2008 Beijing Summer Olympic Senior Hopefuls

As the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics approaches, you can expect to hear stories of individual athletes. You can especially expect to hear about numerous child athletes who are at the top of their game before they can even get a drivers license. While this is certainly a great accomplishment, I wanted to pay homage to a few Olympic Senior hopefuls to watch. These Olympians are not necessarily seniors, but they are all well into their 30’s. Here are some of the best and oldest Olympic Hopefuls in the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics.

Deena Kastor 35 (Marathon)

Deena Kastor was born February 14, 1973 and is from Waltham, Mass. She is married to Andrew Kastor, her physical therapist. In college, Deena won seven Southeastern Conference titles but decided to follow other interests and left the sport in 1996. Eventually, however, she regained her passion for running and began to train again. She trains by running more than 100 miles a week with her chocolate lab, Aspen.

Deena Kastor’s accomplishments include setting an American Record of 2:21:15 in 2003, and then beating that record in 2006 with 2:19:36. She also broke here won Half Marathon record in Berlin finishing at 1:07:34. Kastor also won a bronze medal in the 2004 Olympic Marathon, and won three first place championships in 2007.

Mike Lambert 34 (Beach Volleyball)

Mike Lambert was born April 14, 1974 and hails from Coste Mesa, California. He was born in Kaneohe, Hawaii and has two sisters, Mia and Debbie who were national championships in volleyball. In college he was a three-time All-American, helped lead his team to their NCAA National Championship in 1997. He joined the US National team in 1995 and was a member for five years. He was also in the Olympics in 1996 and 2000 and played professionally in Italy for four years. Other accomplishments include AVP best offensive player in 2002 and 2004, AVP Crocs Cup Champion 2006, AVP Rookie of the Year 2002, and AVP Team of the year 2004, 2006.

Lambert is married to Debora and has two children. When he grows up, he wants to be a Real-Estate mogul in Hawaii.

Stein Metzger 35 (Beach Volleyball)

Stein Metzger was born November 17, 1972 and is from Honolulu Hawaii where he grew up surfing and playing beach volleyball. He was a three-time National Champion at UCLA and earned All-American Honors three years straight. He was also the 1996 NCAA MVP and won an award for most outstanding player. His recent accomplishments include fifth place in the 2004 Athens Olympics, ACP Team of the year in 2005, and AVP Crocs Cup Champion in 2006.

In 1996, Stein Metzger teamed up with Mike Lambert and together they advanced to the Final Four in 14 our of 15 team events. They do not have a losing record against any other team in that season.

When he is not surfing, Metzger likes to surf and handle outrigger canoes.

Bill Zadick 35 (Men’s Freestyle Wrestling)

Bill Zadick was born April 3, 1973 from parents Bob and Toni Zadick. He has a brother mike, who is five years his junior also an Olympic hopeful this year, and two sisters. He is from Great Falls, Montana where he attended Great Falls High School and lettered in cross-country. In college, he was a three-time NCAA All-American and a NCAA champion in 1996.

Bill finished seventh at the U.S. Olympic Trails in 2004 and second in 2000 U.S. Olympic Team Trials. His accomplishments include 2001 U.S. Open Champion, 2002 W.S. Open Champion, Second in 2002 and 2006 U.S. Nationals and is a 2006 World Champion.

For more information on USA Olympic hopefuls, you can visit http://www.usolympicteam.com.

Andrea Hermitt is a featured writer for Xomba.com. Read the rest of her work here .