Choosing a college is never an easy decision for an athlete, especially if you are being courted from schools around the globe. For broadcast journalism/creative writing senior Sasha Schwendenwein, the opportunity to leave South Africa and attend UH on a full scholarship to swim was too good to pass up.
"I got a phone call from (head swim coach) Mark Taylor, and he was very excited to offer me a full scholarship," Schwendenwein said. "In South Africa you have to make a choice – swim or study. I wanted to do both, and it was always my dream to be able to."
Schwendenwein said the academic programs and facilities the University offers attracted her to Houston.
"The Communication and English departments here are very good," Schwendenwein said. "The facility (at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center Natatorium) looked amazing…. I wasn’t swimming in a river or anything… (but) we don’t have anything like that in South Africa."
This season’s squad boasts a roster that resembles an international team, with swimmers from Canada, Germany, Hungary, Russia, Scotland and Zimbabwe. Ten of the team’s 24 swimmers are from overseas, which doesn’t surprise Schwendenwein.
She said coming from a different country makes her appreciative of the opportunities Houston gives her.
"I think when a student from overseas comes here they know they have to stay on the mark, work hard and get good grades, otherwise they will be shipped back," she said.
In high school Schwendenwein turned heads by taking home swimmer of the year honors as a junior and senior. Since joining the UH team in 2005, Schwendenwein has made an immediate impact, becoming one of the first Cougars to qualify for the NCAA championships in the 200-yard freestyle since 1996.
The accolades keep piling up. Schwendenwein was named C-USA Swimmer of the Week twice in 2007 and made the 2008 C-USA Second Team (200-Yard Freestyle). This year, Schwendenwein is one of the team captains and expects in-depth improvement from last year.
"We have so many girls where we can pick and choose events to pick what you’re good at," she said.
Schwendenwein still has personal goals she would like to accomplish in college, including making her mark on the international stage and continued success at UH.
"I qualified for the world championships next year. I swim for Austria now, and I want to try to make it for 2012 (Olympics)," Schwendenwein said. "This year I want to make NCAA, and I think I’d be the first person here in over 30 years to do so."
