Lehigh University Athletics
Lehigh's Flothmeier a true leader bound for success
12/14/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Swimming and Diving, Swimming and Diving, Women's Swimming and Diving
Out of the pool, Flothmeier has achieved many things that he can be proud of. The combination of his commitment to swimming and his difficult major, civil engineering, might seem daunting, yet it hasn’t bothered him. In fact, Flothmeier has excelled in his field of study.
He has been a member of the Dean’s List three times, was three-time member of the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll, has a cumulative GPA of 3.37and was recently awarded for his accomplishments with the Moles Civil Engineering Award. This award is presented to the civil engineering student whose academic achievement and application show outstanding promise for a career in construction engineering and management.
After graduation, Flothmeier plans on pursuing a career in either structural design or construction management.
In the pool, Flothmeier has accomplished much. His successes include being the 2003 freshman swimmer of the year, earning the Coaches award in 2004 and holding both Lehigh’s record and the Jacob’s Pool record in the 100 and 200 yard breastroke as well as being a member on the 400 yard medley relay that placed first last year at the Patriot League Championships.
His academic and athletic successes don’t surprise his coach, Rob Herb.
“Grant has impressed me in every aspect,” Herb said. “He handles everything methodically. He is self-motivated with everything he does and he’s a flat-out hard worker. Grant is conscientious about what he’s doing and puts 110% into everything he does.”
When asked what swimming accomplishments he’s most proud of, Flothmeier’s answer is interesting. Although he describes himself as a “Competitive person that likes to get up and race,” he speaks of winning the relay last year well before he will talk about his individual accomplishments.
“Relays just seem more important because of the team aspect,” he says.
Indeed, Flothmeier has made a commitment to the team that sets a standard.
He is a captain for the second straight season and seems to always put the needs of others before his own.
“I’m proud to be a captain because it means that I’m someone the team can look up to and it’s a good opportunity to be a team leader,” Flothmeier said.
According to Flothmeier, his goals for this season include wanting to see the whole team improve, motivating his teammates and improving his personal times-in that order.
“He sets the standard for the team,” Herb said. “Out of the pool, he’s respected by his teammates and they look up to him for advice. He’s the type of guy that will fight for you if something needs to get done, but he’s not boisterous or overly vocal, he just seems to always do the right things for his team and himself.”
Herb seems to describe Flothmeier perfectly.
“Grant’s the kind of guy that will go to every Lehigh-Lafayette meet after graduation no matter what he’s doing in his personal life,” Herb said. “In time, Lehigh may consider Grant for into the Penske Hall of Fame. His successes are going to continue into the future.”
Story by Stephen Graham, Lehigh Sports Media Relations
