Tag Archives: athletes

Focus on the Olympics: Larsen Jensen (2008 Swimming Hopeful)

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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. Larsen, a 2004 Olympic silver medalist, calls his dad the most influential person in his life because of his toughness and integrity. Meet Larsen Jensen Larsen Jensen is the son of Alan and Barbara Jensen, almond farmers in Bakersfield, California. His mother, Barbara, was a competitive swimmer and his younger sister Lindsey is a diver. He graduated from Mission Viejo High School in 2003. In May 2007, Jensen graduated from the University of Southern California … Continue reading →

Focus on the Olympics: Margaret Hoelzer (2008 Swimming Hopeful)

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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. Margaret cites her mother as the most influential person in her life, as both role model and friend. Meet Margaret Hoelzer Margaret Josephine Hoelzer is the younger daughter of Hans Hoelzer and Elizabeth Livingston. Before swimming, Margaret tried soccer, gymnastics, track and softball. Her older sister, Martha, ran track at both the University of Alabama and University of North Carolina. She is currently working towards earning a graduate degree in sociology from Auburn, where she … Continue reading →

Focus on the Olympics: Jessica Hardy (2008 Swimming Hopeful)

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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. Jessica is a great girl who may be relatively new to the world of competitive swimming, but she comes by it honestly: her mother was a swimmer, too. Meet Jessica Hardy Jessica Hardy is the daughter of George Hardy, a chemical engineer, and Denise Robinson, a clinical social worker who was a former swimmer at Indiana State University. She has a younger sister, Amanda, who swims and plays water polo. Her grandfather, John Tourtellot, was … Continue reading →

Star Athletes Score Big With New Additions

Shortly after Barry Bonds hit his 756th home run last night he rounded the bases and took his 17-year-old batboy son, Nikolai into his arms. After an emotional embrace the San Francisco Giants’ slugger’s mother, two daughters and wife joined father and son on the field. Bonds broke the home run record in front of a 43,000-strong home crowd that included his godfather, Hall of Famer Willie Mays. So the momentous occasion truly was a family affair. In tribute to Bonds’ feat I thought it would be appropriate to salute some other famous athletes on their achievements off the field—namely … Continue reading →

A Warning About A Potentially Deadly Staph Infection

My teenage cousins recently wrapped up the school year, but they didn’t come home empty handed. Each student athlete received a letter regarding a potentially deadly staph infection that attacks the skin. It’s called Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus or MRSA. According to the information provided by the school and county health department, it is contagious and frightening. MRSA is considered by medical experts as a superbug, which means it is resistant to antibiotics and by all accounts it is rapidly spreading among athletes (both amateur and professional). The letter was sent to parents to inform them about MRSA and to list … Continue reading →

Water Danger: Know the Risks

Water intoxication? I didn’t know there was such a thing and that it could be deadly. Water intoxication is also known as hyperhydration. Jennifer Strange died, recently, because of it. Just drinking water, moderately, doesn’t harm you. However, if you consume large quantities and hold your urine, that’s another story. It can result in hyponatremia, a condition related to water intoxication. Taking in more water than your body can release causes an imbalance of electrolytes. The imbalance occurs when the sodium level in the blood drops significantly (below 135 mmol/L). This eventually leads to swelling in the brain. A person … Continue reading →

The Man Who Shaped Tiger Woods

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I do not think anyone will deny that to be a great athlete, you need natural talent. But, I think that great coaching and good parenting is also a big part of the equation. Fortunately for Tiger Woods, he had both in his father Earl. Earl Woods passed away on May 3rd, 2006 after a battle with cancer, but his legacy lives on in Tiger. Earl was determined that Tiger not only become a great golfer, but a great man as well and I doubt you will find any more level-headed athlete in any sport. Too many parents seek to … Continue reading →