A Hamm-less Olympics—A Lesson in Humility

In the world of gymnastics Morgan and Paul Hamm are known for being fierce competitors. The twin brothers from Wisconsin are former world and Olympic champions and both are considered legends in the sport. However, you won’t be seeing either tumbling for gold in Beijing this week. Not because they didn’t qualify to compete, rather they will be watching the Games from their home just outside of Milwaukee because they possess a trait most of us could (and should) exercise more—humility. Three days ago a teary eyed Morgan Hamm officially announced that the bone spurs digging into his left leg … Continue reading →

Olympic News: Dana Torres is Going to Beijing

Dana Torres is a swimmer. She participated in the swimming trials for the U.S. Olympic team in Nebraska over the weekend, securing not only her place on the Olympic swim team, but setting a new American record in the 50-meter freestyle. So Who is Dana Torres? Flashback to 1984 when Dana, then just 16 years old competed in the Los Angeles Olympic Games and winning a gold medal in the 4×100 freestyle relay. In 1988, she competed in the Seoul Olympics where she earned a silver and a bronze medal. Torres initially retired in 1989, but then dove back into … Continue reading →

Mom Fitness: So Moms, What Do You Think?

Newsweek features an interesting article this week that found moms who have kids are not necessarily happier. In fact, it showed that stay at home moms and moms who work have a lot of things in common when it comes to what makes them happy. According to the list, the top things that made moms happy were: Taking a bubble bath alone Working out and going on a family holiday tied Receiving a massage or a romantic date with a spouse tied Playing with the kids or downtime by herself tied Sleeping What was interesting is that both SAHMs and … Continue reading →

Laura Wilkinson (2008 Diving Hopeful)

Welcome to our Focus on the Olympics articles that introduces you to our Olympic athletes and hopefuls that will be competing in Beijing this summer. Before every dive, Laura recites ”I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.” from Philippians 4:13. Meet Laura Wilkinson Laura Wilkinson was a gymnast until age 13 when a sudden growth spurt made her too tall for the sport and she switched to diving. An eight-time All-American, she dove for the University of Texas but decided to forego her final year of eligibility to turn professional. In December 2001, she graduated with a … Continue reading →

Ariel Rittenhouse (2008 Diving Hopeful)

Welcome to our Focus on the Olympics articles that introduces you to our Olympic athletes and hopefuls that will be competing in Beijing this summer. She enjoys reading, dancing, surfing and going to the beach in her spare time. Meet Ariel Rittenhouse Ariel Rittenhouse comes from a family of accomplished athletes. Her mother, Sharon Finneran Rittenhouse, won a silver medal in the 400m individual medley at the 1964 Olympic Games and is a member of the International Swimming Hall of Fame. Her uncle, Michael Finneran, was a diver in the 1972 Olympic Games and her grandmother, Carolyn Finneran, was team … Continue reading →

Thomas Finchum (2008 Diving Hopeful)

Welcome to our Focus on the Olympics articles that introduces you to our Olympic athletes and hopefuls that will be competing in Beijing this summer. As a child, Thomas’ grandmother (a former city parks diver) noticed him jumping off houseboats on family trips and encouraged his parents to sign him up for diving lessons Meet Thomas Finchum Thomas Finchum is the son of Thomas and Audrey Finchum. He comes from a family of athletes: his dad is a high school athletic director and coach, and his brother, Luke, was a catcher on the baseball team at Concordia University Wisconsin. His … Continue reading →

Haley Ishimatsu (2008 Diving Hopeful)

Welcome to our Focus on the Olympics articles that introduces you to our Olympic athletes and hopefuls that will be competing in Beijing this summer. Haley established herself as an international force in diving when she won 2 Pan American Games medals in diving at the age of 15. Meet Haley Ishimatsu Haley Dyan Ishimatsu is the daughter of Carol and Mark Ishimatsu. She has one sister, Tory, who is also a diver. She now trains four and a half hours a day, six days a week. Aside from diving, she has also participated in gymnastics and rock climbing. She … Continue reading →

Troy Dumais (2008 Diving Hopeful)

Welcome to our Focus on the Olympics articles that introduces you to our Olympic athletes and hopefuls that will be competing in Beijing this summer. Meet Troy Dumais Troy Dumais (pronounced “due-MAY”) is the son of Marc, a former professional French Canadian hockey and tennis player, and Kathleen Dumais. He has three brothers, Justin, Brice and Dwight, and one sister, Leanne. Troy has also played football, hockey, tennis, basketball and baseball. In 2006, he earned his B.S. degree from Texas in Exercise Science and plans to become a physical therapist. Troy has no favorite dives because he loves them all. … Continue reading →

Kelci Bryant (2008 Diving Hopeful)

Welcome to our Focus on the Olympics articles that introduces you to our Olympic athletes and hopefuls that will be competing in Beijing this summer. Meet Kelci Bryant Kelci Bryant is the daughter of Randy and Kathie Bryant. She has two sisters, Katie Beth and Kara, and two brothers, Kevin and Steve. All four of her siblings are or were college athletes; Katie Beth was a five-time national champion diver at University of Miami, Kevin played baseball at Morehead State, Kara swam at Milliken University and Steve plays baseball at Rend Lake College. Kelci has never trained for diving in … Continue reading →

Andrea Nott (2008 Synchronized Swimming Hopeful)

Welcome to our Focus on the Olympics articles that introduces you to our Olympic athletes and hopefuls that will be competing in Beijing. Andrea trained with the U.S. Olympic Team and went to Athens as alternate for the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team. Andrea also suffers from exercised induced asthma. Meet Andrea Nott Andrea’s future career goals include completing a biology degree when she decides to attend college that will enable her to become a teacher or a dermatologist. However, she has postponed her education to obtain her more immediate goal of representing her country in the 2008 Olympic Games. Andrea … Continue reading →