by Laura Boffa
When asked to describe the relationship between Oberlin College swim team sisters Kiri and Bryne Ulmschneider, Men’s Head Swimming Coach Dick Michaels suggested, “They are just like any other sisters. There are times when they don’t get along, and there are times when one is stressed out and the other comforts her.”
While the sisters may squabble, they are far from your ordinary set of siblings. Kiri, a sophomore, and Bryne, a freshman, have followed parallel paths, graduating valedictorians of their high school and enrolling into Oberlin with the prized Stern Scholarships, prestigious science scholarships given by the college. To top off their impressive academics, both Ulmschneiders have conquered the Oberlin record books, both swimming multiple top five races.
After an investigation of colleges, Kiri Ulmschneider decided to apply to several liberal art schools. She sought a college with a competitive science program and a swim team. For her, what set Oberlin apart from the other schools fitting the bill was its financial benefit. Bryne also scoped the liberal arts selection and determined that Oberlin had something to offer that other academically strong schools did not. A musician on the side, she saw the benefits of Oberlin’s conservatory, she felt at home among the Oberlin swim team, and at Oberlin she would be reunited with her sister. Although Kiri and Bryne had not initially planned on attending the same college, one year missing each other turned it into a factor in Bryne’s decision.
Bryne recalled, “After looking at the big picture, I knew that Oberlin would be the best place for me.” Now immersed in the Oberlin experience, the sisters have no regrets. Bryne contested, “I love the people here, the team, the professors. There aren’t a lot of things that I don’t like about Oberlin.” Her focus, now that she is here, is to choose a major from the science department.
Kiri agreed that she enjoyed the classes as well as the overall atmosphere of the college. Planning to major in Biology when she arrived, she participated in chemistry research at Oberlin over the summer and took interest in Biochemistry. She currently aspires to graduate in an Honors Program. While the classes are challenging, she has found that herself less competitive with other students and more competitive with herself. She also pointed out how compatible the academics are with playing a sport. “I like that I can swim here and still go to school,” she said. She then added that there is an emphasis on academics over athletics, and with swimming she can do a large portion of her training over winter term when there are no classes to interfere. The atmosphere of the swim team is slightly less competitive, which she has found to be more fun overall.
Oberlin has had a tradition of siblings on the swim team. If all are like the Ulmschneiders, it’s probably because of the balance of competition and support that exists between them. Both claim that they often get very competitive, which pushes them to work harder. On the other hand, Kiri said, “I don’t think anyone else is happier when we do well than the other one.”
Kiri’s name appears eight times within the top-five records. Of these, two are all-time bests. In 2004, she grabbed the top time in the 200 butterfly with 2:15.75, and in 2005 she swam the school’s fastest 400 individual medley in 4:44.55. She aims to top these times this season and also break her personal best in the 500 freestyle.
Just in her first season, Bryne has already made the record charts as well. She holds the second fastest time in the 200 freestyle with 2:02.70 , the fourth fastest time in the 500 free, and was a member of the fastest 800 free relay as well the third-fastest 200 free relay. Her ambitions match her sister’s: “It would be really fun to break records in the 500, 200, and mile [freestyle].” After a year without each other, the sisters will make the most of their next three years together, cheering each other on the pool deck and in the classroom as they strive to excel.
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