MARQUETTE, Mich. - With the swim and dive season now in full swing, senior swimmer Luke Pettinger looks to lead the men's team to a victorious season full of new personal records and heartfelt memories. 

The Marine City native kicked off his swim career at the age of six when he joined a recreational league. Six years later, he moved on to join the club team and ended up finding an immense amount of joy in the sport. Throughout those years, Pettinger realized that his specialties lie in the 100-yard and 200-yard Butterfly, 200-yard IM, and 100-yard Freestyle.

"You grow into it, you find your niche aspects. What you really progress well in, and mine was the Butterfly because of my shoulders, and I was always able to dominate that event at my younger age. I had my most success in the 100 and 200 fly. Even the IM in general I was very good at – the more explosive stuff. That's what really pushed me to be that kind of swimmer," said Pettinger. 

Although athletics have played an important role in his life, Pettinger's journey throughout these past four years has allowed him to recognize the importance of maintaining good grades and a solid GPA. "I feel like, almost, athletics have kept me in check for school because in high school I was never a great student… I was never studious," said Pettinger. 

After starting off his college career by being on the list for academic probation, Pettinger began to push himself to earn the grades that he desired and now he considers that first semester to be one of the best he's had yet. "I was held to that standard to perform academically and perform on the team. I became an all-around better student. I think especially, coming to college, and you're learning what you want to learn, it helps," said Pettinger.

The construction management major was inspired to pursue that path due to his blue-collar roots. With many relatives, including his grandfather, father, twin brother, and cousins, who have become electricians, it seemed that a similar calling was like second nature to him. Pettinger mentioned that one of the many role models in his life happens to be his father, "My dad has always taught me to be a good human, and stick to what I believe in. To always work hard. He taught me work ethic is everything in the field, and knowledge is everything," said Pettinger. 

Along with striving to maintain a strong work ethic and grades, Pettinger is motivated in athletics and his personal life by bettering himself in general. "It used to be wanting to be a point scorer for the team, but right now, I think I'm going to be a little selfish," said Pettinger. "Just continuing to progress every year, I want to see my times drop and I want to get to my peak physical form before I'm done being a college athlete. I want to see myself succeed… and I want to help contribute to my team"

As the fall semester continues into its second half, burnout and mental health struggles are an ever-prevalent occurrence for students, especially the ones involved in athletics. "Swimming is definitely an escape, it's a very mental sport, so, you come on the pool deck and you kind of leave your problems at the door. That's kind of the beauty of it, because you get two hours of just focusing on bettering yourself mentally, physically, and your all-around well-being," said Pettinger. 

While the cheering and words of encouragement on the pool deck are a positive influence to everyone on the team, the bond they have formed with one another extends beyond just that. "We can come to each other. We established that early in the season… we're all a family here and we're all safe together," said Pettinger. "Everybody has different experiences at college and you can go to any of the upperclassmen and they have shared an experience that they're [the underclassmen] having." 

With his final season being kicked into high gear, leaving a legacy seems more important than ever. "I want to leave Northern as an example of good leadership. I want to be on the pool deck and be that energy, I want to bring that energy to the pool deck, and even at practice, I want to come in with a good attitude," said Pettinger. "Even on my bad days, I want to come in with a good attitude and I want to encourage my team and lead by example." 

You can catch Luke and the Wildcats back in action on January 20 when they dive into the PEIF Pool for a meet against UW-Green Bay