Senior Salute: Steven Springer – Ohio State Buckeyes
1/27/2012 12:00:00 AM | Men's Swim & Dive
Jan. 27, 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 men’s seniors will be recognized Saturday, January 27, at a home tri-meet featuring Big Ten foes Penn State and Michigan.
Steven Springer made a short trip up Interstate 71 to get to Columbus, Ohio. The Cincinnati St. Xavier graduate came to Ohio State and the Buckeye swimming program as a fast freshman freestyler. In high school, Springer was a YMCA national finalist and a two-time All-State competitor.
“From when I was a freshman to now, I have developed so much diversity,” Springer said. “I have learned so much that I can carry into the rest of my life. I have learned so much about myself and others and I can take that attitude into life. I learned how to work hard.”
Springer started to swim in his junior year of high school. Most swimmers have been swimming since they were eight years old, yet Springer started at age 16.
“I was always into basketball, track and soccer,” Springer said. “I fell in love with the sport of swimming my junior year of high school and really became committed to it.”
Springer contacted Bill Wadley and made his own try out. The head coach thought he had potential.
“He gave me an opportunity and I was really grateful for it,” Springer said. “I tried to make the most of the opportunity, and looking back, I think that I have.”
With only two months left in Springer’s senior year, he has a lot on his mind.
“We have the winter invite left and, most of all, we have Michigan.” Springer said. “I haven’t beaten them yet in a dual meet, so I can’t wait to hopefully beat them.
“I just want to win a Big Ten title mostly. I want the guys to experience that again. I have met a lot of great people and made some good friendships at Ohio State.”
