Johnston Latest in Long Line of Santa Clara Olympians

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Santa Clara University has been well represented at the Olympics, and even more so in recent years.

Former standout Julie Johnston, a three-time All-American, is playing in her first Games with the U.S. women's soccer team in Rio de Janeiro. She is the fifth Santa Clara women's soccer player to compete and is looking to become the fourth Gold medalist.

U.S. Women's Soccer Games in Rio

Johnston, who plays for the Chicago Red Stars in the National Women's Soccer League, is Santa Clara's seventh participant in the last nine Summer Games.

Jerry Smith, Santa Clara's head women's soccer coach, thinks Johnston may be the next great U.S. player.

Brandi Chastain, a volunteer assistant for the Broncos, helped women's soccer bring home Gold in 1996 and Aly Wagner did the same in 2004 and 2008. In 2000, Chastain, Nikki Serlenga, and Danielle Slaton won Silver with women's soccer.

Slaton, who serves as the director of Smith's Coaching for Life Academy, is also in Rio de Janeiro. She is serving as a women's soccer sideline reporter for NBC broadcasts.

Kelly Mitchell, recently inducted into the Santa Clara Hall of Fame, won Silver at the 1984 games with women's rowing. Mitchell was also awarded a Congressional Gold medal for the boycotted 1980 games.

In all, former Broncos have brought home three Gold medals and four Silver medals.

Steve Nash is the lone Bronco to participate for a country other than the U.S. In 2000, he helped Canada qualify for the first time in 12 years.

Current Santa Clara men's soccer head coach Cameron Rast played for the U.S. national team at the 1992 Games.

Matthew Madigan coached women's rowing double sculls for the U.S. in 2000 and is the only former Bronco to coach at the Games.