Natalie
Burgener

Athlete Bio#

Height

5'3

Hometown

Colorado Springs

Education

University of Colorado - Colorado Springs

March 2, 2012 - Natalie Burgener in Sports Illustrated

Current Residence: Colorado Springs, Colo.
Birthplace: Protection, Kans.
Most people don't know that... I'm a total coffee snob
Most Influential person(s) in your sporting career: Casey Burgener (husband and fellow Team USA member) and former OTC teammate Doreen Fullhart. "Both are amazing lifters and people. I strive to be like them on and off the platform."
Hobbies/Interests outside of weightlifting: My favorite thing to do is cook, and a close second is eating. I also enjoy playing taboo, traveling, and hanging out with my fantastic husband.
Favorite Books: Blue like Jazz
Favorite TV Show: The Wire
Favorite Music Genre: Blues / Funk
Favorite Food: Mango and sweet rice

Quick Facts

: Open up a cafe

Olympic Teams: 2008

Personal

: After quitting gymnastics in the sixth grade after reaching level nine, Burgener (née Woolfolk) was encouraged to take up weightlifting by her father Kirk Woolfolk who was the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. Natalie met husband Casey Burgener while the two were resident athletes at the U.S. Olympic Training Center and the two became engaged after the 2007 World Weightlifting Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand when Casey proposed to her while on a sight-seeing tour from the back of an elephant. The two married in November 2008 after Natalie competed at the Olympic Games in Beijing. Natalie returned to Colorado Springs in 2010 and is training at the OTC with the goal of medalling at the 2012 Olympic Games.