Ripple effect

Robyn Sheldon
Olympic medalist Brendan Hansen gives young swimmers pointers on the butterfly stroke Jan. 14 during a clinic at Wheaton College. About 120 young swimmers ages 8 and older participated in the afternoon event, sponsored by the Wheaton Swim Club and the Leukemia Research Foundation.

Olympic champion encourages young swimmers while helping a cause

By Hank Beckman
SPECIAL TO THE SUN

Gold medalist Brendan Hansen was able to accomplish what most parents and teachers only dream about: He got more than 100 children to sit still and listen.

The three-time medalist in swimming at the 2004 Olympics in Athens and the fastest breaststroker in history visited would-be champions Jan. 14 at Wheaton College. Hansen led an Ultimate Technique Swim Clinic, a USA Swimming-sanctioned event designed to give young swimmers an afternoon of training and motivation.

Proceeds from the event, which cost $60 in advance and $70 the day of the event, went to the Leukemia Research Foundation. The Glenview-based nonprofit organization funds research against the disease and helps patients who have financial challenges because of the costs of treatment. The Wheaton Swim Club co-sponsored the clinic.

The event lasted four hours, including a motivational talk with Hansen relating stories from his journey from Haverford, Pa., to the Olympics. Speaking of his early career, he told the crowd he had plenty of setbacks.

"When I started out, I was not very good, and it was really hard for me," he said. "But I never let it bother me."

Hansen talked about his first state championship meet as a freshman, when he was somewhat intimidated by the senior he was up against.

"Then I thought, 'There's no reason I can't beat this guy,' before I beat him," he said. "On any given day you can win any race."

While many of the participants were local swimmers, particularly from the Wheaton Swim Club, many came from as far as Centralia and Goshen, Ind.

"You know I'm excited," said Trevor Holm, a sophomore from Christ Our Rock Lutheran High School. "I came all the way from Centralia."

Connie Hsu, 11, a member of the Wheaton Swim Club and a six-time Illinois state champion in the under-10 age group, was excited to be there, too.

"It's good to help other people," she said.

Her coach, Jacob Ayers, said the clinic was a learning experience beyond swimming.

"It's a tremendous opportunity for kids to be aware of people who are in different circumstance than they are," he said. "It's in line with the outreach mission of Wheaton College, and we're happy to do something in line with their goals."

Nathan Duell, an English teacher at Goshen High School in Indiana and a 1994 graduate of Wheaton College, brought his 10-year-old daughter, MacKenzie, whom he also coaches.

"She will get to hear some of the same things we say to her every day, but now it comes from someone she considers an authority," Duell joked. "It keeps her excited about swimming."

Organizers hope Hansen's visit also will raise awareness of those who are fighting disease.

"Brendan really sort of adopted us," said Kevin Radelet, executive director of the Leukemia Research Foundation. "A world-renowned athlete like Brendan has tremendous impact on others, including youth and adults."

Hansen decided to get involved with the fight against leukemia and other blood-related disorders after visiting a children's hospital in his hometown of Austin, Texas.

"A lot of these people don't know what these kids go through," Hansen said.

The commitment takes an emotional toll on Hansen, who has gotten to know some of the patients.

"It's been a tough year," he said. "I've lost two kids this year."

Hansen hoped to show leukemia patients that there is hope.

"I try to relate to them that my career has had ups and downs."