April 30, 2002

MANHATTAN, Kan. - For many brothers, sibling rivalry in sports can be pretty intense. But brothers Dustin and Dylan Schmidt actually enjoy competing on the same team.

Dustin, a junior pole-vaulter, and younger brother Dylan, freshman combined events participant, share their love for track at Kansas State University.

This love developed at Andale High School where both Dustin and Dylan became state champions. Dustin was a two-time state champion in the pole vault and posted the 11th-best jump in the nation as a senior in 1999 with a mark of 16-1. Dylan lettered four years in track and field, while becoming the 4A-state champ in the pole vault twice. As a senior, he placed third at the U.S. Junior National meet in the pole vault with a finish of 16-1.50.

Dustin loves having a younger brother on the same track team at the collegiate level.

"We have been jumping together since we first started," said Dustin, who encouraged his brother to attend Kansas State, but thought Dylan would choose another school. "When he did decide to come here, I was really happy."

Dylan is equally happy to be on the same track team as his older brother, though he does feel some pressure competing against his well-accomplished brother.

"I put more pressure on myself than anybody because I have high expectations," Dylan said. "Yes, I feel pressure from him, but I also feel pressure competing against everyone else, too."

The brothers credit their parents, Mark and Becky Schmidt, for their successes. Their parents have always supported and encourage them in their endeavors and have come to as many track meets as they could.

Dustin says Mark Schmidt, who participated in high school track, was the one who got them interested in the sport.

"When he started coaching us, he really got more interested in the sport," Dustin said. "We went to camps all of the time and learned everything that we could about it. He know when to coach and when to back off."

Their mother has always been supportive, too, says Dylan

"She would come to every practice and videotape our jumps so we could improve," he said. "The way they supported us has meant a lot."

As a freshman, Dylan has accomplished a career high at Kansas State with a mark of 16-6.75 at the KSU Open. This height placed him 4th in Kansas State history for Indoor all-time Top 10's for Men.

This jump is right behind is older brother who is 3rd in KSU history with a mark of 16-7.50, which was accomplished at the Adidas Invitational. Both placed third at their respective meets.

Dylan competes in a variety of events, depending on where the coaches need him. "They uses me where they need me in order to better the team," Dylan says.

Long jump, shot put, and the high jump are just a few of the events that he competes in. Even though he competes in an array of events, pole vault is his favorite.

Now a member of the Kansas State track and field team, Dustin recently finished sixth in the pole vault at the Big 12 Indoor Championships. His jump of 16-7.25 is just inches from the qualifying national level of 17-2.25.

Dustin has a burning desire to qualify for nationals, and is training to become faster and stronger.

"I want to be an All-American," he said.

As for his little brother, Dustin wants Dylan to remember a few things: "Keep doing what you are doing. Most importantly, do what the coaches say to do."