Catawba's Minichowski Named 2024 SAC Men's Swimmer of the Year
ROCK HILL, S.C. (TheSAC.com) – Catawba's Maks Minichowski has been named the 2024 South Atlantic Conference Men's Swimmer of the Year, the conference announced Thursday (April 11).
The Lomianki Dolne, Poland native set five program records for the Catawba Indians in just his first season, shaving 2.33 seconds off the 100 Breaststroke record (52.94), 2.31 seconds off the 200 Freestyle (1:36.09), .47 off the 100 Freestyle (43.78), .13 off the 50 Freestyle (20.11), and .73 off the 400 Medley Relay (3:19.35). At the 2024 NCAA Division II Swimming and Diving Championships, Minichowski was named a two-time All-American as he finished 7th in the 100 Breaststroke and 16th in the 200 Freestyle.
Minichowski collected three conference titles at the 2024 SAC Swimming Championships, bringing home gold in the 50 Freestyle (20.11), 100 Freestyle (43.78), and the 100 Breaststroke (52.94). His time in the 100 Breaststroke set a new SAC Championship meet record, breaking the previous record of 53.26 set in 2023. He was also a member of four relays that collected third place finishes, including the 200 Freestyle Relay, the 400 Freestyle Relay, the 200 Medley Relay, and the 400 Medley Relay.
On the season, Minichowski holds the top time in the conference in the 200 Freestyle by nearly two seconds (1:36.09), sits at second in the 100 Breaststroke (52.94), and finishes third in the standings in the 50 Freestyle (20.11) and the 100 Freestyle (43.78). He also collected a conference-best four SAC WePlayed Sports Men's Swimmer of the Week honors for his efforts during the weeks of October 18th, November 20th, January 9th, and January 30th to cap off his stellar freshman season.