Initial headline: “Swimming under the radar”
Publication date: Aug. 10
Main player: Katie Hoff
Story then: The 19-year-old entered the Beijing Olympics with hopes of breaking Amy Van Dyken’s women’s record of four gold medals. But Hoff didn’t come close, as she finished with a silver and two bronzes in six events. Still, she greatly improved from four years ago in Athens, when she finished 17th in the 400-meter individual medley.
Story now: She’s enrolled at Loyola College, where she attends one class — an introductory philosophy course that meets three days a week –and is a volunteer assistant coach with the men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams. Hoff, who was home-schooled growing up, is expected to take a full course load in January, when she’ll begin training for the World Championships in June with a long-term goal of winning gold at the 2012 London Games.
“I know quite a few people who have attended Loyola,” Hoff said. “I am very excited to be around the team and help out wherever I am needed.”
— Dave Carey
