Sept. 27, 2001

Erin Wilke: A Leader By Example

BY LAUREN BACON

If there's one thing senior diver Erin Wilke has learned during her time at MU, it's time management skills...that and how to become one of the best divers in the Big 12 Conference.

Erin, being the lone senior diver on the women's team, has stepped up to the plate with her veteran role.

"I try and lead by example by always being one of the first ones out there to get something done...really going out and always doing whatever I'm told," Wilke says,

This type of attitude has even coined her a nickname among teammates. "They like to call me Granny," Wilke says. "They make fun of me for how organized I am all the time and because I'm the old one on the team and always know what's going on. It made me mad at first, but now when they yell it at a meet it'll make me laugh and will help me to relax."

With this kind of support from her team and her own core of self motivation, Wilke hopes this season will give her the opportunity to take her diving to the next level. Returning to the Big 12 Finals for the third time on the tower tops Wilke's list of goals. She also hopes to move up on the springboard and qualify for NCAA Zones.

"I qualified for zones as a sophomore," Wilke says, "and I trained really hard last year and missed by about five points at two different meets, so it was really kind of disappointing. I dove really well at conference but was still a little bit away from qualifying.

And facing these challenges gets even more difficult while Erin takes on the tasks of not only a senior athlete, but also a senior student.

"It's really hard balancing the whole job search process and staying concentrated at practices," Wilke says, "just a little extra pressure I've put on myself to try and get a job."

Wilke also holds a spot on the Business School Student Council, Marketing Forum, and volunteers with the Marketing Department for MU Athletics while maintaining a 3.1 GPA.

Although Wilke has several goals for her last year at MU, she continues to fulfill her role as "Granny" by planning ahead for next year.

"As of now I think I'm going to start a job right after I graduate," Wilke says. "As a marketing major I'm looking into maybe sales or sports marketing. I want to try to stay around the midwest."

Until then she faces the upcoming season with drive and determination as both a teammate and an individual competitor.

"I'm going to really try to improve at meet situations by competing well and scoring well to do my part for our team," Wilke says. "I want to try to stay healthy and really have fun with it this year. That's my main goal...enjoy it and hopefully be happy with my season, and end my career on a high note."