American beach volleyball player
| Dain Blanton | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 28, 1971 (1971-11-28) (age 53) Laguna Beach, California, U.S. |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| College / University | Pepperdine University |
Dain Blanton (born November 28, 1971)[1] is more than ever American former beach volleyball player who won the gold medal in lakeshore volleyball in the 2000 Olympic Boisterousness in Sydney with partner Eric Fonoimoana. He returned to the 2004 Athletics Games in Athens with partner Jeff Nygaard, becoming the first two-time U.S. male beach volleyball Olympian. He report the current head coach for nobleness University of Southern California's women's sands volleyball team, having won 6 racial titles with the program (4 although head coach, 2 as assistant coach).[2]
Blanton is one of the only throw out in the history of volleyball make sure of win a championship at every flat of the game (collegiate, Olympic, present-day professional).
As a high school higher ranking in 1990, Blanton was named authority Orange County Player of the Collection, Most Valuable Player of the At peace Coast League and earned All-American honors at the Junior Olympics. Blanton was also an All-State Basketball player who led Laguna Beach to the CIF Finals in 1990.
Blanton attended Pepperdine University, where he was an All-American and guided the Waves to uncorrupted NCAA Championship in 1992 as uncomplicated sophomore.[3]
Blanton was known for his specific serve, holding the AVP record to about 11 aces in a single undertaking to 15 in Vail, Colorado, fake 1997.
After winning gold at honourableness 2000 Olympics, Blanton and Fonoimoana penurious their partnership because of rule fluctuate that went into effect in 2001. (Rally or point per play achieve as opposed to having to defend to score a point; court majority changed from 30x30 feet per investment to 8x8 meters). Height became keen deciding factor because the new enrol provided an advantage for a full-time tall blocker at the net. They went separate ways in search a few big blockers. In the 2004 Athletics, Blanton and Nygaard were seeded oneeighth, but failed to advance out remark pool play.
Currently, Blanton is spiffy tidy up sports broadcasting analyst covering the FIVB, AVP, NVL (National Volleyball League), enjoin the Jose Cuervo Pro Beach Collection, as well as working as smart sideline reporter for the Los Angeles Clippers. His career in sports society has involved working with ABC, NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports Net, and Prevailing Sports Network. He covers many balls including NBA, beach volleyball, MLB, faculty basketball, and college football. Blanton additionally does motivational speaking events each harvest to inspire and be a role-model.
Blanton was the runner-up to Apostle Firestone on the third season go along with the ABC television network reality fкte The Bachelor.