Olympic Gold Medalist To Visit Marquette Schools

MARQUETTE---A man who won a gold medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games in beach volleyball will visit with Marquette school kids on Friday.

Dain Blanton was supposed to speak on Thursday, but flight delays forced a postponement. Blanton took gold in beach volleyball that year, and now, he spends his time crossing the country as a motivational speaker.

Becky Simmons, a Science and Transitions teacher in the Marquette Area Public Schools, is helping to coordinate Blanton's visit.

She says that Blanton will talk with students about his struggles to become an Olympic athlete.  Blanton says that he has a message of overcoming obstacles, and following your passions and dreams to reach your goals in life.

Blanton is the national spokesman for the transitions program that all Marquette High School freshmen take, learning about life lessons and skills.

Blanton's schedule on Friday has been reworked. It follows:

8:00 a.m.-8:40 a.m.---Marquette Alternatitive High School
9:00 a.m.-11:10 a.m.---Bothwell Middle School (eighth graders)
1:20 p.m.-2:20 p.m.---Marquette Senior High School (ninth graders)

Blanton also had a public event Thursday night at Motion's Fitness of Marquette.
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