December 2015 – Page 5 – Green and Gold

Swim and Dive Makes Big Splash in Competition

Published on December 7, 2015 in Sports by Grayson Blount

Photo: Brian Morgan // Coaches Trotter and Bufton
Photo: Brian Morgan // Captains: Ben Buckley, Chandler Marsh, Kyle Rappe, Abby Gardner, Ellie Bradach, and Sydney Weissman

The swim team at Wesleyan is ready to take over Davidson Natatorium for the winter season once again. With large meets on the horizon and stiff opposition, head coach Kevin Kadzis knows that his team must be prepared both mentally and physically. Looking to improve on last year’s strong showing at state, the Wolves have been working hard in both the gym and pool to increase the overall endurance and strength. Kadzis is very excited for the season. In an interview he said, “We are looking forward to a great season.” A great season it will certainly be.

Kadzis also named off a few of the key swimmers saying, “Certainly our captains will be important. Ben Buckley, Kyle Rappe, Chandler Marsh, Ellie Bradach, Sydney Weissman, and Abby Gardner.” If this year is to be at all similar to past years, captains will play into the direction of this team. Although talent is deep and young, the captains will have to lead their team with good attitudes and good spirit. Senior swimmer Grant Sauer has a very interesting way of describing swimming. The sport is difficult, and is like “riding a bike, except the bike has square wheels.”

Swimming is not meant to be easy, and all of the swimmers know that, but a love for the sport and the drive to win fuels their efforts every day. With the common goal of a state championship, the swim team know that they must be prepared to train the hardest that they ever have to achieve it. With a great senior class, the team is prepared for many records, personal bests, and Wesleyan top ten times will be broken. Already this season there have been top ten times from Ethan Moon (500 free and 200 IM), Ben Buckley (200 Free and 200 IM), Joseph Berney (Diving), and Kate McCahan (Diving). Although there have been many new top ten times, there will surely be more on the way as the season goes on. Senior captain Sydney Weissman is very encouraged by how the team is looking thus far this season. She said, “We have a lot of strong swims from younger swimmers. It is very encouraging to see them improving so much in practice and in meets. We are hoping to continue to see similar drops in time throughout the meets this season!”

Looking ahead on the season, the Wet Wolves will have a tough schedule with big meets against tough opponents coming up. Big meets this season include an away meet against GAC in January, Holiday Splash Invitational against many high classification schools in early December, and the Metro Meet in January. With large opponents, fast swims, and many lasts for the seniors, the Wet Wolves would love your support as a student body at upcoming meets and events.

Wesleyan Alumnus Wins $20,000

Published on December 7, 2015 in Uncategorized by Will Harper

Georgia Tech student and Wesleyan alumnus Scott Schroer recently won the Georgia Tech InVenture competition with a $20,000 prize for his innovative grill alert system. Schroer graduated from Wesleyan in 2010. He played on the state championship football team as a junior in 2008 and was crowned homecoming king in 2009.

Schroer and his fraternity brothers Alex Roe and Will Sweet started a company called FlameTech, and the Grill Defender is their product. The Grill Defender is designed to alert grillers when gas levels around their grill become dangerously high. The device can be easily fitted to any grill.

The three students entered the InVenture competition and came in first place. Schroer and his partners applied their studies at Georgia Tech in a practical way. Their experience has taught these entrepreneurs that resourcefulness and a willingness to learn are vital for success. Schroer’s major is in mechanical engineering, so his studies were very applicable to his invention, but he found that there was still a lot to learn.
“When you start out with an idea, even if you think you know a decent amount about the subject, you will inevitably run into something that is completely out of your wheelhouse,” said Schroer. For these three, the electronics proved to be more complex than they could handle without some help. YouTube videos, articles, talking to friends with more experience in that area and trial and error finally equipped the inventors with what they needed.

Schroer’s high school career at Wesleyan helped prepare him for college and entrepreneurship. “Wesleyan is where I feel my solid foundation in persistent and resourceful problem solving comes from which, I think, is the key to success in any professional field,” said Schroer. Wesleyan helps students develop time management and resourcefulness that are tools for success well beyond high school.

In regards to advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, Schroer said, “Just jump in with both feet, be willing to be persistent and acquire subject knowledge however you have to and ask for help.”

December 2015 - page 5