updated 2:44 p.m. ET Feb. 24, 2006

BEL AIR, Md. - Fans of Olympic figure skater Kimmie Meissner said they were proud of the 15-year-old Bel Air resident’s hard work and talent, which led to a sixth-place finish at the Winter Olympics.

Bel Air Mayor Terry Hamley said Meissner surpassed expectations in her first Olympic appearance, and said she’s an incredibly talented and yet down-to-earth young woman.

“It’s not every day you have a young athlete compete in the Olympics,” he said.

Clarissa Neumer, president of the Parent Teacher Student Association at Fallston High School, which Meissner attends, said she was watching the clock all day, waiting for the moment when Meissner would be skating.

“She’s done all the hard work. Now she just needs to enjoy the results,” Neumer said.

Neumer said the PTA has helped Meissner’s family with its travel expenses, and that her son is in a chemistry class with the figure skater.

“She’s a very virtuous, humble individual. We’re all proud of her,” Neumer said.

The future is extremely bright, Meissner’s fans say, because she’s young enough to compete again at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

“Can you imagine where she’ll be in four years? She’ll be unstoppable,” said Richard Lynch, owner of Buontempo Brothers Pizzeria, which has invited Meissner fans to gather and watch her compete.

“She’s got plenty of time,” Hamley said. “Just getting there is an incredible task, an incredible feat. That young lady has nothing to be ashamed of.”

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