B1G Medal of Honor Finalist Spotlight: Katie Borchers and Tim Wetzel – Ohio State Buckeyes
4/9/2015 12:00:00 AM | General
April 9, 2015
The winners of the prestigious Medal of Honor will be announced at the annual Scholar-Athlete Dinner Monday. Each member institution in the conference gives the Big Ten Medal of Honor award annually to the male and female student-athletes in the graduating class who have attained the greatest proficiency in both academics and athletics. The Big Ten Conference office established the award in 1914 for men and an additional award for the top female was instituted in 1982. The award includes a $5,000 postgraduate scholarship.
Leading up to the announcement, the 10 finalists (five male, five female) will be featured on OhioStateBuckeyes.com. Read below for a Q&A with baseball outfielder Tim Wetzel and track and field/cross country standout Katie Borchers.
Katie Borchers, from Russia, Ohio, is one of Ohio State’s all-time best middle distance runners on the track and the most accomplished women’s cross country athlete in school history. She is the reigning Big Ten 800-meter indoor and outdoor champion, a four-event school record holder and Second Team All-American. On the cross country course, Borchers is the only two-time All-American and All-Big Ten honoree for the Buckeyes, last season leading the Scarlet and Gray to its second-ever appearance at the NCAA championships. Academically, Borchers is a 2014 Big Ten Distinguished Scholar, 2014 Capital One Academic All-District selection, a four-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and four-time Ohio State Scholar-Athlete. Borchers is majoring in exercise science, with plans to attend graduate school for physical therapy.
Looking back at your time at Ohio State, what are some lasting memories you will take with you?
Looking back, I will always remember the teammates I’ve had throughout the years and the numerous hours spent with them every single day. You get to know a person really well through running because what else is there to do than to share stories and talk about things on long runs?
| Katie Borchers |
What are some of the challenges that come with balancing athletics and academics, and how do you meet those tests?
Balancing athletics and academics was something I struggled with when I first came to college. The support I received from my family helped me to really start focusing on my schooling. When this happened, running started falling into place as well.
Why did you choose your particular major? How do you plan to use your education in the future?
Coming into college, I wanted to become a physical therapist. I researched different undergraduate majors that were common for individuals wanting to ultimately attend graduate school for physical therapy. That is basically why I chose to major in exercise science.
I could not have found a better major. Exercise science focuses on how the body works and the energy systems that are used when exercising. This is something that interests me a lot (maybe because I am a runner). It makes me confident I am entering the right profession in physical therapy.
Why did you choose to become a Buckeye?
Who wouldn’t want to be a Buckeye?! I wanted to attend a school that would push me both academically and athletically. Academically, Ohio State has a variety of different majors and I thought that if I would want to change my major, there would be something there for me. Athletically, I was not heavily recruited out of high school, but I wanted to compete in the Big Ten. I wanted to see how fast I could run and what I could accomplish as a Big Ten runner.
What advice do you have for freshmen just beginning their collegiate careers?
My advice to freshmen beginning their collegiate careers would be to work hard, listen to your body and be patient. For runners, coming into your freshman year means more mileage and tired legs, and as a result, slower times than desired and a whole lot of frustration. The best thing to do is to keep grinding away – results come.
Where is your favorite place on campus?
My favorite place on campus is the Oval, especially in the spring. When walking to class, I try to make it a point to walk through the Oval as much as possible. I am a slow walker as it is, but when it comes to walking through the Oval, I walk even slower just to look at everything.
If you could play any other sport at Ohio State, what would it be and why?
If I could play any other sport at Ohio State, I would choose basketball. I played basketball in high school. I wasn’t the greatest at it but I enjoyed the process of playing with a team of four other players on the court at all times. I used to love being in the game when it came down to the last few minutes and everyone was just excited to play and see what the outcome was!
Who is the person you admire the most?
The person I admire the most would be a tie between my parents. They’ve always been there for me no matter the circumstances. Whether I need a shoulder to cry on after a rough patch or support before a big race, I can always count on them to help me through anything and everything.
What does it mean to you personally to be a Buckeye?
For me, being a Buckeye is something more than I ever thought it would be. I would have never imagined I would be where I am today. For me, being a Buckeye comes with a sense of spirit and appreciation for this great university. The lessons I’ve learned here will be with me for the rest of my life, and for that, I will be forever grateful. Being a Buckeye has been everything I thought it would be and much, much more!
Tim Wetzel, from Mayfield, Ohio, was a 2014 NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship recipient and a member of the baseball team from 2011-14. The Buckeye outfielder collected 204 career starts, tallying 21 doubles, four triples and five home runs. The three-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar, three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection, four-time Ohio State Scholar-Athlete and three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection scored 103 runs and drove in 84 to go along with 30 stolen bases. Wetzel is just one of 10 Ohio State student-athletes to receive the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship since 2000.
Looking back at your time at Ohio State, what are some lasting memories you will take with you?
Without a doubt my most fond memory was freshman year when we swept TTUN by winning a doubleheader on Saturday. We won both games via walk-off fashion and then we sang the Fight Song in front of their dugout during our mosh pit; it was the greatest thing ever. Another memory that will be with me forever is when the whole team joined the Be The Match registry in honor of our teammate Zach. That is the true definition of a brotherhood.
| Tim Wetzel |
What are some of the challenges that come with balancing athletics and academics, and how do you meet those tests?
Oh man, it is almost too hard to explain. In order to compete at a level that is expected of an Ohio State student-athlete and also succeed in the classroom with great ambition, things must be sacrificed. Setting priorities was a big thing for me, some days studying was more important than sleep or eating right, and that’s just the way it had to be. I would love to see an average college student spend just one day in the life of a college athlete, it is not as glamourous as they all think.
Why did you choose your particular major? How do you plan to use your education in the future?
I chose to major in human nutrition because I have a genuine interest in the biochemistry behind it, and it also allowed me to study the human body. I will be attending medical school next fall at Ohio State, and my major will have prepared me for what lies ahead. Nutrition and medicine are intricately intertwined, and I am excited to have the opportunity to use my undergraduate degree at a professional level.
Why did you choose to become a Buckeye?
This was possibly the easiest decision I have ever made. Both my sister and brother already attended TOSU, and I always wanted to follow in their footsteps. When they offered me a scholarship to play baseball it was a no-brainer.
If you could trade places with any teammate for a day, who would it be and why?
Zach Farmer. His will power and positive outlook on a situation that would cause most people to give up is something that I will always admire. By living a day in his shoes all of my problems in life would seem miniscule, because in the grand scheme of things, they are.
What advice do you have for freshmen, just beginning their collegiate careers?
Enjoy the ride. Have fun!!
Where is your favorite place on campus?
Mirror Lake when the fountain is on….and also for the best tradition in all of college sports.
If you could play any other sport at Ohio State, what would it be and why?
Golf. What better way to impress a future business partner than shooting par at a nice course?
Who is the person you admire the most?
My dad has given me the best life advice I could ever ask for. My brother, Rob, has led a perfect example for me, as he is a third-year medical student, and without both of them I do not know where I would be today…and I do not want to find out.
What does it mean to you personally to be a Buckeye?
To me it means trying to achieve your greatest potential in whatever you are doing. If that’s your sport, great, if it’s in the classroom even better. Go out and be great, because at Ohio State, the resources are endless.
