Out Takes!
Blaine Cooper-Surma '09
KD: It’s Bell Week. What do you think is most exciting about Bell Week?
BCS: There are so many things. Going to the game itself, seeing all of the alums that come back for the game, and I guess just being able to take a step back from school for a week to see a shift in focus to that of the students themselves...and the camaraderie on campus.
KD: Have you been guarding the Bell at all?
BCS: Unfortunately, I have not. Guarding the Bell is generally the responsibility of our freshmen, but one of my fondest memories as a freshman here on campus was staying up all night with the rest of my associate brothers anticipating the Dannies trying to steal the Bell from us.
KD: At the time, did anyone try and steal it?
BCS: Luckily, no one tried.
KD: You have a meet against the almighty Wittenberg Tigers on Friday before the big game. What is your outlook on the meet?
BCS: As always, swimming against Wittenberg is a meet that we cannot overlook. They always come to win and see us as one of their biggest meets for the year.
KD: Do you think that with it being Bell Week, that the guys are not really focused on the meet on Friday?
BCS: I think the guys are still focused on both. We just have to try and take care of business on Friday so that we can enjoy the rest of the weekend’s festivities.
KD: You originally hail from Free Soil, MI. Tell me about your hometown.
BCS: There is not really much to say about the village of Free Soil. We have a gas station, a post office, and a prison camp. Aside from that, the total population is about 180 people strong.
KD: How was your transition from Free Soil to Crawfordsville?
BCS: It really wasn’t that bad. I didn’t go to school in Free Soil, and traveled about 30 miles to nearby Ludington instead. I attended Ludington High School that had about 850 students, so it was very similar to the size of Wabash.
KD: Are there any plans to return to Free Soil after graduation, or is there a dream spot that you would like to live?
BCS: I don’t really have any plans to go back to Free Soil. At this point, I kind of see myself getting a job in Indianapolis and potentially living maybe just outside the city after a few years. I can see myself going back to Michigan maybe later in life—having a summer home possibly. Michigan is a beautiful place to live.
KD: What are you most looking forward to this year in swimming?
BCS: One thing I am looking forward to is seeing the freshman class improve and grow. From what I have seen thus far, they have a lot of potential. I am also looking forward to seeing a different team at conference this year. Hopefully we can inch closer to beating Kenyon and Denison, and then also potentially qualifying for nationals.
KD: As a junior, how has your role changed on the team this year?
BCS: I think we have a young team…and with that comes the responsibility of setting a good example and showing these guys what it takes to be successful in the water. We cannot always rely on potential, so it is up to the upperclassmen to set the tone for the younger guys.
This week has been a difficult one for Wabash Swimming and Diving, but it has always amazed me how supportive and family-driven this place is. Traveling as a team up to Kendallville, IN to attend the viewing services for Patrick yesterday was extremely tough on all of us, but we were welcomed with open arms for a team dinner at Mark and Laura O'Shaughnessy's house in nearby Fort Wayne following the services. With the help of Bruce and Julie Graham, Janine Routh, Mo Palmer and many others, the guys were comforted with some real home-cooking and a large spread of amazing desserts!
I could not muster the strength to say it, but in my mind I was thinking how lucky we all were to have had those few months--for in those few months, we were able to take away so many memories that reflect all the goodness in Patrick.