Michael Wolfe the last in line of family swimmers at SIU

Saluki senior swimmer Michael Wolfe has cultivated a successful swimming career at SIU.

The Bloomington native has recorded times in long-distance events that ranked in the national top-25, he's won multiple events at meets and recorded top-five finishes at the MAC Swimming and Diving Championships over his years at SIU all while earning spots on the MAC Swimming and Diving All-Academic teams.

Wolfe has had his fair share of success at Southern Illinois, but he isn't the first member of the Wolfe family to find success in the pool at SIU.

Since 2009, a member of the Wolfe family has swam for the Saluki Swimming and Diving team. In 2009, the oldest Wolfe brother, Justin, joined the team at SIU. In 2012, middle brother, Shaun, joined Justin on the team. Three years later, Michael became the third Wolfe to swim in a Saluki swim cap when he joined Shaun on the team for the 2015-16 season.

The Wolfe family tradition of swimming started in a simple and practical way.

"When we were young, my mom put the three of us in swimming lessons because she didn't want us to drown if we were ever stuck in the middle of a lake," Michael said. "Just like any other kids we played a ton of sports when we were younger… We excelled at swimming early. I like to think that's because all three of us have a drive to be better at anything we did. Swimming is a sport where if you put in the work it will reflect back more so than other sports. In my opinion it isn't about talent, but how hard you work."

That work ethic has pushed the Wolfe family to some impressive accolades at the collegiate level.

Justin won four MAC Conference titles in his time at SIU while being named to the All-MAC First Team in 2011 and 2012. His performances at SIU earned him a chance at making the U.S. Olympic Team at the 2012 Olympic Trials.

Shaun was on 200-yard freestyle and medley relay teams that set SIU records that still stand today.

At one point, when Michael was a sophomore, all three of the Wolfe brothers held pool records at SIU. Shaun and Michael's times still stand as pool records.

The Wolfe family tradition of swimming at SIU nearly ended with Shaun however. Michael originally had little interest in following his brother's footsteps from Bloomington to Carbondale.

"When I was growing up everyone would comment that I would go to SIU like my brothers. Because of that I actively looked at other schools. I looked at Minnesota and Buffalo," Michael said. "I've known Rick [Walker] since Justin was swimming here, so I knew he was a great guy and a great coach. When I came on my visit here I just fell in love with the team. Everyone just felt like a family here, even when I was a recruit."

Michael's decision to come to SIU paid off. This year he will lead the Salukis into the 2017-18 season as one of the team's captain. He said he hopes to see the team grow and sustain that growth throughout the season in his final year.

"Every day I come in and I do my best. I do my best to motivate everyone around me," Michael said. "If I can inspire even one person to do the same after I'm gone, then I've done a good job."

Michael is the youngest Wolfe brother and therefore the last to swim at SIU. Even if a Wolfe isn't present on the team, it is likely that the impact the family has made will last long after Michael Wolfe finishes his career at SIU.

Michael and his teammates open the 2017-18 season on Friday at 5 p.m. against Lindenwood at the Dr. Edward J. Shea Natatorium.

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