Huntsville, Ala., native Margaret Hoelzer earned an Olympic berth in her second event Saturday night as she broke
the world record in the 200-meter backstroke, winning the event with a time of 2:06.09. She breaks the world record time of 2:06.39, held by her former Auburn teammate and Zimbabwean Olympian Kirsty Coventry.
“This is my first world record, it's a wonderful surprise,” said
Hoelzer. “I'm in awe and amazed and I'm happy to be
where I am right now.
”
For Hoelzer, it gives her a second event for the 2008 Beijing Olympics after she finished second in the 100-meter backstroke on Tuesday.
She is a two-time Olympian after qualifying for the 2004 Athens
Olympics in the 200m back.
Hoelzer was in second place through the first 100 meters, but took over
the lead following the halfway point en route to her first world
record.
I wanted to be close at the 100,” said Hoelzer. “I wanted to go
out with Hayley (McGregory) and be in front of Elizabeth (Beisel) at the
end.”
Hoelzer won two individual NCAA titles in the 200-yard backstroke while ccompeting for Auburn and was on five NCAA championship relay teams. She won nine SEC individual titles from 2002 through 2005.
2008 Inside the Auburn Tigers Football Guide
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