Michael Kyle Mollak | Elkhorn High School | Age 18
Michael grew up playing many sports as a child: basketball, football, lacrosse, hockey, track, and soccer. Sports were an important part of his childhood and he was always looking for a new sport to try.
The summer after fifth grade, Michael discovered there was a recreational league for swimming and wanted to give it a try between the other sports that he was playing. During that summer, he met Chris Jenson, the Elkhorn Stormin’ Antlers high school swim coach. When the season came to an end, it was Jenson that suggested he try club swimming and Michael did that during the winter of sixth grade.
Continuing to play multiple sports, as well as being involved with music, Michael faced the difficult decision in eighth grade of which sport to pursue in high school. Both swimming and basketball took place in the same season in high school. His love for swimming made the decision easier and ultimately grew so that Michael decided to make swimming his exclusive focus – and a year-round focus at both the high school and club levels.
In high school, Michael swims for the man that influenced him to try club swimming, Chris Jenson. As a member of the Elkhorn Stormin’ Antlers swim team, he won a state championship last year as a member of the 200 medley relay team, posting a time that earned an All American time. He was also a state champion in the 200 freestyle with a time of 1:40.79.
At the club level, Michael swims for the Greater Omaha Aquatics (GOAL). As a member of multiple relay teams, he has been helped set GOAL team records and Midwestern Swimming records in the 800 free relay, 400 medley relay, and the 400 free relay. His greatest individual accomplishment was achieved last summer when he swam a junior nationals time in the 100 breast stroke.
Michael’s swim accomplishments are numberous. As a senior he is the team captain and has been an athletic letter winner each year. He was also the team MVP as both a sophomore and junior. He currently holds eight high school records, including five individual events: 100 freestyle, 200 freestyle, 500 freestyle, 100 breast stroke, and the 100 fly.
When not in the pool, Michael is actively involved in Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD). He also enjoys sharing his love and passion for swimming with others. He volunteers at the Special Olympics and is a volunteer coach on the summer recreational swim team at Westgate Pool.
After graduating later this year, Michael will be headed to Missouri State University to study and swim. He is undecided on his field of study but is leaning toward education or the field of medicine. He wants to pursue a career that allows him to help people.
Michael is the son of Len and Elise Mollak of Elkhorn. He has an older sister, Clare, who is a senior at the University of Nebraska and a Springer Spaniel named Charlie.
