Going For the Bronze...

I think that almost every kid, sometime in their life, wants to be an astronaut (especially kids in Huntsville) or President or win the Olympics. Right now, all three lofty goals are touching Huntsville children and they can see for themselves that dreams can come true and aren't really that far away--if you work hard enough. Margaret Hoelzer, daughter of Elizabeth Warren Hoelzer, is one such kid with a dream. She's swimming in her second Olympics and Monday night won the bronze medal for the 100 backstroke.

In a 2004 phone interview, Hoelzer told me that she started swimming when she was five years old "because her older sister, Martha, did." She practices 20-25 hours a week and says that it's not boring because even during practice she's "racing against her teammates because they're all good swimmers" and she has to stay alert. Margaret's sense of humor comes through and she is known for wearing fuzzy house slippers on deck before a race.

Hoelzer graduated from Huntsville High School and Auburn University, where she majored in Psychology, minored in Criminology. She is using her celebrity status to do some charity work with abused children in Huntsville. Margaret now resides in Seattle.

It's great to see someone from your hometown make good and Margaret deserves the reward of all her hard work. You go, girl!
Join the Discussion: Have you ever wanted to participate in the Olympics?