Fresh from a pep rally honoring her silver medal performance in the Olympics, Cathedral High School junior Samantha Peszek is ready to get back to normal.
“It’s overwhelming,” the gymnast said moments after closing her medal into its wooden case. “I’m ready, prepared and excited to get back to my normal life.”
Peszek, 16, was one of America’s hopes for gymnastics gold before she sprained her ankle practicing just before the competition began in China.
But the silver sits well with her classmates.
“I think it’s really awesome,” said Brittany Kaelin, 14. “She’s practically a celebrity here.”
Nick Bates, 15, agreed.
“I’m glad she’s back at school and glad she got a silver medal,” he said.
Despite the national attention, Cathedral vice president Jim McLinn said Peszek is “pretty grounded.”
