When Matthew Stuckwisch entered Trinity Lutheran High School, he planned on playing tennis and throwing the discus in track and field for four years.

When the school added a swimming program his junior year, he said he was eager to add that sport to his list.

“I’ve always loved swimming, so I had to get back in the pool again,” he said. “My main events have been the 50 freestyle and the 100 breaststroke, but this year, I’ve been swimming the 100 free.”

He said a good time for him in the 50 free has been “a 22 high,” and he is definitely capable of swimming 22 seconds at sectional.

“But I have to do a lot of work to get there,” he said. “I like the 50 because it’s a fast pace. It’s you against the clock. You might have seven other people you’re swimming against, but you’re really not swimming against them. Everybody is going against the clock. I love racing the clock.”

The breaststroke offers a different challenge for Stuckwisch.

“I like the breaststroke because it’s more of a technical stroke,” he said. “It’s more how your technique looks, which helps your swimming. Having good technique, obviously, you can go faster. It’s just so different than the other three strokes. Your body has to be in sync with itself for you to swim breaststroke effectively.”

The Cougars practice in Columbus and have had meets at Seymour, Indian Creek and Scottsburg.

“You definitely get a different feel of the atmosphere at every pool,” Stuckwisch said. “At Indian Creek, it’s a fun meet, but it’s also an intense pool. Everywhere you go, you get that intensity from other teams, but you also get different home atmospheres that is fun to see.”

In the fall months, Stuckwisch played both singles and doubles on the tennis team.

He filled a No. 1 doubles spot his first three years and No. 3 singles last fall.

“I liked No. 1 doubles because it’s a fast-paced game,” Stuckwisch said. “I really liked No. 3 singles because it’s more one-on-one. The matches are longer, and it’s an endurance game and mental toughness.

“For me, singles is mental toughness. If you miss a shot, you have to be able to brush it aside and play the next point just fine, and you have to make adjustments on the fly. You have to read your opponent and put the shot where he’s not going to be at. I like that side of singles.”

He enjoyed playing on the Cougar’s courts.

“I loved the home matches,” Stuckwisch said. “I loved being able to play for my family, friends, and I also liked being able to represent Trinity at home. It was a great experience.”

The senior is looking forward to track season, where he hopes to increase his distance in the discus and compete in other events.

“Discus is about technique,” Stuckwisch said. “You have to get a good spin, and you also have to release at the right time, which I enjoy. I enjoy testing different ways. The power behind the spin is important.”

Stuckwisch was a high jumper his freshman year, and he plans on competing in that event this spring.

He said it is important to work hard in practice in all sports.

“Practice is the most important thing when it comes to sports,” Stuckwisch said. “It’s the backbone of every sport. You have to practice to get better. Being mentally tough is (also) an important part of sports. It will make or break a game, it will make or break an event because being mentally tough is almost the same as being physically strong.”

His older brother and sisters attended Trinity.

“At Trinity, the main part is I can express my faith openly without being questioned about it,” Stuckwisch said. “Trinity has helped me grow strong in my faith as well as my beliefs and ideals. I’ve been able to flourish in my academics. Trinity has amazing teachers that have helped me after school for a lot of time. I’ll come into their room and we’ll just work for hours after school. They love helping you. I’ve had a great four years, and I’m going to miss this place when I go.”

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Name: Matthew Stuckwisch

School: Trinity Lutheran

Parents: Jeff and Jackie Stuckwisch

Siblings: Daniel, Sarah and Leah

Sports: Tennis, four years; swimming, two years; track and field, three years

Athletic highlights: Tennis-Cougar Award, most valuable player; swimming-most valuable swimmer

Organizations: National Honor Society, student ambassador, Chess Club, events team, musicals

Plans after high school: Attend Concordia University Wisconsin

Favorite food: Pizza

Favorite team: Indiana University

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