Kewaskum native Jordan Stolz wins gold at the Olympics, inspires students at his old elementary school
KEWASKUM, Wis. (CBS 58) -- While Olympic athletes race for gold half a world away, one Wisconsin native is drawing a crowd much closer to home.
Jordan Stolz, the speed skater from Kewaskum, took home the gold in the men’s 1,000-meter race and set a new Olympic record.
But before he was breaking records at the Olympics, Stolz was setting records at his elementary school, and now, inspiring hundreds of kids to do the same.
“Of course I’m rooting for him today,” said Stolz’s kindergarten teacher, Julie Ayers.
While the world’s best athletes compete for gold on the Olympic stage, some of the biggest fans are watching from much smaller seats.
“We want to see if he wins,” said third grader, Madelyn Alexander.
At Addison Elementary School, there’s no one cheering louder or harder for Stolz.
“He’s always been an athlete. He really has,” said Ayers.
From the moment he entered kindergarten, Ayers says Stolz knew what he wanted to be.
“I always hear stories, I want to be a garbage man, I want to be a police man. So it was kinda cool when he was in kindergarten that was the year of Apollo Ohno and he’s like I’m gonna do that. And I’m like awesome, go do it,” said Ayers.
On Wednesday, Feb. 11, the Olympian won his first gold medal for speed skating in the men’s 1,000 meters, and broke the Olympic record set in 2002, before Stolz was even born.
“Pretty awesome. It’s hard to explain when a kid, you know, can get to this place,” said physical education teacher Cori Merklein.
Inside the gym, another record Stolz set hangs high up on the walls.
“Because he got in pull-ups. 40, and in the school record right now,” said Alexander.
Stolz’ teachers say that’s who he’s always been.
“First grade, he had one pull. Second grade he had 20. That just goes to show you the drive he has to succeed,” said Merklein.
For these kids, Stolz is more than just a record.
“It’s cool how he’s in the Olympics and also went to the same school,” said third grader Joseph Brahm. “I want to be in the Olympics but probably not the same one he does.”
He’s proof that no dream is too big.
“So one of students was like, I’m gonna do the downhill, and I’m like, you go for it,” said Ayers.