Kristine L. Holzer (born March 21, 1974) is an American

Olympic Olympic or Olympics may refer to Sports Competitions * Olympic Games, international multi-sport event held since 1896 ** Summer Olympic Games ** Winter Olympic Games * Ancient Olympic Games, ancient multi-sport event held in Olympia, Greece bet ...

speed skater Speed skating is a competitive form of ice skating in which the competitors racing, race each other in travelling a certain distance on Ice skate, skates. Types of speed skating are long-track speed skating, short-track speed skating, and marath ...

. Diagnosed with

juvenile rheumatoid arthritis Juvenile may refer to: In general *Juvenile status, or minor (law), prior to adulthood *Juvenile (organism) Music *Juvenile (rapper) (born 1975), stage name of American rapper Terius Gray *''Juveniles'', a 2020 studio album by the band Kingswoo ...

(JRA) when she was 13 years old, Holzer originally took up rowing at

Gonzaga University Gonzaga University (GU) ( ) is a Private university, private Society of Jesus, Jesuit university in Spokane, Washington, United States. It is Higher education accreditation in the United States, accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges ...

because the sport was low-impact. Despite her difficult past, Holzer excelled at rowing and upon graduation moved to Augusta, Georgia to train with the United States Sculling squad under the watchful eye of Coach Igor Grinko. Holzer remained in Augusta for two summers, where due to the combination of her small stature, almost frightening work ethic, and surprising speed on the water, she earned the nickname "Pocket Rocket." Kristine's rowing career peaked at the 1998 United States Senior National Team Trials, where she finished second in the women's double sculls. After being snubbed for a spot as a spare in the 1998 World Rowing Championships, Kristine decided to take up speedskating at the age of 24 (despite having only skated once in her life). After narrowly missing a spot on the 2002 Winter Olympic squad, Holzer skated at the 2006 Winter Olympics and finished in 27th place in the 3000 meters.

References

US Speedskating profile

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Holzer, Kristine Living people 1974 births American female speed skaters Olympic speed skaters for the United States Speed skaters at the 2006 Winter Olympics Canadian people of German descent Canadian emigrants to the United States Gonzaga University alumni 21st-century American sportswomen