Duerksen is little swimmer big points
By TERRY BEBERMEYER
Staff writer
Maddi Duerksen of Hillsboro is a typical eight-year-old girl who is very busy with summer activities — drama camp, Bible school, softball team, and volleyball camp.
However, this eight-year-old is a fish.
Maddi is a little swimmer who earned big points on the Hillsboro swim team. With a total of 117 out of 120 points possible for the season, Maddi was only three points shy of a perfect record. She was short those three points as a result of swimming in an older age bracket against 9- and 10-year-olds in the 100-meter distance freestyle and the 100-meter individual medley events.
Maddi, the daughter of Missi (Duerksen) Tracy and granddaughter of Mike and Patti Duerksen, appears to come by swimming naturally. Her mother and aunt, Mandi also were talented swimmers, winning a host of blue ribbons when they swam for the Hillsboro team.
"She is a very gifted little swimmer," says assistant coach Mary K. Humber. That is obvious to anyone who has seen her swim.
Having been a member of the team for three years, Maddi has accumulated a number of friends from other swim teams as well as her own. That is Maddi's favorite part about swim meets. Swimming is fun, but add friends to the mix and you've got just about a perfect combination for her.
Although she seems proficient at all four swimming strokes, freestyle is her favorite event because "it makes me feel really fast."
Maddi hangs her ribbons on a bulletin board in her room. She's adding to her collection five more gold medals from the recent league swim meet and two trophies — one for being named high-point swimmer in the eight-and-under girls' division.
So has her success gone to her head? No. Maddi is quick to say that she has good coaches, and she and her friends on the team work well together and encourage each other. Mom and grandma also help her set goals and are supportive of her. It's obvious they are proud — and rightfully so.
Someday, Maddi would like to be on a year-round swim team, but for right now there are too many other activities and interests the eight-year-old wants to pursue. After all, swimming is important, but a kid's got to be a kid!
