After winning two silver medals and a bronze at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and establishing herself as one of the top swimmers in the world, racing in the pool is more of an outlet for fun now than it ever was before for Margaret Hoelzer.

Hoelzer, who led Auburn University to three national championships before graduating in 2005, is considered a Team USA veteran heading into the USA Swimming National Championships, which begin today in Irvine, Calif.

Although this year’s national competition includes the likes of Olympians Michael Phelps, Jason Lezak, Katie Hoff and Natalie Coughlin, the rest of the pack is quite unknown.

Hoelzer said she feels like one of the older ones at 27.

“There are certainly a lot of up-and-comers,” Hoelzer said.

“A couple of the people were on the national team last summer, but I think, relatively speaking, it’s a fairly young team.

“That doesn’t necessarily mean completely inexperienced, but I think it’s younger than it has been in some years.”

The Huntsville native will compete in the 100- and 200-meter backstroke, in addition to the 100m freestyle.

Former Auburn swimmers Mark Gangloff, Tyler McGill, Melissa Marik and Ava Ohlgren will join Hoelzer at the national event.
Current Auburn swimmer Adam Klein will compete as well.

Although Hoelzer’s plan is to compete at the 2012 Olympics in London, she said she is “not setting anything else in stone” after Nationals.

In fact, she admitted she’s already looking forward to her life after swimming.

Hoelzer hopes to return to Auburn to finish up her master’s degree in sociology and continue her work as a spokesperson for the National Children’s Advocacy Center in Huntsville.

After being sexually abused as child by a friend’s father in Huntsville, Hoelzer now travels the country, promoting awareness on the issue and holding fundraisers.

She said she eventually plans to have her own foundation, but only after having a little more fun in the water first.

“I’m pretty happy with what I’ve had for my career, with what I’ve accomplished and what I’ve done,” Hoelzer said, satisfied with her achievements.

“At this point, it’s fun. I am still doing it because it’s fun and I enjoy it.”

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