Aug. 4, 2000
If you looked up the word "dedication" in any dictionary, chances are a picture of Leslie Hoh might appear parallel to the definition.
Hoh, a sophomore on MU's women's swimming team will be the first women's team member in Head Coach Brian Hoffers' era to compete in the U.S. Olympic Trials. The meet will take place in Indianapolis, Ind. beginning on Wednesday, Aug. 9. To some swimmers, an Olympic birth is a dream come true. But to Hoh, she's already accomplished her dream.
"All I ever wanted to do was qualify and swim in the trials," she says with a smile.
That's it. No gold medal, no record breaking heat, she wants to be there just to compete and have fun. And in a time of multi-million dollar salaries, product endorsements and high-powered sports agents, it's nice to find someone who cares more about their team and having fun then how many zeros could appear at the end of their paycheck.
Hoh will be competing in the 400 individual medley on Wednesday and the 200 individual medley on Friday. And in those two events, only the top two swimmers will advance to the Olympics in Sydney.
She's not afraid to admit there are better swimmers in the field. But that's what makes an athlete a competitor. And competitive, Hoh is, but at the same time she feels she doesn't have much of a shot at the Olympics. So instead of setting unrealistic goals for herself that will only disappoint her, she's looking toward the future as well.
Hoh has three years still remaining at Mizzou and feels that after the trials all the pressure will be lifted. The outcomes and her times are not at the top of her list. Fun and knowledge for her sport is.
"I'm going [to trials] just to have fun and for the experience. There is pressure I'm putting on myself, for [head coach] Brian [Hoffer] because he's here training me and not saying 'you have to do well.' He's made it easy for me."
Realizing you will be competing against the best athlete's in the world is one thing. But having it set that you probably won't make it to the Olympics is another. Some would give up and figure there's no point in extra training. But Hoh is unlike any other swimmer.
There are still races to win and Hoh has done anything but let any pressure get to her. Coach Hoffer has worked tremendously with her all summer long in order to get her ready for the big time. And according to Hoffer, Hoh has trained harder then any other athlete he has ever trained.
To prepare for this summer's Olympic Trials Hoh works out six days a week, and as much as four times a day.
Being only a sophomore, one would think inexperience would be a factor, but according to Hoffer, Hoh has been in this position before and is not phased.
"It's a great challenge for her. She's the most experienced swimmer on my team. She's been to U.S. Nationals and scored at U.S. Nationals. And Olympic Trials aren't that much different. Experience won't be a factor."
But don't be misled. Hoh is still young and treading in new waters. She has the utmost confidence in herself and is prepared for anything. But she's still a kid at heart and all kids get nervous.
"I'm very nervous. I don't know what to expect, so I don't have a lot of expectations for myself because I know I'm not going to be competing with the top people there. I just want to swim well."
However, in the back of her mind Hoh doesn't feel she'll ever get this chance again and she plans to make the most of it the first time around, just in case.
By the time the 2004 Olympics come around she'll be graduating, which would make it very hard to train. And although it's obvious it's a once in a lifetime opportunity, her unselfish attitude shows what is most important to her career at MU. Her team.
"Our team is getting better with every year. As a team aspect we are definitely getting better."
Hoh's first recruiting visit took place at the University of Missouri. And after that visit she had the likes of North Carolina, North Carolina State and Princeton on her list of places to travel. But she cancelled those visits in a week after visiting Missouri.
With all of her accomplishments, it's only a matter of time before she lures more outstanding swimmers to MU's program. And although she would prefer not to be on a pedestal, she'll do whatever she can to make her team better.
"It doesn't bother me, there's a little pressure to keep me doing well, but I don't let it get to me."
Self-conscious? Hardly. Hoh takes everything in stride and has a wonderful attitude towards her family, life and teammates.
Hoh won't be going to trials sitting in first class on a 747, she won't be traveling in an enormous Greyhound with cushioned seating, instead Hoh will follow Coach Hoffer in her own car so she can visit her mom (who recently moved from Charlotte, NC to Lexington, Ky.) after trials.
Going where she is going, and being where she's been, it would be easy to get a big head. But Hoh knows she still has three more years left and there is life at the end of the trials. Don't think that just because she feels the Olympics might be out of reach that she won't give it her best shot. Hoh has trained too hard for too long to give a mediocre performance. She'll compete with heart, and take whatever the water gives her.
"I'm going with the hopes to swim well, not embarrass myself and to have fun. Whatever happens, happens."