March On, Sarge Marge

Huntsville’s Margaret “You Can’t Holz ‘er Back” Hoelzer kept her cards close to her chest yesterday and cagily made her way into tonight’s 100 meter backstroke final (9:23 pm Central).

This is not her best race (she is one of the favorites and the current world record-holder in the 200 meter back, however), so gold-medaling is still somewhat of a longshot, especially with teammate Natalie Coughlin and Zimbabwe’s Kirsty Coventry in the race too.

Speaking of Coventry, she set a new world’s record in her heat last night, and there’s an interesting side story developing there. Even though Hoelzer and Coventry raced side-by-side last night, there seemed to be little of the usual inter-lane congratulations between the two after the heat was over. Turns out they were roommates at that cow college that sits between Loachapoka and Opelika, and apparently, while still friends, things have cooled a bit and a simmering rivalry has developed.

BTW, THT‘s McCarter has a nice background piece on Margaret here.

Number Three Son spotted Hoelzer once at Jones Valley Pool, her old stomping ground, during a visit home. He was very impressed with the size of her neck and shoulders.

“Dad, I’m tellin’ ya, she’s a MARINE!” he gushed admiringly.

I wasn’t sure if he was talking about the “beachhead-storming, Halls of Montezuma” type or the “equally proficient on land or in water” mammal version.

Maybe we should just call her “Sarge Marge.”

March on, Sarge Marge, march on.