Jarrett Lieder, WIAC Student-Athlete Spotlight
Each week during the 2020-21 academic year, the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference will feature two student-athletes (one male and one female) from one of its eight institutions for a "Student-Athlete Spotlight" Q & A segment. The segments, presented by Culver's, will be also posted every Thursday on the WIAC website.
Name: Jarrett Lieder
Institution: UW-Oshkosh
Hometown (High School): Oshkosh, Wis. (Oshkosh North High School)
Year in School: Senior
Sport(s): Men's Swimming & Diving
Major(s): Biology
Minor(s): None
Why did you choose to attend UW-Oshkosh?
It was an easy choice for me. Attending a college close to home allowed me to continue to network with educators I had previously made connections with. Additionally, UW-Oshkosh gave me the opportunity to give back to my community.
What other clubs/organizations on campus are you involved in?
Aside from swimming, I am a coach for the local Special Olympics swim team.
What do you like most about competing in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and being a NCAA Division III student-athlete?
The decision to compete in the WIAC as a Division III athlete was one of the best decisions I have made. The size of the conference allows athletes to become familiar with athletes from other universities. These connections help build work ethic, humility and make racing more fun overall.
As a student-athlete you are given the opportunity to connect with a group of people you can immediately refer to as family. As time goes on, the bonds get stronger. While sharing the bond of competing, we help each other grow as athletes and as people.
What is your favorite…
Menu item from Culver's? Cheddar ButterBurger with Bacon
Flavor of the Day from Culver's? Snicker's Swirl
Non-Athletic Spot on Campus? Blackhawk Commons
Movie? Remember the Titans
TV Show? Shark Tank
Social Media Platform? YouTube
Food? Bacon-wrapped steak
Musical Group/Artist? Queen
Professional Sports Athlete? Bo Jackson
Hobby? Fishing
Quote/motto? "Champions are made, not born."
What is one word that describes yourself?
Dedicated.
What is your greatest sports moment?
My performance in the 500-yard freestyle at the 2020 WIAC Championship (took first place with a school-record time of 4:34.49).
Do you have any words of advice for younger/upcoming student-athletes?
Consistency is the key to success in everything. Consistency involves training effectively, eating healthy and getting plenty of sleep. Hard work and consistency will help you reach your goals in and out of the water.
What is your favorite thing to do off the court/field with your teammates?
Outside of the pool, I enjoy playing other sports with my teammates. Most swimmers move like fish out of water; therefore, watching swimmers attempt to play a sport on land can be comical.
If you could trade places for a day with a person, who would it be and why?
I would trade places for a day with our coach; hopefully, he would trade with me, so I can put him in as much pain as he puts us in.
What is your dream job?
Anything that allows me to retire at the age of 35.
Three things on your "bucket list"?
Dive in the Great Barrier Reef
Catch a tuna/grouper/shark
Go on an African safari
Do you have any pre-game/pre-event superstitions or rituals? If so, what are they?
I don't like to wait behind the blocks before a race. I try to stay stretched and relaxed and approach the block as late as possible.
What is your biggest "pet-peeve"?
Others not working hard.
2020-21 UW-Oshkosh WIAC Student-Athlete Spotlights
Nikki Arneson • Women's Basketball
Jarrett Lieder • Men's Swimmimg & Diving