Seniors, Freshmen Compare Fall Semester
December 12, 2006 | Men's Swimming & Diving
After a semester of competition in the books, a freshman and senior from both of the University of Wisconsin men's and women's swimming and diving teams share their thoughts on how the first few months of the 2006-07 season went for them on a personal and athletic level.
The following compares and contrasts the chronicles of senior Tom Molzahn and freshman Steven Wiesner. Please check the women's swimming and diving page to read sportid=194&storyid=9903"> --> their story .
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Tom Molzahn, Sr., Barrington, Ill.
This fall semester has made out to be a very hectic, exhilarating and emotional time for me. During the beginning part of the semester, I was focused on my job search. Researching companies, setting up my resume, writing cover letters and preparing for interviews turned out to be a highly involved process.
Though it was very stressful, it also was very exciting. I ended up being offered a job working for a financial firm in downtown Chicago, and I couldn't be happier. I will be starting my career at the beginning of next summer. The thought of this is somewhat daunting. I will be done swimming next spring and starting an entirely new chapter in my life very soon after graduation.
I have been swimming my whole life. I have barely had more than a couple weeks at a time outside of the pool. It is hard for me to imagine my life without morning practice. I might even miss morning practice'no wait ' never mind.
I have been thinking a lot about what I am going to miss the most from my time here. I think the main aspect is the team atmosphere and the camaraderie that I've become so used to over the years. I have spent hours upon hours with these guys in the pool. We get through so much together and pretty much spend all of our time together. I am going to miss the friendships that I have garnered, and the closeness that only athletic suffering can bring.
Numerous times throughout this entire semester I have been saying the phrase, 'This is my last '' It's funny how much more meaning simple events take on when you realize that they're never going to happen again. Whether it was the Arizona trip, or the bus rides to Iowa and Minnesota, I was trying to enjoy them a little bit more because I knew that there is no more 'next year ' for me. I am not going to remember the exact times I went at these meets, but I will remember all the fun I've had with my teammates and coaches.
Not only will I miss my life as a swimmer, but I will miss my life as a student in Madison. It's been hard to come to terms with the fact that I have no more UW football games a student. I am going to miss the work hard, play hard atmosphere that only Madison can provide. I am going to miss walking up and down State Street during a hot summer day or freezing winter night. I am going to miss wearing my Bears hat after a Packer loss, feeling those sneers. I am going to miss watching UW basketball games and hockey games at State Street Brats. (Though my fondest and worst memory at State Street Brats was watching the Chicago Cubs' playoffs run in 2003).
But for now I have to focus on making sure that my final few months here go off with a blast. I am so excited for the end of the year. This team has so much potential, and I can 't wait to see how good we can really be at the Big Ten championships and NCAAs. I am going to continue to squeeze as much enjoyment as I can out of the championship season and graduation. On Wisconsin!
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Steven Wiesner, Fr., Montrose, Colo.
When I arrived on campus here at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, I knew I had found the right college for me. Of course, I was a little nervous considering the fact that I came from a town that's half the size of the student body. So I knew that it would take me a little while to get accustomed to my new life. However, coming in on the swim team, I already had a group of friends that I knew I could relate to. Although moving away from home still wasn't easy, leaving family and friends behind, it really made me appreciate great friends that will always support you.
The swimming aspect is a completely different story. Back in Colorado, I was at the top of the state in high school swimming. I knew that coming into Division I athletics, I would be back at the bottom, trying to work my way up again. This came to no surprise, since my older brother (Eric) swam for the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and my older sister (Andrea) currently swims here. Of course, there is a huge difference between watching Division I swimming and actually being on the pool deck and competing with Olympians and world-record holders.
Obviously, the whole reason I came to college was to get an education. Coming out of high school, I felt like I was really prepared to move on to the next level. I wasn't quite as prepared as I thought I was. At the beginning of the year, I really didn't study enough, and I started off the semester on a rough foot. Since then I've been able to adapt, and I am doing well and enjoying class a lot more. This first semester was a really good eye opener, and it has allowed me to see what it is going to take later on to be successful throughout my years here, and later on into postgraduate studies.
What would college life be without the social aspect' Coming to Madison, I knew that there was going to be a lot of peer pressure when it came to hanging out with friends and going to parties. Of course, there are not always only negative aspects to parties. For me, it has been a great way to meet new people, and make some new great friends.
All throughout my swimming career in high school, I always had very specific goals that I would set for myself. I have tried to keep this habit as I enter the world of collegiate swimming, and I am looking forward to trying to place in the top 16 at the Big Ten championships this year. So far, I couldn't be happier with the decision that I have made for college, and I have no regrets whatsoever as I continue on to my second semester.
