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Pan Am's international success stories bode well for Rio Games

Laura Zeng of the United States competes in  the rhythmic gymnastics ball finals.  (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Laura Zeng of the United States competes in the rhythmic gymnastics ball finals. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Deservedly so, Canadian athletes garnered most of the attention at the 2015 Pan Am Games.

Not only were the Games on home soil, but there were some memorable performances like Ellie Black’s five gymnastics medals, Andre De Grasse’s dominance on the track, a bizarre walk-off men’s baseball gold and the women’s basketball team taking it all.

Yes, Canadians did just fine over the past two and a half weeks.

But they weren’t the only ones.

Athletes from other countries had their share of great moments too, ones that could provide a harbinger of things to come at the Rio Olympics in a year.

Laura Zeng, United States, rhythmic gymnastics

While Ellie Black cleaned up in artistic gymnastics, it was a woman from south of the border that dominated in the rhythmic portion. Laura Zeng not only won the all-around individual component, she did so by claiming all four events – hoop, ball and clubs and ribbon. Now that’s something.

Allison Schmitt, United States, swimming

Most top American swimmers passed on the Pan Am Games with the world championships right around the corner. Allison Schmitt did not. And that choice proved to be fruitful. The six-time Olympic medallist added four Pan Am Games medals to her collection after winning gold in the 200-metre freestyle, the 4x100 medley and 4x200 freestyle – all Games records – plus a silver in the 4x100 free. As long as she has enough gas left in the tank, Schmitt should do just fine in Kazan, Russia.

Caitlin Leverenz, United States, swimming

Two gold medals. Two Games records. One queen of the individual medley. Caitlin Leverenz won both the 200- and 400-metre individual medley races, establishing two new Pan Am marks in the process. The 24-year-old American already has a 200-metre IM Olympic bronze medal from London three years ago and appears to be on the right track towards improving on that in 2016.

Natalie Coughlin, United States, swimming

That Natalie Coughlin took home four medals from the Games shouldn’t come as a surprise. After all, this is someone with 12 Olympic medals on her resume and 20 more from the long-track championships. So the 32-year-old did what was expected of her. She won gold in the 4x100-metre medley, silvers in the 100m freestyle and 4x100 free and bronze in the 50m free.

Rommel Pacheco, Mexico, diving

Rommel Pacheco owned the three-metre springboard in men’s diving. First, the Mexican claimed the individual event by 41.20 points and then he and partner Jahir Ocampo bested Canadian pair Philippe Gagne and Francois Unbeau-Dulac by 24.90 points in the synchronized event. Having just turned 29, Pacheco will likely compete at his third and final Olympics in Rio. He’s in search of his first medal.

Paola Espinosa, Mexico, diving

Canada would have added to its impressive gold-medal haul if not for Paola Espinosa. Espinosa won two gold medals at the Pan Ams, each time knocking Canada off the top of the podium. She finished first in the 10-metre platform, beating Canadians Roseline Filion and Meaghan Benfeito, who nabbed silver and bronze. And, alongside partner Dolores Hernandez, Espinosa won the three-metre springboard, edging Jennifer Abel and Pamela Ware by a mere 2.97 points. Throw in a bronze in the 10-metre synchro – won by Filion and Benfeito – and it was a banner Games for the 29-year-old Mexican.

Isaquias Queiroz dos Santos, Brazil, canoeing

Isaquias Queiroz dos Santos won two gold medals in sprint canoeing, knocking off a Canadian competitor both times. Queiroz dos Santos finished ahead of Jason McCoombs in the men’s C-1 200-metre race and knocked off opening ceremony flag-bearer Mark Oldershaw in the 1,000 metres. The 21-year-old Brazilian added a bronze in the C-2 1,000 metres to round out a very successful Pan Ams.

Jorge Garcia, Cuba, kayaking

When it came to the 1,000 metres in men’s flat-water kayaking, Jorge Garcia proved to be unbeatable. Garcia, 27, won the individual race and also teamed up with his Cuban countrymen to claim the top spot in the K2 and K4 races. That could be the right tonic for someone who has yet to win an Olympic medal yet.

Yusmari Mengana, Cuba, kayaking

While Jorge Garcia was the kayaking star on the men’s side, another Cuban ruled the women’s bracket. Yusmari Mengana was the winner of the 200- and 500-metre races and added a third gold medal with the help of Yurieni Guerra in the K2 500 metres. At just 21 years old, Mengana appears to have a bright future ahead of her.

Casey Eichfeld, United States, canoeing

Casey Eichfeld swept the men’s white-water canoeing discipline. The 25-year-old American won the C1 and C2 slalom events – the second with partner Devin McEwan. Eichfeld seems to be peaking at the right time. He’s competed in two previous Olympics and hasn’t finished inside the top 10 yet.