Gwen Jorgensen, USA’s First Gold Medal Triathlete
by Gwen Jorgensen, Elizabeth Jorgensen,
Nancy Jorgensen
Young Reader Memoir, 175 pp
October, 2022, Meyer & Meyer Sport (UK) Ltd.
paperback, $16.95
Buy on Amazon
Gwen had big
dreams of being an Olympian as a child, working hard to become a competitive
swimmer. She learned about swim meets through school, and her parents supported
swim lessons at a local high school. There she met friends who encouraged each
other at practices and in competitions.
Eventually she earned
a walk-on collegiate swimming spot at UW-Madison, added running to her
repertoire, and then finally when learning about the triathlon, bicycling. She
met her husband while training for triathlon events and competing in Europe,
Mexico, Canada, Japan, and Australia. The book intertwines her preparations for
Rio with elementary years, upper grades and college. Along the way she dealt
with bone breaks and fractures and other lessons of difficult training situations,
including heartbreaking setbacks and losses. Gwen shares what it was like to
prepare for the triathlon in Rio, from packing for the journey with her husband,
to what each moment of the journey, of being in Brazil, including recipes for
healthy meals, such as her overnight oatmeal.
A personal
letter from Gwen which includes an invitation to engage with young readers who
can post their goals on her social media pages sets the stage. Tips and
lessons, such as how to learn swim strokes, self-advice about patience and
dedication, personal essays, and excerpts from newsclips.
The book is nicely
laid out and easy to read, embellished with art work, personal quotes, and
numerous photos, giving it a scrapbook feel. The book also includes
goal-setting advice and a worksheet. Gwen Jorgensen is a positive,
encouraging read and would make a wonderful gift for the young reader in your
life.
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