Junior Schulze leads team, betters skills

In his third season on the swim team, junior David Schulze has become one of the squad's most experienced swimmers as well as one of its most respected leaders. \n"One thing that Dave brings is leadership," sophomore teammate Adam Goff said. "He's always one of the hardest workers in practice and he's always got a great attitude about everything. He's a person everybody -- even a lot of the older kids -- can look up to and want to be like."\nHead coach Kris Kirchner agreed and said that Schulze, who began swimming at age 8, has improved each year to become one of the team's top swimmers. \n"He's developed into a high-powered member of the team, probably the go-to guy," Kirchner said. "He's matured in the whole process from a freshman who didn't have any experience with the week-to-week competition of college swimming to better the next year, and this year, better than ever."\nA native of Barrie, Canada, Schulze said he considered several Canadian schools but ultimately IU provided the best fit. Once here, Schulze didn't find it too difficult to adapt to his new surroundings. \n"The transition from Canada really wasn't that hard," Schulze said. "The hardest transition was just going from high school to college. But everybody goes through that."\nSchulze said that the example set by his sister had the greatest impact on his swimming career. \n"I think my older sister was the biggest influence on me," he said. "While I was growing up -- she's 10 years older than me -- she swam in college and did well. She never competed on as high a level as I do now, but I always looked up to her work ethic and dedication."\nSchulze has transformed that ethic and dedication into a successful collegiate career. So far this season, Schulze holds team season best times in the 100-and 200-yard breaststroke as well as in the 200-, 400- and 800-yard freestyle relays and the 200- and 400-yard medley relays. But Schulze credits his team with helping him to achieve success. \n"I think (my success) has been a combination of things," he said. "I like to think I have a good work ethic, but obviously having quality coaching and a good team to swim with are also very important."\nSchulze said his goals for the remainder of the season are to qualify for NCAAs and have a strong showing at the Big Ten Championship. As for his post-college swimming future, Schulze is still unsure.\n"That's something that I'll have to look at when I'm done college," he said. "If I'm still swimming at a world class level, maybe I'll keep going and swim with a national team."\nKirchner said he thinks Schulze has been an integral part of the team and has tremendous potential. \n"He's a very well-rounded person," Kirchner said. "Academically, he's a good student, and he's a hard worker. Sometimes I feel like I overlook him because he's consistent, doesn't say much, leads by example and is always working hard. Sometimes you kind of miss that, but I do appreciate him being on the team, that's for sure. I think he'll take to the limit what he's capable of doing"