The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/480355
WHERE ARE THEY NOW? strong work ethic and the positive attitude that resulted in world-class performances. He was very quiet and unassuming, but he was a fierce com- petitor. "He will go down as one of the great freestylers in USA swimming history and can count numerous medals and records to his credit, but the lasting memories of Peter for me are from his collegiate days. His love of the Univer- sity of Michigan, his tenacious compet- itive nature, and his remarkable record at the Big Ten and NCAA level set the standard for all future Wolverines to follow." ❑ The Peter Vanderkaay File Michigan Accomplishments: Lettered at Michigan from 2003‑06, helping the Wolverines to the Big Ten title his freshman year … Won four individual national titles and one relay national title — as a sophomore in 2004 claim‑ ing the 400 freestyle (3:40.78), the 1,500 freestyle (14:44.53) and 800 freestyle relay (7:01.42), and winning the 500‑yard freestyle in 2005 (4:09.82) and 2006 (an NCAA‑record 4:08.60) … Touched the wall in first place in 10 individual Big Ten Championship races, including four consecutive conference wins in the 500‑yard freestyle to rank as one of only seven Wolverines ever to win an event four times at the league meet … Named the Big Ten Swimmer of the Year in 2005 and 2006, and the Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2003. Michigan Memory: "I grew up looking up to a lot of Michigan swimmers, guys like Tom Dolan and Tom Malchow. They were the heroes of the sport because of their Olympic success. And now, to be mentioned in the same category as them is humbling. "That's one of the great things about Michigan — the tradition continues. There are new guys like Connor Jaeger (2011‑14) that are carrying that torch, and there will be more to come. It's been a great program for a long time, and to be a part of something so powerful and successful for such a long time is a tremendous honor." Professional Accomplishments: Participated in the 2004 Athens, 2008 Bei‑ jing and 2012 London Summer Olympic Games … Won gold with Team USA as a member of the 800‑meter freestyle relay at the 2004 Olympics (7:07.33) and 2008 Olympics (6:58.56) … Took bronze in the 200‑meter freestyle at the Bei‑ jing Olympics (1:45.14) and earned a bronze in the 400‑meter freestyle at the London Olympics (3:44.69) … Still holds the American record in the 400‑meter freestyle (3:34.81) and 500‑yard freestyle (4:08.54) … Retired from swimming in 2012 and worked for Dandelion Consulting … Began working at Signature Associates (commercial real estate) in January 2015. Education: Earned a general biology degree from the College of LS&A in December 2006. Family: Vanderkaay is single and lives in Ferndale, Mich.