Editor’s note: Senior swimmer Adam Ritter won two Pacific 10 Conference titles, one in the 200-yard individual medley and one in the 800y freestyle relay. The Wildcat caught up with Ritter to discuss his wins, the end of his senior year and being from Ohio.

Wildcat: As a senior, you won your first individual Pac-10 title. Give us your thoughts on that.

Ritter: It was surprising, honestly. I think it’s harder to win at Pac-10s than it is at NCAAs almost because you have teams like Stanford and Cal(ifornia) that are trying to make their standards, whereas we did that back in Texas. So, it’s definitely a good step going into NCAAs.

W: You were also a part of the 800y freestyle relay team that won, and you were on the winning team last year. What was different about this year?

R: First of all, we had …. three seniors on that team last year. So, we had three new guys. I’m the only guy who returned from that relay. It was just a completely new personnel for this relay. Those guys stepped in seamlessly. All three of those guys did a great job. There were a lot of questions coming into this meet about that relay because we won the NCAA championship in that. How do we replace the three seniors like we lost? And I think those guys answered the call.

W: Did you feel like you needed to step up in that situation because you were the only senior?

R: I felt the need to, but to be honest, it was those three guys behind me that really did the stepping up. Each one of the guys, I think they swam faster in that relay than they did in the individual event, so obviously they got up for it, relaxed, of course we were the best. They took some pride in it because they knew we were worthy (as) defending champions. They basically won the event.

W: What would you like to accomplish before the end of your senior year?

R: Well, aside from the team goals that we have, personally I’d like to end my career as an NCAA champion as well. It’s been a goal of mine for four years, and I think I have a good shot at it. Whatever I can do to help my team achieve the goals we’ve set forth as a team, that’s really what I want to do.

W: You’re one of seven people on the team between staff, swimmers and divers who are from Ohio. What are your thoughts on that?

R: That’s a good question. I don’t know. Ohio’s a great state. My parents are from Cincinnati so they know (UA head coach) Frank (Busch). They knew (assistant coach) Greg Rhodenbaugh. … Anyways, I guess that’s how we knew of him. We knew Frank way back in the day. He coached at the University of Cincinnati before this. That’s how I kinda got involved – the Ohio commission.

W: Since you’re from Ohio, and you’re an Ohio State fan, how did you feel about the Wisconsin-Ohio State game last week?

R: That was crazy. That was an awesome finish. I don’t know. Did you watch it? That last shot, I thought for sure was going to come up short, but they got it done in their own court. Now, they’re (the) undisputed No. 1, but we all know what happened in football. I’m kinda nervous. I don’t like Ohio State being No. 1. I’d rather have them be No. 2, so they can just come in and win it all. They got my hopes up in football, and I just got crushed.

– as told to Melissa Krueger