 "Photo: Debbie Finley; The Daily Texan")
You know the cliche. The one about the athlete who wants to go out on top and ride off into the sunset hoisting the championship trophy.
That couldn’t be more true for Texas senior swimmer Michael Klueh.
Klueh has had quite the career at Texas, holding five school records and representing Team USA in the 2007 World University Games, winning the gold medal in the 800-meter freestyle relay and medaling in two other events. He is a nine- time All-American and is looking to add a few more Big 12 championships to the 10 he already has this Wednesday.
But even with all of his awards and accomplishments, there is still one thing missing from his resume: a team national championship. And at the end of March, Klueh and the No. 2 Longhorns look to fill that void by winning it all.
“[A national title] would complete everything. It feels like there is something left out,” Klueh said. “This senior class has accomplished so much, and that is the only thing that is missing.”
The Longhorns last won the title in 2002, two years before Klueh was a freshman at UT. But Klueh was already on his way to becoming a swimmer for the Horns.
While attending Bowie High School in Austin, Klueh joined Longhorn Swim, a program run by Texas head coach Eddie Reese. From there the relationship was built, and according to Klueh, “It just seemed natural to continue my career at UT.”
One can understand the allure of swimming under Reese, who has produced 26 Olympians and has won nine NCAA titles since he arrived in Austin in 1978. Along with assistant coach Kris Kubik, Reese has established one of the best college swimming programs in the country.
“[Reese and Kubik] have made me the swimmer I am today,” Klueh said. “They are the best coaching combo in the world.”
Swimming is a family tradition for the Kleuh family; Kleuh’s older sister Elizabeth swam for Butler University from 2002-2004.
“I have always been swimming; I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t,” Klueh said, “I guess some of it had to do with my older sister who had a lot of success swimming.”
With the Longhorns favored to win the 08-09 NCAA National Meet, the opportunity for Klueh and the rest of the team is within grasp.
But first things first. The team must take care of business at the Big 12 meet Wednesday in Missouri. After that, Klueh, along with his teammates, may be a step closer to filling the one void in his legacy.
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