Lane 9 News Archive: Club Wolverine Loses Another Distance Queen

Club Wolverine Loses Another Distance Queen -- December 6, 2007

"It's been one of the hardest decisions I've ever made..." - Kalyn Keller

ANN ARBOR, Michigan, December 6. ON top of the recent announcement that former Club Wolverine Hayley Peirsol returned to Auburn to complete her degree and take a break for swimming, the club just took another blow as Kalyn Keller is retiring from the sport due to a bout with Crohn's disease, according to an article in the Detroit Free Press.

"It's been one of the hardest decisions I've ever made," Keller told the Detroit Free Press. "I didn't choose for it to be like this."

According to the article, Keller began showing symptoms after the Pan American Games, and her fourth-place finish in the 10K worlds qualifier for open left her short of a potential bid for Beijing. That proved to be the final straw, as she will no longer remain on her national team insurance and must return to Arizona to live with her family as she battles this disease.

"It was tough. I felt so weak and stiff. I didn't have anything left. Those trials should have been a shoo-in for me," Keller told the Detroit Free Press. "Everywhere I turn, it seems something is going against me. I love swimming. I never dreamed this would happen. If I hadn't gotten this, I'd still be swimming. But, right now, I need to go home and do what I have to do to get healthy."

Keller finishes her career as a 2004 Olympian and FINA World Championships silver medalist in the 25K event.

Crohn's disease, also known as regional enteritis, is a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract characterized by the nasty symptoms usually accompanying a stomach flu.

Full text of Detroit Free Press article.

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Reaction Time Comments

December 6, 2007 Wow, that's really unfortunate. It's too bad when athletes have to retire because of an illness.
Submitted by: Avaholics87

December 6, 2007 WHAT A TRAVESTY, SHE COMPETES FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND NOW THEY WANT TO CANCEL HER BENIFITS!!!

THIS STORY SHOULD BE IN THE HEADLINES OF EVERY NEWSPAPER AND MAGAZINE IN THE COUNTRY!
Submitted by: asleepatthewheel

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