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Bakken visits alma mater
By Janie McCauley
AP sports writer
KIRKLAND, Wash. — Jill Bakken's gold medal was folded within its blue ribbon and nowhere near her neck.
"I guess I could show you this," she said with a smile, revealing the Olympic prize she earned last month in the inaugural women's bobsled.
Bakken was honored Friday in front of hundreds of students at Lake Washington High School, which she attended from 1991-95. Two male students held a sign reading, "I Love Jill," the pep band played and students hopped to their feet to show their appreciation. Most never knew her, but it didn't matter.
"This is the hardest thing I've done since I won," Bakken said. "I'm more nervous than even when I was on Letterman."
Bakken, now a Park City resident, teamed with Vonetta Flowers to win gold in the bobsled in Salt Lake City.
Not bad for her first Olympics.
The team beat the favored Germans and the much-hyped Jean Racine in the other American sled. It marked the first Olympic bobsled medal for the United States since 1956.
"I definitely want to encourage people to excel in what they want to do," Bakken said. "If you want to do something in your life, do it."
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March 24, 2002
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