 24-year-old likes to see what the opposing goaltender has in store before he ultimately lands on a move. William Carrier Jersey . President of baseball operations Larry Beinfest was fired Friday after 12 years with the Marlins. The move came as the team neared the end of its third consecutive last-place season in the NL East. Brayden McNabb Jersey . They were putting most of their energy into a record-setting offensive display. ST. LOUIS -- Kansas State forward D.J. Johnson was not perfect on Saturday night.And that bothered him to no end.Johnson scored 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds and Xavier Sneed added 15 points to lead Kansas State to an?84-53 win over Saint Louis in a non-conference contest.The Wildcats won their second in a row following a 69-68 loss to Maryland on Nov. 26.Saint Louis now has lost four in a row.Johnson dominated inside, hitting his first 10 shots from the field on the way to a 10-for-11 effort. But all he?wanted to talk about after the game was the one miss, a put back that clanked off the glass with 9:20 remaining and the game already decided.I?missed a righty layup, Johnson said. It was right there. That should have been 11?(for 11). Saw the top of the square -- just didnt connect on it.Johnson, who?had?four of the Wildcats?eight?dunks, led an early charge that helped the Wildcats take immediate control as they bolted to leads of?24-13 and 36-21 and never looked back.It was a fun night for us, coach Bruce Weber said. I was happy with?our kids; they were focused.Johnson, who grew up in a St. Louis suburb, posted his second career double-double in front of family and friends.This is a great experience, Johnson said. To do this in front of them, its special.Johnson pumped in a career-high 26 points in the loss to Maryland but spent much of last year at less than 100 percent after breaking his foot in the NCAA Tournament in 2014.Weber says Johnson is now just returning to form.Its been a rough 16 monthhs, but hes fought through it, Weber said.dddddddddddd Hes getting paid back for his efforts.Sneed, also a St. Louis native, hit 4 3-pointers and scored all 15 points in just 15 minutes.Kansas State (2-1) used a 23-9 run over the final 11 minutes?of the?first half to break the game open. The Wildcats jumped out to a 13-5 lead on?back-to-back baskets by Johnson. Sneed sank a pair of 3-pointers midway through the half to pump the lead to?18-10.We kind of got stuck with that deer-in-the-headlights look early in the game, Billikens coach Travis Ford said.Dean Wade added?13 points for Kansas State. Kamau Stokes had seven assists.Davell Roby and Mike Crawford added 10 points each for the Billikens.Were just not playing well together right now, Ford said. Our chemistry is not very good.Jermaine Bishop led Saint Louis with 11 points.BIG PICTURE:Kansas State: The Wildcats have scored 80 or more points in five of seven wins. They have hit seven or more 3-pointers in five games.Johnson passed the 20-point mark for the fourth time in his career, but this was the first time the Wildcats came out on top.Saint Louis: Ford, who coached at Oklahoma State, is 7-10 lifetime against Kansas State.We just couldnt put any runs together, he said.UP NEXT:Kansas State: The Wildcats return home to host Prairie View A&M on Tuesday.Saint Louis: The Billikens hit the road to face Wichita State on Tuesday. ' ' '
