wo starts and had 19 tackles and three sacks in helping the Panthers to a third-straight NFC South championship. However, the Panthers drafted Vernon Butl

RIO DE JANEIRO -- Leticia Romero isnt alone at the Rio Games, just close to it.The Florida State guard, who is playing for Spain is one of two current college players in the Olympics. The other is UConn guard Kia Nurse, who has been making headlines for Canada. Neither is a stranger to international competition, but this is the first time for both to be on the grand stage. They are flourishing.The college guards have already helped their countries advance to the quarterfinals and will square off Sunday when Spain faces Canada with second place in the group on the line.While youth has dominated at the pool and gymnastics, its rare to see on the basketball court. The U.S., which is trying for a sixth consecutive gold medal, hasnt had a college player on its roster since 1988 when Vicky Bullett and Bridgette Gordon helped the Americans win gold.For me its a dream coming true, Romero told The Associated Press after Spain clinched a spot in the quarterfinals. At 21 years old, I never thought Id be here in the Olympics. Im very lucky to be here to learn from this team. Its amazing how they play and practice every day, thats going to help me next season when I come back to Florida State again and for the future.The two will meet again on the court when Florida State hosts UConn on Nov. 14 to open up the college basketball season.Playing UConn for me is a great thing, said Romero, who is Spains fourth leading scorer despite playing just 13 minutes a game. Im looking forward to that too, but Im here right now and focused on the Olympics.Romero and Nurse said they dont really know each other off the court, but definitely have a healthy respect for one another. They will be in similar situations next year in college, taking on big leadership roles for their teams. They have been soaking in the ways that the veterans on their Olympic teams have been doing it.I try and learn everything I can from them, said Nurse, who is leading Canada with 11.8 points a game. Incredible leaders and teammates. You get to learn and see your weaknesses exposed all the time. Im an upperclassmen already, which is extremely odd to me. I have to step into a leadership role up there and try and take away from these guys how they do it.Romero said she is trying to watch teammate Laia Palau.Im amazed by how she manages everything, Romero said. How she organizes the team, does everything for the team, makes everyone close to each other. For me coming to Florida State, I want to be that kind of player that can bring everyone together and make everyone a better player.The pair have had a great time away from the court too. They both got to participate in the opening ceremonies, an experience neither will forget.It was crazy, Romero said. I cant even describe it. To be there, just something I always watched on TV and its a dream. I was telling (Florida State coach) Sue Semrau it was like a one-minute walk, that felt like 5 seconds. Watching the people the crowd, my teammates, everybody. All the teams it was overwhelming.Semrau flew down to Rio to watch her point guard play.She is playing with the level of confidence that I havent seen before, Semrau said in a text to the AP. Im excited to see her continue her growth at Florida State and beyond.Romero also got to fulfill another lifelong dream while waiting to enter the stadium, a photo with tennis great Rafael Nadal. This coming a few days after she got a chance to meet Felipe VI the King of Spain.Its a big deal both. But I would rather take a picture with Nadal, she said laughing. 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CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The NFC champion Panthers kept only three of their five draft picks this year, waiving cornerback Zack Sanchez and tight end Beau Sandland to trim their roster to 53 players on Saturday.Sanchez was a fifth-round selection and Sandland a seventh-rounder.Backup guard Chris Scott was placed on the reserve/suspended list after being suspended by the NFL for four games for violating the policy on performance enhancing substances.Also cut were running backs Brandon Wegher and Jalen Simmons, wide receiver Keyarris Garrett, tight ends Eric Wallace and Marcus Lucas, guard David Yankey, defensive ends Larry Webster and Arthur Miley, defensive tackles Kyle Love, Eric Crume and Robert Thomas, linebacker Brian Blechen, cornerback Lou Young and safeties Stevie Brown, Marcus Ball and Travell Dixon.Wide receiver Kevin Norwood, linebacker Ben Jacobs and offensive tackle Jordan Rigsbee were placed on injured reserve.Sanchez becomes the highest-drafted player by fourth-year general manager Dave Gettleman to not make the teams opening-day roster.Sanchez was one of three cornerbacks the Panthers drafted to help fill the void from the departure of All-Pro Josh Norman. But while second-round pick James Bradberry and third-round pick Daryl Worley quickly secured starting roles, Sanchez was relegated to nickel back duty and struggled during the preseason. Bene Benwikere, Robert McClain and Teddy Williams are the other cornerbacks who made the roster ahead of Sanchez, a candidate for the practice squad.The Panthers kept Scott Simonson as their third tight over Sandland, who didnt make many plays in the preseason, and Lucas, who caught two touchdown passes from Joe Webb in the teams third preseason game against the New England Patriots.The Panthers deecided to keep six wide receivers at their most talented position, with Brenton Bersin and Damiere Byrd both making the list of 53.ddddddddddddNorwood, acquired in a trade last year with Seattle, had been in the running to make the roster but injured his hip in the teams final preseason game.Wegher was a fan favorite at running back, but the Panthers went with Fozzy Whittaker and Cameron Artis-Payne as the backups to Jonathan Stewart.Scotts suspension opened a roster spot for guard Tyler Larsen, who had stints with Miami and Washington last year but has never played in a regular season game.In cutting Love, the Panthers decided to keep five defensive ends and four defensive tackles as ends Ryan Delaire and Wes Horton claimed the last of the defensive line spots.Love played in 15 games last season for the Panthers with two starts and had 19 tackles and three sacks in helping the Panthers to a third-straight NFC South championship. However, the Panthers drafted Vernon Butler in the first round and signed free agent Paul Soliai, making Love expendable.Two undrafted rookie linebackers made the roster: Jeremy Cash from Duke and Jared Norris from Utah. Jacobs had been regular backup and special teams player for the Panthers, but injured his ankle in the preseason.Carolina had signed safety Stevie Smith just last week, but then cut him when it deemed backup Dean Marlowe was healthy enough to play. Marlowe has been plagued by a hamstring injury for much of the preseason.The Panthers open the season Thursday night at Denver in a rematch of last seasons Super Bowl.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '