Wolverine Athlete Spotlight: Molly Schaefer
10/2/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming & Diving
Senior co-captain Molly Schaefer kicks off the 2014-15 season Wolverine Athlete spotlight as the Maize and Blue prepare to open up against Big Ten foes Iowa and Nebraska (Oct. 3-4).
Q. How has your preparation changed as not only a senior, but as a captain?
A. It is a lot different because not only am I focusing on my own races, but I'm pouring myself into others a lot more and making sure every single person on the team -- those who travel, those who don't travel, those who win and those who don't win -- is feeling good and ready to go. It's important we all know our roles on the team as leaders, as swimmers, as teammates and encourage one another.
Q. How would you describe the team's mindset heading into the opening weekend?
A. We are all really excited -- everyone has been saying to each other, 'I am so ready to go,' and 'let's get this started,' -- because in year's past, we have had a meet by now. We just want to get out there, get started and race. We are ready to start the season right.
Q. What has the experience been like over the last month of training and having the whole team together?
A. I think we are definitely living up to a quote that we learned while doing The Program (leadership class): 'One Team, One Heartbeat.' As time has gone on, we have been drawn into that mindset and become more and more bonded. There is a process of getting to know the freshmen, but now we're on the same level. It is cool, I'm a senior and they are freshmen, but that doesn't matter: we are teammates. We are all in this together and we all have the same purpose. That's our motivation.
Q. How has the highly-touted freshman class acclimated to Michigan?
A. They have blended in really well and really smoothly. They came in as great swimmers individually, but they are realizing that they are great swimmers on a team. It is really exciting to see that being fostered. They have talent, but their talent serves the team now.
Q. What have the freshman learned about swimming for Michigan?
A. The first meet will be exciting -- you see the enthusiasm during practice. We are all cheering 'Go Blue' together and the freshmen are getting it and cheering 'Go Blue' -- they are latching onto this dream, and realizing that this team was being built way before all of us. I think the first meet will be a combination of all of that (energy) and the whole weekend will be exciting.
Q. What moments are you looking forward to this weekend?
A. I always get excited for that moment when you finish a race, you warm down and you're a little tired, but you get back to the sideline of the pool and you start cheering for everyone. It's exciting to see my teammates doing that for me, and cheer for my teammates -- it really motives me and the team.
Contact: Michael Kasiborski
Players Mentioned
