John Malich The
Independent Collegian
"Before I
get on the blocks, I say a prayer and thank God for the opportunities he has
given me with his blessings," said
Wittenmyer, a
senior majoring in clinical exercise science and co-captain of the women's
swimming and diving team, then exudes another strength -- her physical strength
that is the result of hundreds of hours in the weight room and the pool since
her freshman year at UT.
As a competitive
swimmer, Wittenmyer faces the grueling schedule and pressures of other student
athletes.
A typical Monday
has Wittenmyer waking up at 5:20 a.m. and lifting weights for an hour and 25
minutes, then she moves to the pool until 7:30 a.m. -- her first practice of
the day, she said.
She returns home
to eat breakfast, spends time in faith devotion and takes a nap until she has
to be at her first morning class at 10 -- this semester she's taking 15 credit
hours.
Classes last
until 2 p.m., when it's time to return to the
Dashing home,
Wittenmyers eats and studies as much as she can until 8:45 p.m., when the
Christian athlete group Athletes in Action meets until 10 p.m.
After 17 hours,
Wittenmyer can stumble into bed before waking up and starting a similar process
the next morning.
"I have had
to manage my time since high school," Wittenmyer said, adding that time
constraints are something all student athletes are familiar with.
Her hours of
training pay off when Wittenmyer hits the water, however, and she said her best
event is the 50-yard freestyle.
"Swimming is a total body workout, and for the
sprints that I do having an equally strong upper body as a lower body to kick
is very important," she said, her statement validated by strong arms and
shoulders.
Her toned
muscles are the result of relentless training that requires year-round
attention -- practice starts as soon as school begins to prepare for the
October through January season, and she seeks extra training with the Greater
Toledo Aquatic Club during the summer, she said.
Still nursing
her injured ankle, this weekend's meet against
However,
Wittenmyer said she is no stranger to being sidelined. In the past, she has
missed time for having mononucleosis and thoracic outlet syndrome.
"There was
a time when I wanted to quit because of my injuries, but I see that as a sign
of weakness, and I would never give in to that thought," Wittenmyer said.
"I use my sport to express my faith. It's my morals; it's my values; it's
how I live my life."
Dedication,
inspiration, commitment and motivation all characterize a good leader, and
Wittenmyer fits the role well as co-captain, said head coach Lars Jorgenson.
"We would
be lost without her," Jorgenson said. "She is like another coach out
there."
Jorgenson said
Wittenmyer's positive attitude and influence toward swimming has sunken into
the younger swimmers.
Perhaps part of
her wants time to stand still -- once the MAC championships are finished, she
is finished competing.
"When that
day comes, it will be a sad day," Wittenmyer said, adding that she is
still excited for the MAC championships.
At least when
the championships are over, Wittenmyer can look forward to spending more time
with her friend and roommate, Jen Whipple, a fourth-year student also majoring
in clinical exercise science and a red-shirt junior on the UT women's soccer
team.
"How often
we get to hang out with one another depends on what season we are in,"
Whipple said. "But even then, we have to leave most of our time for
socializing for the weekends."
Besides swimming
and classes, Wittenmyer finds time to participate in other activities, such as
Athletes in Action and Campus Crusade for Christ, where she is a representative
for the Student Academic Advisors Committee to the athletic department.
Student athletes
have concerns other than cramming socializing and sleep into their busy
schedules if they want to continue playing their sport: their academic
eligibility.
Brian Lutz,
assistant athletic director for compliance, detailed specific requirements
student athletes must meet to remain active.
"Grade point
average must be 1.8 for each of their first two semesters and 2.0 for each
semester thereafter," Lutz said.
By his or her
third year, a student athlete must declare a major and have 40 percent of his
or her credits completed. He or she must then complete 60 percent of their
major by their fourth year and 80 percent by their fifth year, Lutz said.
After she
graduates in May, Wittenmyer's positive actions will have the opportunity to
present themselves again.
"I want to
give back to the sport that has given me so much, whether it is coaching or any
other way I can make a difference," she said.
(C) 2006 The
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