In the Locker Room with sophomore Kiri and first-year Bryne Ulmschneider discovers a world of small town Texas life, swimming like fishes and a sister cook-off. As the Valentine’s Day interview went on we learned a lot about the love of two sisters who share swimming ability, a strong dry land relationship and a healthy cooking competition.

MT: So exactly how long have the two of you been swimming?
KU: We both went to the same middle school and had the option of either swimming or PE class. So when we were each in seventh grade we started swimming to get out of PE.
BU: Yeah, I didn’t want to have to go to PE class. And CMO (the swimming program) was like the black hole. Once you joined you just got sucked in. No kidding. But we liked swimming anyway.
KU: Yeah, it sucked you right in. Our coach was so insane. He made you stay.

MT: Speaking of coaches, Dick Michaels, the head swim coach, is retiring after 36 years. How do you feel about his departure?
KU: I think we’re going to miss him a lot. He is such a unique person and the program will miss that next year.
BU: He tells a lot of fun stories. The program will not be the same without the stories. But Mark Fino, the head women’s coach, is taking over and he is amazing.

MT: What is it like to swim in the same pool as sisters?
KU: Well, during practice we’re so close in speed that we do not like sharing a lane, but we love being in lanes next to each other.
BU: If we are in the same lane it gets a little tight.
KU: The relationship is still a lot better than it used to be.
BU: Hello! I definitely remember times this year where we pushed each other in the pool.
KU: Yeah, but that was all out of fun.

MT: Is there any extra competition between the two of you because you are sisters?
KU: I’ve accepted that Bryne is faster than me but there is no real desire to beat her more than anyone else.
BU: I’m not that much faster than you.
KU: There was that time this year I beat you in the 200.
BU: Let’s not talk about that race. I was having a bad day. (turns and sticks tongue out at Kiri.)

MT: You two obviously have quite a strong relationship; did that have anything to do with either of you coming to Oberlin?
KU: Well, I practically begged Bryne to come here because I missed not being able to see her swim last year and she had a really good year.
BU: Kiri swam at conference and I didn’t get to see it. Coming here was a great decision and Kiri was a big influence.

MT: As athletes, what do you do to help give you an edge over your opponents?
BU: I let the hair on my legs grow out and then right before a big meet I shave them. The difference in the water is all mental; swimming is mostly mental.
KU: It is a mental sport, but I use a special swimsuit that has high tech ridges that channel the water faster.

MT: Well, for my final question this week: a big fan of the Ulmschneiders and a reader of ITLR wrote and asked if he could ask a question. E-mailed in, R_Kino_Fam69 would like to know who would win in an Iron Chef competition and what dishes would you prepare?
KU: (laughs) Bryne is a good cook but lacks my experience. Pumpkin pie or any other flavor pie by me would dominate Iron Chef.
BU: First of all, I cooked all summer for myself. Next, I could make orange rolls. They’re like cinnamon rolls but with orange instead. They are amazing and might beat some pie.