Hay farmer links up to see granddaughter vie for Olympic spot

Addisynn Bursch, left, a University High senior, stands next to Missy Franklin, a seven-event qualifier out of the U.S. Olympic Trials in Omaha. Addisynn is the granddaughter of Jake Reidt, retired Hay area farmer who watched Addisynn, via computer link, compete in the 200 IM qualifying ranks at Omaha. A swim racer since the age of six, Addisynn is the daughter of Sherry and Greg Bursch. She raced at the trials June 27 after posting a 2:18.65 qualifying time at the Santa Clara Grand Prix in early June. Required qualifying time to enter the trials was 2:19.49. Addisynn in her race last week clocked 2:19.75 to place 62nd among 129 girls who entered.

Jake Reidt was hooked into the computer grid with another daughter, Shelly Renz of Deer Lake. Sherry Bursch and Shelly Renz are twin daughters of Jake Reidt and the late Tholma Summer Reidt of Hay.