The biggest narrative of the Olympics so far -- not related to doping, cupping or tweeting dramatic before-and-after pictures of the Slimer-colored diving pool -- is the story of American female excellence.From Day 1, when Ginny Thrasher lived up to her name by wrecking the air rifle competition, the U.S. women have steamrolled these Games. The countrys gymnasts have soared higher, its swimmers have stroked faster and one of its road cyclists ... won the time trial by several seconds.Now, as the first full week of competition wraps up, its the track athletes turn to take a (hopefully literal) victory lap in Rio. At a press conference on Wednesday, Brittney Beast Reese, a laidback long jumper who won gold in London, said shes enjoyed watching the American women steal peoples souls this week.Its been intimidating, Reese admitted. But its great to see the women dominate like we did four years ago. I feel like track will go in and handle business the same way.The U.S. squad, which is teeming with more favorites than a timely, well-crafted tweet, appears poised to replicate the success of the 2012 Games. That year, the women won six gold medals. According to the 2016 world rankings released last month by the IAAF, theres at least one American woman ranked in the top three of 12 Olympic track events. U.S. runners posted multiple world-beating times at the Olympic track and field trials in Eugene, Oregon, this summer.Americas womens gymnastics team was eventually christened The Final Five. Perhaps we should call the American female track stars the Scintillating Sixty-Five. Or dont. Seriously, dont.Reese, the long jumper, seems like a sure bet to win gold next week. In addition to finishing first in London, shes taken three world championships, most recently in 2013. The U.S. track teams marketing person introduced her as a human wind chime because shes won so much hardware. After suffering an injury in 2013, Reese bounced back big time, jumping 7.31 meters at the trials -- the longest distance posted by anyone since 2004.When asked if she felt any pressure, Reese scoffed, flicking away the question like so many languid mosquitos. I know what Im capable of, she said. If I go out there and do what Im supposed to do, everything else will fall into place.Allyson Felix, another 2012 gold medalist, confessed that shes still a little heartbroken over missing the cut for the 200-meter sprint since she won the event in the last go-round. Itll be tough for me to watch, she said.But Felix is favored by gamblers -- yes, you can bet on Olympic track and field -- to win the 400m race after she posted the second-best time in the world in Oregon after recovering from an injury.I feel a lot better than at the trials, said Felix, who is eerily modest for a woman who could overtake Jackie Joyner-Kersee as the most decorated female Olympian in U.S. track history (theyre currently tied at six medals apiece). I feel confident that Ill be close to my best.Medaling opportunities abound. While Jamaicas Elaine Thompson is favored to take the 100m race, a trio of Americans in English Gardner, Tianna Bartoletta and Tori Bowie barely lagged behind her this year.All three women will probably race in the 4x100 relay, which America has a solid chance of winning next week. The U.S. women are also likely to take gold in the 4x400 relay, which Felix might be a factor in, but the rosters arent set until last minute.Nineties babies Brianna Rollins and Dalilah Muhammad, both first-time Olympians, own the worlds top times in the 100m and 400m hurdles this year. Jenn Suhr, the worlds reigning pole vault champion, recently broke her own record in the event. The U.S. has a high jumper, a shot putter and a hammer thrower who could easily medal, or perhaps form some sort of crime-fighting unit. Simply put, this team is stacked.And then theres the delightfully confident Reese, who said her goal is to accomplish three in one. Translation: she wants to win the Games, shatter the Olympic record, and break the world record.Thats something Im gunning for, Reese said.No big deal, right? Jason Taylor Youth Jersey . JOHNS, N. Christian Wilkins Youth 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. http://www.authenticdolphinspro.com/Michael-deiter-dolphins-jersey/ . Marincin has played in two NHL games so far this season with two penalty minutes. The 21-year-old has three goals, four assists and a plus-5 rating in 24 games with the American Hockey Leagues Oklahoma City Barons this season. Durham Smythe Womens Jersey . Traditional contenders Brazil, Greece and Turkey drew the other three spots to complete the 24-team field for this summers tournament in Spain, basketball governing body FIBA announced Saturday at its meeting in Barcelona. Mike Gesicki Womens Jersey . The giant slalom world champion slipped during her first run in the morning, landing on her back and then twisting forward before getting her leg caught in the protective material on the side of the slope. COLUMBUS, Ohio -- When All-American forward AJa Wilson struggled to score and got saddled with fouls early in the third quarter, South Carolinas newest players came to the rescue.Transfer guards Kaela Davis and Allisha Gray combined for 61 points in their debuts and the No. 7 Gamecocks opened their season by defeating seventh-ranked Ohio State 92-80 on Monday.Davis, a two-time All-ACC selection and the conferences leading scorer in 2014-15 for Georgia Tech before transferring and sitting out last season, had 37 points. She scored seven points to help the Gamecocks go from a two-point lead to a 64-56 advantage in the third quarter.Sitting out a year was tough but we were excited to come in and play such a good team as Ohio State she said. To be able to get a win is a great start for us and me.Gray, a transfer from North Carolina, added 24 points for the Gamecocks, who beat the Buckeyes 88-80 at home to open last season. Alaina Coates had 10 points and 13 reboundsThe wait was worth it, Gray said. Its a great feeling to be back.Kelsey Mitchell led Ohio State (1-1) with 27 points despite picking up two fouls in the first quarter. Sierra Calhoun had 18 points and Shayla Cooper 15.Our defense wasnt up to par, Ohio State coach Kevin McGuff said. When you play a great team like South Carolina, if youre not going to defend youre not going to win.The Gamecocks did their damage despite Wilson scoring only five points. She picked up her third foul with 5:10 remaining in the third and the Gamecocks up 52-48, but she remained in the game only to exit 40 seconds later on her fourth foul.Her absence paveed the way for Davis and Gray, who had 22 and 14 points in the second half, respectively.dddddddddddd.With Wilson getting in foul trouble early that made it difficult to get the ball inside, Gray said. It was one of those games we had to apply ourselves and maybe take certain shots we wouldnt take in other games.NO SOLACEMitchell took no satisfaction in limiting Wilson to 11 points below her season average last season, I dont know how much you can talk about that because they still won and we didnt do good on defense.NOT SO FASTThe tempo was slower than what the teams displayed in their last meeting, in part because 51 fouls (29 to Ohio State) ruined the rhythm. Compared to last years game, that was like watching paint dry, South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said.TIP-INSSouth Carolina: The Gamecocks began their 43rd season and the ninth under Staley. They are 31-12 in openers, including 9-9 on the road. ... South Carolina is one of two teams (UConn the other) to appear in every AP top five since the start of the 2014-15 season.Ohio State: It was a busy night in Value City Arena. The OSU men played North Carolina Central University three hours after the womens game started at 6 p.m. ET. This was the womens first game in the building this season after playing Duquesne in nearby St. John Arena.UP NEXTSouth Carolina: The Gamecocks host Hampton on Sunday to start a three-game homestand.Ohio State: The third of four straight home games is Wednesday vs. Cleveland State. ' ' '