By Ken Hansard
Thatcher Schmitz, a senior who swims the 100 backstroke and 100 freestyle for Wichita Heights High School, began swimming as a youngster after watching his older sister excel in the sport. He grew to love it, and he is now our VYPE poll winner in swimming.
Schmitz is a two-time First-Team All-City nominee. He has additionally been named to the Second-Team All-Metro Team, and he has placed as high as seventh at state. His goals for his final high school season are straight-forward, “I simply want to improve as a swimmer and a person, see my teammates grow in the same manner, and enjoy my time with my teammates.”
Thatcher knows that, as a senior, expectations are high, “I was named captain as a junior, so I know what is expected of me in that regard. As for personal goals, I would really like to be named All-GWAL for a third time, and I’d like to finish my career as a Falcon on the podium at state. That will be my last high school meet ever, and it will be a bittersweet moment, but I definitely want to make the most of it.”
After injuring his wrist in a car accident, Schmitz is even more determined to take nothing for granted. “In the offseason, I worked hard on improving my mental state and confidence.” That confidence, and Thatcher’s leadership, appears to be paying dividends, as he and his teammates, after finishing fourth in the City a year ago, are now challenging for a league title, “We are seeded second going into the GWAL Championship this weekend, and we’re looking forward to pulling off the upset and winning the league. We are seeing improvement from everyone. We have a lot of first year swimmers and seeing them grow the same love for swim that I have is really awesome to see!”
When he is not in the pool for the Falcons, Thatcher swims for the Derby Swim Club. He also played soccer for Heights and is a three-time section leader in Band. After graduation, he plans to swim for Ouachita Baptist University and major in biology so he can pursue a career in the medical field. He would eventually like to become an anesthesiologist.
