You can't help being inspired by 21-year-old speed skater Jordan Stolz.

The Kewaskum native is making a lot of noise in the Olympics, winning his first gold medal in the men's 1000 meters speedskating race at the Milan Cortina Olympic Games Wednesday, February 11. Stolz came from behind and seemed to glide to first place, with a smile. He finished in 1:06.28. He holds the world record in the event of 1:05.37.

Many people around southeast Wisconsin cheered when Jordan sailed through the line as a winner, including students and teachers in Kewaskum. School Superintendent Dr. Mark Bazata told WTKM about the reaction.

"Jordan Stolz represents the very best of what a small community can produce. Hard work, discipline and relentless determination and our students are incredibly excited to see someone from our community competing on the world's stage. Watching him bring home a gold medal and continue to compete at the highest level is an inspiration for all of us."

For Stolz, it was his first gold medal at this level, and hopefully it's just the beginning in these Olympic games. The young man from Kewaskum, who started skating as a kid on a pond in his backyard, will compete in three more events.

Students of all ages watched the 1000m race in Kewaskum, including high school students who gathered in the library during study hall and many stayed in during their lunch period so they wouldn't miss a moment.