Geist Olympian Honored in Statehouse Ceremony

Gov. Mitch Daniels today distributed distinguished Hoosier certificates to Indiana Olympians and called them role models.

“That sort of self-control and work ethic is rare to find at any age,” Daniels said. “But to find it in those so young is an inspiration.”

Eight athletes with Hoosier ties who competed in last month’s Beijing Olympics attended a Statehouse ceremony.

Soccer player Lauren Cheney, a Ben Davis High School standout, wore her gold medal, and gymnasts Samantha Peszek of McCordsville and Bridget Sloan of Pittsboro wore their silver medals.

Cheney, 20, was the oldest of the group. Peszek and Sloan are 16.

The five other Olympians in attendance were divers David Boudia, 19, of Noblesville; Thomas Finchum, 18, of Indianapolis; Ariel Rittenhouse, 17, of Indianapolis; Haley Ishimatsu, 16, of Indianapolis and Mary Beth Dunnichay, 15, from Elwood.

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Back Home Again with Samantha Peszek

It was one “Sam-tastic” celebration welcoming home our Geist Olympic Silver Medalist Samantha Peszek at Deveau’s School of Gymnastics on Aug. 25th. Peszek arrived in a silver convertible (courtesy of John Dick, Century 21 Realty Group Companies) — a perfect match for the silver medal she waved to the crowd!

Now Sam is settling back into a normal routine — if there is such a thing after winning a silver medal in Beijing!

“It feels great to come home to my family and friends; it is just so good to be back!” says Sam.

Her mom, Luan, agrees: “We are so happy to be home and have gained memories to last a lifetime. Everyone has been great…we are so lucky to have such a great community!”

The medal is kept in the Peszek living room for now, but Sam is busy carrying it all over. On the day I stopped by Deveau’s, Sam wasn’t there. Sam (and the medal) were taping Oprah’s season premiere with other Olympians in Chicago!
My favorite part of that story is Sam setting off the metal detector at the airport. Imagine their surprise when they learned it was an Olympic silver medal that set off the machine!

Sam also will be appearing at an Indiana Fever game with other Olympians, in the Greenfield Christmas parade as Grand Marshall and at the 2008 Tour of Gymnastics Superstars coming to Conseco Fieldhouse Nov. 11.

When I did talk with Sam, she said going to the Olympics has been a dream come true for her and her family.

“It is such an honor competing for your country,” says Sam. “I didn’t get to fulfill my Olympic dream exactly the way I wanted to. It wasn’t exactly the fairy tale I thought it would be, but it is still such an honor to be able to go and bring home a silver medal.”
Peszek is referring to an injury that happened during warm ups at the Olympics which forced her to sit out one of her strongest events in Beijing. However, she did get to compete in one event along with fellow Hoosier Bridget Sloan of Pittsboro, earning the silver medal as part of the U.S. team that finished second to China.

Will she try for the Olympic gold in the future? “Not sure at this time,” says Sam. “ I’ll have to think about it.”

Longtime owner of Deveau’s school of gymnastics Joan Deveau, who built the gym in Fishers in 1995 and watched Sam grow up there, was equally excited about Sam’s trip to the Olympics.

“I am so proud of her—even with her injury. I new she was disappointed, but she never looked upset on camera. She handled everything so well,” DeVeau said.

Congratulations to our neighbor and Silver Medalist Sam Peszek, and good luck getting your life back home “back to normal”!

Local Olympians added to 2008 Tour of Gymnastics Superstars

Fresh from their triumphs in Beijing, local Olympians Samantha Peszek and Bridget Sloan will join their teammates for the Nov. 11 Conseco Fieldhouse appearance of The 2008 Tour of Gymnastics Superstars.

Tickets are on sale now!

Olympic Silver Medalist Samantha Peszek on ‘Today’

This is a picture from the Today Show of the 2008 Silver Medal USA Women’s Gymnastics Team, including local gymnast Samantha Peszek!

Stay tuned for information about Samantha’s return from Beijing!!!

2008 Olympic Women’s Gymnastics Silver Medalists

Here are a couple of pictures of the USA Women’s Gymnastics Team with their gold medals, including local gymnast, Samantha Peszek and her DeVeaus coach, Peter Zhao.

Way to go USA!!!! We are proud of you Samantha!!!

 

DeVeaus gymnasts, coaches, families and friends gather to show support of Samantha Peszek!

DeVeau’s gymnasts, coaches, families and friends gathered to show their support for Samantha Peszek last night at Buffalo Wild Wings in Fishers. Although Samantha twisted her ankle prior to competition, they still showed up to show their support for her and the rest of the Women’s Gymnastics Team.

Her teammates know what it took for her to accomplish this goal and are very proud of her!!! GO SAMANTHA!!!! GO USA!!!

Click the link below to view the video

http://www.wthr.com/global/story.asp?s=8819173

Watch “Shot at Glory” and podium training in Beijing - Local Olympic gymnast Samantha Peszek

If you missed the special on MoJo TV last night on local Olympic gymnast Samantha Peszek, click on the link below to view it. (It is 30 minutes long)

http://www.mojohd.com/video?sid=23

Also, watch the USA Women’s Gymnastics Team practice on the podium in Beijing by clicking the link below:

www.nbcolympics.com/video/share.html?videoid=gy01-bj-sd40-080708-132002

Don’t forget to Watch Olympian Samantha Peszek tonight!

There is going to be a 30-minute show on Samantha Peszek that will air on HD TV Mojo (Channel 603 on Comcast) on August 6 at 9 p.m. The show is called Shot at Glory.

They followed Sam at school, lunch after school with friends, gymnastics practice at DeVeau’s, training camp in Houston, Visa Championships and home one day in May and have put together a show on her!

Also, tomorrow you can watch podium training for the Olympic Gymnasts “On Demand” on NBC Olympics, or you can stay up until 1:30am and watch it live!!!

Update on 2008 Olympic Gymnast Samantha Peszek!

The following is an update on the events surrounding Samantha Peszek and her being named to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Women’s Gymnastics Team:

• On Tuesday, July 22nd, the Peszek family hosted a congratulations party for Samantha at the Indianapolis Yacht Club. The turn-out was unbelievable! It was attended by family, friends, Samantha’s DeVeau’s teammates and their families and fellow classmates at Cathedral High School. A great time was had by all!
• On Thursday, July 24th, Samantha’s fellow teammates, coaches and families surprised Samantha and her coach, Peter Zhao, with a send off for the airport at DeVeaus. Red,white & blue was worn by all, and American flags were waving proudly! To view coverage go to WTHR.com
• There is going to be a 30-minute show on Samantha Peszek that will air on HD TV Mojo on August 6 at 9 p.m. The show is called “Shot at Glory.” They followed Samantha at school, lunch after school with friends, gymnastics practice at DeVeau’s, training camp in Houston, VISA Championships and home one day in May.

Please stay tuned for updates as Samantha pursues her dream and brings home the Gold for the USA!!! (Photo by Indy Star)

Watch Samantha Peszek as she competes for the USA!

Congratulations to Samantha Peszek and her coach Peter Zhao!!

Samantha Peszek will be leaving for a training camp in Houston on Thursday before continuing her travels to compete for the 2008 USA Olympic Women’s Gymnastics Team in Beijing!

Samantha trains at DeVeau’s School of Gymnastics in Fishers and will be a junior at Cathedral High School in the fall.

The following is a schedule of the televised competitions:

Sam will most likely compete in Team prelims and team finals … she has a chance to make all-around, beam and floor finals, as well.

NBC Broadcast Schedule

(Times are ET - Check your local listings for correct times)

August 9 – Men’s Gymnastics, Team competition 8:00 p.m.-midnight

August 10 – Women’s Gymnastics, Team competition 7:00 p.m.-midnight

August 11 – Men’s Gymnastics , Team gold medal final 8:00 p.m.-12:30 a.m.

August 12 – Women’s Gymnastics, Team gold medal final 8:00 p.m.-midnight

August 13 – Men’s Gymnastics, individual all-around 8:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m.

August 14 – Women’s Gymnastics, Individual all-around 8:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m.

August 15 – Women’s Gymnastics, trampoline 12:35 a.m.-2:00 a.m.

August 16 – Men’s Gymnastics, trampoline 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

August 17 – Gymnastics, event finals M&W 7:00 p.m.-midnight

August 18 – Gymnastics, event finals M&W 8:00 p.m.-midnight

August 18 – Gymnastics, Trampoline gold medal final 8:00 p.m.-midnight

August 19 – Gymnastics, event finals M&W 8:00 p.m.-midnight

August 19 – Men’s Gymnastics, Trampoline gold medal 12:35 a.m.-2:00 a.m.

August 20 – Gymnastics Gala 8:00 p.m.-midnight

Note: Gymnastics will also be televised on Oxygen and Telemundo – check local listings for the NBC broadcasts as well as the Oxygen and Telemundo schedules

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