Daniel Keller is a sophomore on the UW-Whitewater Swim and Dive team. Keller was voted one of three team captains as just a sophomore. Last season he posted an impressive performance in his freshman year at the WIAC conference meet. Keller was a part of the fourth-place 800 freestyle relay and placed seventh in the 200 breaststroke, eleventh in the 200 individual medley, and eighth in the 400 individual medley. Keller has helped lead the Warhawks to a hot start going 2-0 in their first two meets over Illinois Tech and UW-Oshkosh.
Keller, a graduate of Papillion-LaVista High School in Omaha Nebraska had a strong High school career as well. Keller was a state championship qualifier all four years of high school with his specialty being the 100 breast.
Keller doesn’t just get it done in the pool but has had success in the classroom at UW-Whitewater. Keller was named to the UW-Whitewater Dean’s list both of his first two semesters.
Q: What made you choose UW-Whitewater?
A: I chose UWW because of the people I met on my recruiting trip and the general feel of the campus and team.
Q: What are some of your goals for this season?
A: I want to be top eight in all of my events at the conference meet. I was top eight in two of my events last year so being top eight in all three of my individual events would be a good improvement for me.
Q: What are some of your team goals for this season?
A: I think our main team goal is to move up at the conference meet going from fourth to third in the conference. Compete with teams that beat us last year and get better as a team. Some of our other goals are to move up and compete at our mid-season meet at the Wheaton invite placing higher than last year.
Q: What is something you are excited about after the first three meets?
A: I like the energy that we bring as a team so there is more of a team atmosphere. People are swimming fast and competing so it really brings the team energy up.
Q: What is a change you have seen so far this year?
A: It just goes back to that team atmosphere we are competing as a team and the energy level at meets has been high.
Q: How do you balance being a student-athlete?
A: I try to keep a structured schedule. After practice is always the time for me to do academic work because I know if I put it off it’ll cause stress in both the pool and school.
Both the men’s and women’s swim and dive programs will be participating Tuesday in the National “Hour of Power” Relay for Sarcoma Research Day. The Royal Purple will have coverage of the event next week.
