'We've Got Your Back'

There were times early on Tommi Wolst wondered if he'd made the right decision.

The swimmer from Germany opted to transfer after two years at Cleveland State to seek new challenges – athletically, academically and personally. His first days at GW in August 2017 certainly proved to be that, whether he was on the pool deck, in the classroom or exploring his new surroundings in the nation's capital.

"The first three weeks felt like they were never-ending because I was always rushing from one place to the other," Wolst said. "It was a very stressful time."

Then came the simple moment Wolst was sure he was in the right place.

Amid the chaotic start, the new Colonial was telling teammate Andrew Cho about his packed to-do list and the pressures weighing him down.

"Dude, don't worry about it," Cho said, reassuringly. "Whatever happens, we've got your back."

Those words have stuck with Wolst throughout his first year-plus in Buff and Blue.

The senior International Business major has navigated every obstacle, thriving at GW in and out of the pool with the support of his newfound family. It's a feeling he hasn't had before in his swimming career, fueling the growth of one of the Atlantic 10's most versatile performers into one of the Colonials' most trusted leaders.

"For me, I think (coming to GW) was the best thing I could've done," said Wolst, who earned five medals at last season's A-10 Championships to help the GW men win their second straight title. "I couldn't have asked for anything more. All the opportunities I've been offered here, they're going to help me in my professional life, and they're going to help me develop as a person even more."

Wolst hoped to find this kind of second act to his college career when he made the decision to leave Cleveland State after earning six Horizon League individual medals in two years, highlighted by a win in the 100-yard breaststroke as a sophomore in 2017.

He targeted GW as a possible destination, reaching out to Max Forstenhaeusler, a fellow German whom he'd once hosted on a recruiting visit to Cleveland State. He pledged to join the Colonials before last season, understanding that it wouldn't be easy.

"I was ready for it," Wolst said. "I knew I had to step up my game."

The transition was a bit bumpy, but he dove into a crash course on life around Foggy Bottom, learning the day-to-day rhythms of the Colonials and the demands of the GW School of Business.

Right away, Wolst's easy smile, laidback attitude and obvious talent made him a favorite with his new teammates.

"He was pretty instantly a good fit for the team," senior Patrick Lersch said. "He really meshed well with everybody. He's just a really good, down-to-earth guy, so we've really enjoyed having him on the team."

Wolst's team-first mindset helped strengthen an already well-stocked GW lineup. In high school, he developed a reputation as a jack of all trades, and he's continued to drill every stroke in an effort to increase his versatility.

At Cleveland State, the 200-yard backstroke had been one of his top events, but with a solid backstroke corps led by NCAA qualifier Gustav Hokfelt, the Colonials needed Wolst to focus on the breaststroke.

In his A-10 Championships debut, Wolst ended up placing second in the 200 breast, third in the 200 IM and fourth in the 100 breast. He also picked up three relay gold medals to help the Colonials far outdistance themselves from the competition.

Looking back, Wolst marvels at the atmosphere inside SPIRE Institute. From his first race, he was boosted in a way unlike he'd ever felt before by the frenzied positive vibes coming from his teammates poolside.

"Everyone comes up to you (after your race), and they don't even care about your time," Wolst said. "They're just like 'You did great. You're awesome.' You really feel like you're part of a family. Literally. It's not only a saying. You can actually feel it."

Wolst has enjoyed his time in the District so much that he stuck around most of the summer to complete an internship at Playworks, a national nonprofit focusing on offering safe play opportunities for low-income youngsters in urban schools.

That's just another way that the transfer has opened doors for the son of a school teacher and an electrician who enjoyed a comfortable-yet-modest upbringing in the German town of Leipzig.

"Being able to go to a school like GW, it's really showed me I don't need to put any boundaries on myself," Wolst said. "There's no reason to think you can't do something. Sometimes you just have to take the risk, you know?"

Heading into his senior season, Wolst is poised for an even bigger role. He's comfortable now and eager to spread that feeling around the program, especially with a total of 19 newcomers between the men's and women's squads.

Upon his arrival at GW in July, head coach Brian Thomas quickly realized that. In every individual meeting with his new student-athletes, he asked about the leadership already in place.

"Tommi's name just kept coming up," Thomas said. "It's easy to see that he certainly has the respect of his teammates, and I think he's really earned it with what he's accomplished and the way he's done it."

There are still stressful moments, to be sure. They are just easier to handle now. It helps Wolst to remember he's where he wants to be with a pack of teammates who always have his back.

"I would say this year I'm a little more positive, a little more free," Wolst said. "I want to make sure that I have as much fun as I can and really enjoy my last year."

WATCH THIS: Josh Monacelli, Jackie Torrez and Jake Ortiz preview the season.

Two days til FIU! Josh Monacelli, Jackie Torrez and Jake Ortiz preview the season here! #RaiseHigh pic.twitter.com/Mqvk65eyyW
— GW Swimming & Diving (@GWSwimDive) October 3, 2018

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