Hundreds of area residents joined in a salute to 2002 Winter Olympics Silver Medalist Lyndsay Wall. The March 9 parade through Churchville gave the women’s hockey team member a chance to meet young and old alike from her hometown. Wall was the youngest athlete at the Salt Lake City games and since her return has shared her Olympic experiences in presentations to school children and community groups -- and, she’s signed many autographs! Photographs for Westside News Inc. by Rick Nicholson.

Back to normal for Wall?

You're a junior in high school and you just won a silver medal representing the United States Women's Hockey team at the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. When you return, you're asked to toss the ceremonial jump ball as your high school basketball team plays in the sectionals, you receive a standing ovation at a Rochester Americans home game and your hometown has a parade for you. Will life ever get back to normal for Churchville-Chili's Lyndsay Wall?

"I love making public appearances," said Wall, "but sometimes I just need some time to relax. It's nice to be able to just hang out with my friends again." Wall has been making speaking appearances at elementary and middle schools in the area, answering questions and telling students "to just follow their dream. A lot of people have been asking me to talk and I usually open with a thank you, answer some questions and then give an inspirational message at the end."

Monday, March 11, softball practice began, so normal may not be far away for the Saints third-year varsity catcher. "We did a lot of running and conditioning things the first day." Sounds like close to normal for an athlete of any age - or level.