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26 May 2008 06:05 PM

Focus on the Olympics: Kate Ziegler (2008 Swimming Hopeful)

by Heather Long | More from this Blogger

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. Kate swims 11,000 meters a day, 6 days a week. Meet Kate Ziegler

Kate is the youngest of three children for parents Don and Cathy Ziegler. She grew up in Great Falls, Va., and attended Bishop O'Connell High School in Arlington, Va. where she was a four-time All-American. In 2005, Kate was honored by USA Swimming garnering the 2005 Female Performance of the Year for her performance in the 1500m freestyle at the 2005 World Championships where she won gold. Kate is currently enrolled at George Mason University. She also serves as a clean water ambassador for the Global Water Foundation.

She initially joined a local swim team at the age of 6 because she liked the team's swimsuit. Kate attends George Mason University where she trains with the swimming team as a volunteer coach. She loves fashion and may become an interior designer. Kate broke the longest-standing swimming world record when she shattered Janet Evans' world record in the 1500m freestyle in June of 2007.

Why Root for Her?

Despite shattering her idol's record (Janet Evans) in the 1500m freestyle by nearly 10 seconds in June, Kate won't be able to compete in the 1,500m freestyle in Beijing next August because the race isn't on the women's program. Instead, she will be training to compete in the 400m freestyle, 800m freestyle and 4x200m freestyle relay. Performance Record

• 2007 ConocoPhillips National Champion in 800m freestyle
• 2007 ConocoPhillips National Champion in 400m freestyle
• 2007 World Champion in 1500m freestyle
• 2007 World Champion in the 800m freestyle

The U.S. Swim team trials take place from June 29th to July 6th in Omaha, Nebraska.

Learn more about Heather Long

Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago.

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