Sophomore Michael Dahle is not a pressure swimmer.
As a specialist in the long distance events, he can’t be. Otherwise, the daunting task that awaits him almost every meet-the grueling 1000-, 500-, and 200-meter races-would be too much too handle, even for someone enrolled in the notorious physical therapy program.
“I never like to think of any event other than the one I’m swimming next,” Dahle said. “Otherwise, I would just want to kill myself.”
Fortunately for the Saint Louis University swimming and diving team, Dahle has not killed himself. This would be tragic in more ways than one. Dahle’s consistently strong contributions to the team in meets have been steady and integral to their success, and replacing him would be near impossible.
Senior Justin Breithaupt, himself a formidable distance swimmer, echoes Dahle’s sentiments regarding the proper mentality for their line of work.
“When he relaxes, when he just has fun, he does so much better,” Breithaupt said.
The results certainly back this up. Dahle is the owner of the school record in the 1000-meter free, an accomplishment that Breithaupt considers his finest so far.
“He just went after the record,” Breithaupt said. “He didn’t lie down. He had two races after that, and he put for the same effort.”
But ask his teammates and his coach, and they will say that Dahle is capable of much more. His talent and potential are unquestionable. It is only a matter of making the most of his abilities.
“He has a good attitude some days and a bad one other days,” head coach Tim Halliburton said.
At practice, it isn’t uncommon to witness Dahle joking or socializing with his teammates, attracting a lot of attention in the process. This attitude can even carry into race day.
“Everyone knows where Michael is at all times,” Halliburton said.
But Dahle has a sense for when to become serious. Beyond his relaxed, joking behavior, Dahle displays true competitiveness and passion.
Breithaupt and Dahle practice together about two or three times a week.
“When we do practice together we’re really good at encouraging each other, but more than that, challenging each other,” Breithaupt said. “I hate being beat by Mike Dahle, and I know he feels the same way. And that’s not a negative thing; it’s just a competitive part of his nature.”
Dahle says he is getting into shape after an elbow issue limited his swimming over the summer. This is good news considering how successful he has already been this season, winning races ranging from the 1000 free to the 200 fly.
“It’s a matter of where his mind’s at,” Breithaupt said. “There will be days where he will have bad days. If he will just relax, he can really become a clutch performer. He literally could win every race he’s in.”
