DOB: 01/09/1981
Height: 5'11"
Weight:170 lbs.
Hometown: North Easton, MA
Residence: Ann Arbor, Michigan
High School: Boston College HS ‘99
College: Southern California ‘05
College Major: International Relations
Coached By: Bob Bowman
Club: Club Wolverine
(He was coached by Bob Bowman at UM before the Beijing but we could not find more accurate information about him. Rumors have circulated that he is retiring again so if anyone has more current information we’d love to hear it.)
Hobbies Outside the Pool: Politics, (he spoke at Republican Ron Paul’s Rally for the Republic back in September), traveling, history, reading
Favorites-
Movie: Braveheart
Music: Hip Hop
TV Show: Lost
Musician: Steve Earl
Sports Team: ANYTHING BOSTON
Accomplishments:
Erik has attended the Olympics three times and is a double silver medalist (2000 and 2004) in the 400m IM. He won his first gold medal in the 800m FR in Beijing by swimming relay.
He has also set various world rankings for the 1500m FR. Vendt has said he feels the 1500m FR is all about "guts, endurance, and heart." He originally started swimming distance events to build up his endurance but never stopped.
Vendt was the first American to break the 15 minute mark in the 1500m FR (that’s a MILE swim, OUCH) with that in mind he was also the NINTH person EVER to break the 15 minute mark as well.
Interesting Tidbits:
He started swimming at age 3 when he was living in Saudi Arabia..
After Athens in 2004 Vendt retired. Two years later while teaching children to swim in New York and while watching the winter games in Torino he found his inspiration again and decided to pack up and moved to Ann Arbor to begin training under the watchful eye of Bob Bowman, swimming with fellow Olympians for Club Wolverine.
Vendt qualified for the 2008 Olympic games in the 4X200m FR which was a surprise in and of itself. He is known to be a distance swimmer but didn’t qualify for his usual events.
Despite his smaller build Erik holds his own in the pool against competitors who have half a foot more height on him. Many attribute this to his smooth stroke which has been perfected with years of training. We respect the fact that he willingly subjected himself to the torturous (but FANTASTIC) training sessions of Mr. Bob Bowman. This just goes to show how dedicated he is to sport. We have love and respect for a man with so much heart. (Even if he may display diva like behavior every once in awhile)
We wish Erik the best of luck in training as well as whatever else he sets his mind to. (Maybe we'll see him in Indy if he comes out of retirement again?)
Female Swimmer: Margaret Hoelzer
DOB: March 30, 1983
Hometown: Huntsville, Alabama
Current Residence: Seattle, Washington
College: Auburn '05
Club: King Aquatic Club
Coached by: Sean Hutchison
College Major: Psychology with a minor in Criminology
Most influential person: her mother
Nickname: Marge
Fave movie: Robin Hood and Spartacus
Fave TV show: Nip/Tuck, America's Next Top Model and Grey's Anatomy
Hobbies outside of the pool: Reading and sleeping
Where we've seen her: Hoelzer has been on the world scene since World Championships in 2003. She was also at the Athens Olympics where she placed fifth in the 200m back final. In Beijing, she brought home a silver in 200m back and 400m IM relay and a bronze in the 100m back. While swimming for Auburn, she was a six time NCAA champion and 22-time All-American.She has been breaking records and taking names since she came onto the world stage and we look forward to see her continue that all the way to Worlds in Roma and all the way to London!
(thanks to USA swimming and NBC Olympics)
Is this possible?