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August 23, 2004 2:18 pm

Rittman part of gold-medal softball team

By STEVE RIVERA

Gannett News Service

ATHENS, Greece - New Mexico State graduate John Rittman is a world champion coach.

His U.S. softball team - he's an assistant coach - beat Australia 5-1 on Monday to win its third gold medal in as many Olympics.

``This is a great honor and a privilege for me to be associated with the world's greatest ball club,'' said Rittman 40, who graduated from New Mexico State University in Las Cruces in 1986. ``It's been a long haul but with it culminating with a gold medal makes me speechless.''

Rittman, a former outfielder for NMSU, is head softball coach at Stanford.

Athens proved to be a bigger success.

``I was fortunate to win a state championship at Mayfield High (in Las Cruces) in baseball,'' he said. ``That was big and to win a championship in anything is special. It takes hard work and dedication, but if you would have told me that I'd be part of the world's greatest softball team and to live this experience has just been phenomenal.''

Team USA surrendered just one run in 56 innings, shutting out opponents for 55 2/3 innings. It scored an Olympic record 51 runs.

``There was a blend of talent, experience and speed,'' Rittman said. ``This team has it all. There are so many ways they can beat you.''

Team USA concluded the Olympics 9-0 and has a 79-game winning streak.

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