Swimming and diving is still a relatively new sport at Franklin College.
But already, Artur Schneider is putting the Grizzlies’ six-year-old program on the map.
In the pool and in the classroom.
A native of Zurich, Switzerland, Schneider made history in March when he became the first Franklin swimmer to compete in the NCAA Division III National Championships.
Before that, he helped lead the Grizzlies to their second straight team title at the prestigious NCAA Liberal Arts Championships Meet.
But the junior-to-be is something more than just a top-flight college swimmer. He’s also an All-American in the classroom.
A biology major, Schneider recently was named a Scholar All-American by the College Swimming Coaches Association of America. For selection, swimmers or divers must maintain a grade-point average of 3.50 or higher and have competed at the national championships.
Schneider met both criteria.
A two-year standout for the Grizzlies, he’s a versatile swimmer who qualified for three events at the national meet in Shenandoah, Texas — the 100- and 200-meter backstrokes and the 100 freestyle. His best finish was 17th in the 100 backstroke, narrowly missing the 16th and final spot in the finals.
In February, he was named — for the second straight year — the Male Swimmer of the Meet at the NCAA Liberal Arts Championships. He won four individual events — the 200 individual medley relay, the 100 and 200 backstrokes, and the 100 freestyle — and was part of three first-place relays.
Wise finishes strong
Indiana State University sprinter Katie Wise recently concluded her junior season on national track and field stages in Eugene, Oregon.
In mid-June, the former Indian Creek High School standout earned Second-Team All-America honors at the NCAA Outdoor National Championships. Competing in the 100-meter dash, she narrowly missed a spot in the finals with a ninth-place finish in her preliminary heat.
Wise placed 14th overall with a preliminary time of 11.27, which was good enough for All-American recognition.
“Katie had a bit of a rough start but charged the finish line very well,” Sycamores coach Angela Martin said. “She ran a good time in a really fast heat but just finished outside of qualifying.”
Wise returned to Eugene two weeks later for the USA Outdoor National Championships, where she competed in the 100 and 200 dashes. She finished 22nd in the 100 and was 25th in the 200.
Her time of 11.24 in the 100 was the sixth-fastest among college competitors at the meet.
One of the Missouri Valley Conference’s top sprinters throughout her career, Wise won three events at the May 15-17 league championships was named the women’s Most Outstanding Performer. Her highlight was a first-place finish in the 100, which he achieved with a personal-best time of 11.15.
