DAPHNE, Ala. — Baltimore, Md. may have its homegrown, 14-time Olympic  gold medalist Michael Phelps as its hero, but Daphne has its own swimming champion. 

Kathleen Feldvoss, a 1988 gold medalist in the 200-meter butterfly, spoke to two of Dr. Sonya Rogers’ sixth-grade classes Thursday on the importance of discipline and setting goals.

Feldvoss — formerly Nord — said she was successful because she learned the benefits of discipline at a very early age.

“It’s so important to get a good education and stay focused on your goals,” she said. “I’ve never seen anyone get something without working for it. Always be disciplined.”

Feldvoss won her gold medal in the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, Korea. She was the World Champion in 1986 and European Champion in 1989.

She practiced — and is still friends — with Dara Torres, the 41-year-old American swimmer who thrice received the silver medal in this year’s Beijing games. Torres anchored the U.S. team in the 4-by-100-meter freestyle.

Rogers said that from Feldvoss, the students “would learn the importance of fair play and respect. This can lead to the successful development of (model) behavior in the community and in life.”

Feldvoss began swimming at age 6. At 13, she focused on her training, practicing seven hours a day. Each practice, she would swim 22,000 meters. She began competing full-time, finishing her education with private tutors.

“Not every day was fun. Sometimes you’re in a bad mood. Or Coach is in a bad mood,” said Feldvoss. “You just have to stay focused.”

Feldvoss compared her experience to today’s games.

“The Olympics have changed since I was there. More money is involved now,” she said.

However, she said, “I don’t think it makes it any better.”

“It wasn’t just the winning that helped,” she said. “It was also the experience of living in the Olympic village.”

Feldvoss studied law in East Germany but lost her credits in 1990 when Germany reunified. She decided to transfer when she received a scholarship to Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Fla. While there, she earned a degree in international business.

Feldvoss is now going for her master’s degree in psychology at the University of South Alabama, where her husband teaches. She’s been living in southern Alabama for five years.

Feldvoss — who retired from professional swimming in 1991 — was a member of the 1984 German national team but was unable to compete because Germany protested and pulled out of the games. East Germany was one of 14 countries that refused to attend the games because of security concerns.

Feldvoss has four children: Sophie, Emily, Laura, and Claire. Sophie is a sixth-grader at Daphne Middle School.

When asked if she believed listening to Feldvoss will help her students in their future endeavors, Rogers said, “Yes, if they’re willing to accept her advice and do what it takes to apply themselves.

“If they adhere to what the speaker is saying, it will help them physically and mentally in becoming a quality team player and one who is goal-oriented.”

What was the speaker’s central message in this presentation? 

“Everything that you do, do it with all your strength and effort,” Feldvoss said to the class. “Do everything with fun.”

In short, one might say: Go for the gold.