Senior Salute: Bo Wullings – Ohio State Buckeyes
1/26/2012 12:00:00 AM | Men's Swim & Dive
Jan. 26, 2012
Columbus, Ohio –
With Senior Day fast approaching, OhioStateBuckeyes.com will take time the next two weeks to feature each Buckeye graduating this season. The senior members of the women’s swimming and diving team will be recognized Saturday, January 21, at McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion in a dual meet vs. Michigan, while the men’s seniors will follow Friday, January 27, at a home tri-meet featuring Big Ten foes Penn State and Michigan.
Bo Wullings
Bo Wullings has not been in Columbus as long as his senior teammates, but his story is just as impactful.
The story started in Amsterdam, where swimming isn’t as popular as it is in the United States. Wullings was born in the Netherlands and started swimming in grade school. From there he rose to prominence; he was the National Champion in the 200 freestyle his senior year.
“We don’t have as much school spirit over there.” Wullings said. “It is all at home and on your own time.”
Wullings used his time wisely and was accepted to swim at the University of New Orleans. As a Privateer, he held multiple school records including the 500 and 1650 freestyle.
Unfortunately, Hurricane Katrina cut Wullings’ time in the Big Easy short and he was left without a college team for which to swim.
“The team in New Orleans was destroyed with the crisis,” Wullings said. “I had to commute 30 minutes every day to Tulane my freshman year. It was rough.”
Wullings was still looking to swim at a big-time program, and Ohio State came calling. “I wanted to keep swimming in Division I and I reached out to everyone,” Wullings said. “Bill Wadley emailed me back saying that they could use a tall Dutch kid on the team.”
Since then, Wullings has competed in distance freestyle for the Buckeyes and has succeeded in and out of the water. He was an OSU Scholar-Athlete last season and is in line to add another classroom accolade this year.
“I am just thankful that the guys took me in,” Wullings said. “I fit in well with them and I am very fortunate to be here.”
When asked what he will remember from Ohio State, he insisted that just being here was crazy enough. “To be a part of the Ohio State family is ridiculous.”
