[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 113 (Thursday, July 26, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1346]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING NORTHWEST FLORIDA'S SAM HAZEWINKEL AS A MEMBER OF THE 2012 
                       UNITED STATES OLYMPIC TEAM

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 26, 2012

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
Northwest Florida's Sam Hazewinkel as a member of the 2012 United 
States Olympic Team. The Olympics are a truly special event where 
nations from around the world come together to compete as their fellow 
countrymen cheer them on, and when Sam steps to the mat in the 55 
kilogram freestyle wrestling category to represent our nation, all of 
Northwest Florida will be cheering him on.
  From an illustrious wrestling family, Sam is the first ever second 
generation Olympic wrestler in U.S. history. His father, Dave, and 
uncle, Jim, both represented our country in Greco Roman wrestling at 
the 1968 and 1972 Olympics. Dave introduced his son to wrestling at a 
young age, and coached Sam while he competed at Pensacola Christian 
Academy. At Pensacola Christian, Sam compiled a perfect 140-0 record on 
his way to three Florida state championships. His success gained him a 
scholarship to the University of Oklahoma, where he was a four time 
All-American, and he finished his collegiate career with an impressive 
132-10 record.
  While Sam excelled on the mat, he also learned the importance of 
perseverance. Sam finished in third place in the NCAA championships in 
his Freshman, Sophomore and Junior seasons, and in his Senior season he 
came agonizingly close to capturing a national championship before 
losing in overtime of the final match. During his collegiate career, 
Sam also competed for a spot on the Olympic team, finishing in third 
place in the 2004 Olympic Team Trials. In 2008, Sam competed again for 
a spot on the Olympic team, only to fall short in the finals and finish 
as runner-up.
  Some may have given up after coming so close on two occasions, but 
Sam remained dedicated and never gave up on his Olympic dream. He 
switched from Greco Roman to Freestyle wrestling, but he came into the 
2012 trials as the underdog. Sam reached the finals determined to win, 
but he started off the best-of-three finals with a loss in the first 
match. In the second match, he battled back from an early deficit to 
pull out a win in overtime to force a decisive third match. He won the 
third and final match in dramatic fashion, in overtime, to fulfill his 
Olympic dream and cement his legacy as a role model for hard work, 
dedication and perseverance in the face of adversity.
  Mr. Speaker, I am privileged to rise on behalf of Florida's First 
Congressional District to recognize Northwest Florida's own Sam 
Hazewinkel and wish him the best as he represents our country and 
competes for an Olympic gold medal.

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