Thursday, August 12, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

LOCAL OLYMPIANS: LORI HARRIGAN

By MARK ANDERSON
REVIEW-JOURNAL

Former UNLV pitching star Lori Harrigan will be attempting to win her third gold medal as a member of the U.S. softball team. Photo by Craig L. Moran.

Going to the Olympics is emotional enough. Considering the Athens Games represent the end to a fantastic international softball career, the emotions are even higher for Lori Harrigan.

"It's actually added (emotionally) to the whole year on tour," said Harrigan, 33. "There are different things you experience, like your last moments at the Olympic Training Center and the last moments playing with your Olympic teammates."

Harrigan, a pitcher for the United States, will go for her third Olympic gold medal. She is one of four players on the team playing in her third Olympics.

Another gold would cap a career that included two College World Series appearances while playing at UNLV from 1989 to 1992.

After these games, Harrigan will concentrate full time on her job as a security supervisor at the Bellagio.

"I've definitely been blessed with the talent to go out and play my game and to happen to have a spot in the Olympics, so I couldn't ask for more out of my career," Harrigan said.