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RIO DE JANEIRO -- U.S. fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad came to the Rio Games determined to show the world that Muslim-American women can excel in sports.Muhammad will return home to New Jersey with proof that she was right.Muhammad, who became the first U.S. Olympian to wear a hijab during competition earlier this week, won a bronze medal Saturday along with her teammates in the womens team sabre event.The U.S. routed Italy 45-30 to clinch third place and the first womens medal in fencing for the Americans in Rio.This is sport. It doesnt matter what hair color you have, or what religion you are. The point is to go out there and be the best athlete you can be, said U.S. teammate Dagmara Wozniak. Were the best explanation of what American is. A mix of so many different cultures and races, and everything all together.Muhammad made headlines around the world Monday simply by wearing a head scarf on the piste, adhering to the tenets of her Muslim faith.The attention for the team event was much more focused simply on fencing -- and Muhammad reminded folks why she made the Olympic team in the first place.This has been a long journey for us, Muhammad said. To be able to compete at the level that weve worked toward, on the worlds biggest stage, the Olympic Games, is truly a blessing for us. ... Ill never forget this moment.The Americans opened against Poland, blowing an 11-point lead before two-time Olympic champion Mariel Zagunis got the U.S. through with a deft torso touch for the win.Russia won the first four of the nine-bout semifinals to go ahead 20-12, but Muhammad slowed Russias momentum with a narrow victory over second-ranked Yana Egorian.After Zagunis picked up another win, Muhammad had by far her best moment of the Olympics.Muhammad peppered Ekaterina Dyachenko with touch after touch, 10 in all, until the U.S. found itself with an improbable 35-34 edge.Our plan was that, no matter what happened, to just focus on these four voices, said Muhammad said of teammates Zagunis, Wozniak and Monica Aksamit. We were only listening to each other, and I just kept hearing `Just get one. Just get one.But Sofia Velikaya pulled the Russians back in front with six straight points, a margin even Zagunis was unable to overcome.Still, the U.S. team had yet to medal in a tournament all season.The Americans seized their chance to do so in Rio.The U.S. built a 25-15 lead after five matches, and Zagunis -- who declined to speculate on her future in the immediate aftermath of her fourth straight Olympics -- made that edge insurmountable.Chicago White Sox Gear . -- Arizona raced out to a big lead and did not back off, hitting the accelerator instead. Wholesale White Sox Jerseys . Inter president Erick Thohir says in a club statement on Wednesday that Vidic is "one of the worlds best defenders and his qualities, international pedigree, and charisma will be an asset. https://www.cheapwhitesox.com/ . Hamelin, who triumphed in the 500 on Saturday, edged out Victor An of Russia by 0.021 seconds to maintain his lead in the World Cup standings. Russias Vladimir Grigorev was third. In the relay, Canada took control six laps from the finish line to beat Russia and the Netherlands. Chicago White Sox Store . NBA officials ruled the court unplayable in the Bucks final exhibition game on Oct. 25 because players were slipping, and the game was cancelled midway through the first period. White Sox Jerseys 2019 .Y. -- Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo had little trouble picking up his first shutout of the season against a Buffalo Sabres team thats having trouble scoring goals.ATLANTA -- Justin Thomas is still a bit miffed about last season.He doesnt want to go through it again, thats for sure.Its no fun, said Georgia Techs senior quarterback. Im pretty sure a lot of us never experienced anything like that before. It was a learning experience. You cant take winning for granted.A year ago, Thomas was still riding high after leading the Yellow Jackets to a spot in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game and an Orange Bowl victory over Mississippi State. He was being touted as one of the most dynamic players in the country, an undersized but unique talent in coach Paul Johnsons option offense.Some pundits were even throwing around the idea of Thomas contending for the Heisman Trophy.That all fell apart when Georgia Tech collapsed to a 3-9 record, its worst mark in more than two decades. The Yellow Jackets managed only one win in the ACC, a stunning upset of Florida State that showed the teams tantalizing potential but did little to ease the sting of such a disappointing year.Now, heading into his final season, Thomas is determined to go out with a more worthy showing. The Yellow Jackets open the season Saturday against ACC rival Boston College in Dublin, Ireland, which marks the first trip out of the country for the quarterback and many of his teammates.This isnt a sightseeing trip, however.Im ready to go. Im ready to play, Thomas said, his voice rising. That wasnt no fluke (in 2014). What you saw two years ago is who I am. I plan on showing that again.His teammates have sure noticed a difference in the signal-caller, who had always been a bit soft-spoken, preferring to let his performance on the field do his talking.Not any longer.Its almost shocking, receiver Ricky Jeune said. Hes such a mellow dude. But its nice seeing JT step up, and really speak up and getting the team together. Hes always been pushing me, but now Im like, `All right, Ive definitely got to do this because Justins going to be on my case.Surrounded last season by inexperienced players at running back and receiver, and plagued by a leaky offensive line that didnt provide much protection, Thomass looked like a one-man show at times.dddddddddddd He took the weight of the team on his shoulders, his bravery and toughness never in question but the results a far cry from the previous year.We had a lot of new faces on the team, he said. At the same time, they didnt know what to expect. They were coming to this big, hyped team. They thought it came easy. Now we know we have to go back to the lab.Thomas rushing yards plunged from 1,086 to 488, while his average per carry dipped from 5.7 to 3.4. While passing was never his forte in the run-oriented offense, there was a dramatic drop-off as his completion percentage went from 51.3 to 41.7. His yards and touchdowns through the air also took a downward turn. His interceptions went up.When things in front of him broke down, which happened often, he often resorted to hurried, desperation throws that had little chance of being caught, at least by the Yellow Jackets.Thats been a focus during the offseason.Just trying to stay calm in the pocket, Thomas said. Not be so antsy.Of course, the Yellow Jackets are known for their running game.Thomas expects the triple-option to return to its devastating form, now that he can rely on myriad players with a year under their belts. Plus, the Yellow Jackets have added some new weapons on offense. B-back Dedrick Mills will be the first true freshman to start his first game at Georgia Tech since 2008, Johnsons debut season as coach. Former Georgia running back J.J. Green, who sat out last season after transferring to the Yellow Jackets, figures to get plenty of playing time at A-back.Everybodys locked in, Thomas said. Theres no questions or hesitation. Everybody is playing fast. At this point last year, we were still learning. Now were not. Were just going out there and playing and having fun.---Follow Paul Newberry on Twitter at www.twitter.com/pnewberry1963 . His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/paul-newberry .---AP College Football website: www.collegefootball.ap.org ' ' '