Erik Vendt

Erik Vendt after a race (http://www.erikvendtonline.com/cover.jpg)

I didn't have a big WOW moment when I first saw Erik Vendt, but I had always heard people talk about him and I gradually became more interested. I began to follow him when I saw him at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. I enjoyed watching him because he, like me, was pretty short. Unlike most of the other top swimmers standing at 6' plus, he stood at a comfortable 5'8". He is also good at the same events I am good at.

Erik Vendt swimming breaststroke (http://www.organic.org/image.php?image=assets/article_images/233.jpg)

Erik Vendt is an olympic swimmer who specializes in the 1500m free and the 400 individual medley. You don't need an education to be a successful swimmer, but once you stop swimming, it is helpful to have something to fall back on. In order to be a top swimmer, you need to train all year round, twice a day. The harder you train, the better you will be. Your pay is based on prize money and sponsors, so the better you are, the more money you make.

Traits that Erik showed as a kid that would help him in his career are hard work ethics, responsibility, and discipline. These are much needed in swimming. He swam during his school years, including college. He just kept swimming and got better and better.

Erik Vendt helps others by inspiring them to work hard. When one person works hard, others start to follow. When he starts the ripple effect, more and more people learn to try hard in order to reach their goals. Since he inspires others to work hard the world becomes a better place.

My high school goals are to go to CIF, make varsity, and to be one of the fastest on the team. I also want to get some sort of scholarship for college. In college, I want to at least make it to olympic trials, maybe even the Olympics. I'd also like to get some money from it to help pay for college. Finally, I want to learn from swimming and use my knowledge in life.