OUR 40TH ANNIVERSARY! - Swim ...
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
OUR 40TH ANNIVERSARY!
Cover design: Mike Navarro
Physically Challenged Athletes Scholarship Fund
Swim With Mike scholarship
recipients gather at 2019 event held
at the USC Uytengsu Aquatics Center
Saturday, April 10, 2021
1
Founded and Hosted by The University of Southern California
Truly inspiring
We celebrate your commitment to helping physically challenged athletes
through the Swim with Mike Scholarship Fund.
First virtual Swim With Mike
Donald Gorsch
Execut ive Director
62 6.405.8201 Streaming live on Facebook and YouTube
UBS Financial Services Inc.
2 0 0 S . Los Robles Av e, St e 600
P a sa d ena, C A 9110
6 2 6 . 4 49.1501
Saturday, April 10, 2021
4 PM Pacific Daylight Time
Visit Swimwithmike.org for more information
3
Swim With Mike Mission Statement
April 10, 2021
To provide financial resources for the advanced education that paves the way for physically
challenged athletes to overcome their tragedies and realize their full potential.
Established in 1981, Swim With Mike was started following what was planned as a one-time event: a
Swim-a-thon organized by former teammates of Mike Nyeholt. Mike, a three-time All American
swimmer at USC who graduated in 1978, ranked ninth in the U.S., 13th in the world and a competitor
in the 1976 Olympic trials, was paralyzed from the chest down following a motorcycle accident in
January 1981.
It’s almost mind boggling to think we’re celebrating our 40th Swim with Mike event this year…..
The first event was held in March of 1981 as Swim For Mike, to raise money to purchase a specially
When I first rolled onto the pool deck at the Industry Hills Aquatic Center back in 1981, I was overwhelmed by the equipped van for Mike. The Swim-a-thon was highly successful, raising $58,000; significantly more
outpouring of love and support of friends and family. Fast forward to today, and those feelings have been multiplied by
what we call our ripple effect. than was needed for the van. At Mike’s suggestion, the excess funds were used to create the Physically
Challenged Athletes Scholarship Fund, the only one of its kind in the country.
When Ron Orr and Mara Hunter Redden called on my family, friends and swimmers from across Southern California to
“Swim for Mike”, they had no idea that 39 years later their intent to help me overcome a physical tragedy in my life would Since 1981 Swim With Mike has become an annual event held at Uytengsu Aquatics Center at USC. In
morph into an ongoing event that over the past years has accomplished the following: addition to annual events at USC Swim With Mike fundraisers have been held at UCSD, Hawaii, The Rose
• $25,000,000 Total raised since inception Bowl Aquatics Center, UCSB, CAL, Stanford, University of Arizona and Roll With Cole at the University of
• $1,065,096 Total scholarship dollars awarded in 2020-2021 Richmond have held satellite Swim With Mike events to raise money for the USC Physically Challenged
• 55 Current scholarship recipients in 2020-2021 Athletes Scholarship Fund.
• 46 Universities Nationwide
• 201 Alumni Scholarship Recipients Potential recipients are located through media outreach, USC community members, Swim With
• 256 Total scholarships granted
• 60 Total sports represented Mike Board members and supporters, rehabilitation facilities, hospitals and the USC Admissions and
• 132 Total universities represented Financial Aid offices. When volunteers come across information about newly injured athletes, they
make initial contact to introduce the Scholarship Fund and determine the possible interest in pursuing
or continuing university education.
I’d like to thank the University of Southern California, President Carol Folt and Athletic Director Mike Bohn for
participating in today’s event and their continued support of the USC Physically Challenged Scholarship Fund and our
primary fundraising event Swim with Mike. We cherish our relationship with USC and look forward to the many years
ahead. Eligibility requirements for scholarships our applicants must:
Thanks to all the volunteers, our Board of Directors, student staff, swimmers, and donors who come out year after year
to make our effort such a success . Without you, none of the above would have been achievable. • Have participated in organized athletics prior to the illness or injury
• Have suffered an illness or injury resulting in a physical disability which, substantially
And finally, a special thanks and congratulations to all of our recipients, and their families, both past and present who limits every day activity (e.g. paralysis, blindness, cancer, amputation, head injury)
continue to inspire us with their incredible strength and fortitude in overcoming their own personal tragedies and • Meet the admission requirements of a four year or graduate level institution
through advanced education have ,or will, achieve their life’s full potential. You have, and will continue to inspire all of • Make satisfactory progress towards their degree after college acceptance
us to achieve ours too!
• Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 cumulative and be “in good academic standing”
Sincerely, • Demonstrate financial need
For more information visit:
www.swimwithmike.org or email swimwithmike@gmail.com
Mike Nyeholt
4 5
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
Carol L. Folt Ph.D.
President
Robert C. Packard President’s Chair
April 4, 2020
Dear Swim with Mike family and friends,
As Swim with Mike celebrates its 40th anniversary, it’s a privilege to honor your outstanding
work. Your dedication means so much to so many, especially the physically challenged athletes
whose lives have been changed by your kindness and generosity. Your support also speaks to the
leadership of Mike Nyeholt and the countless volunteers who donate their time and energy every
year to make this event a great success.
Working with each other, and for each other, you’ve made a major difference. You have my
deep appreciation for everything you’ve done—and continue to do—for hundreds of student-
athletes across the globe. I hope you enjoy the 40th year of Swim with Mike at USC.
With gratitude,
Carol L. Folt
President
6 7
Swim With Mike Board of Directors Swim With Mike Board of Directors
Chairman of the Board Daryl Holmlund
Mike Nyeholt Teacher - Long Beach Polytechnic - Alumni Scholarship Recipient
Retired Senior Vice President Sales and Marketing of Capital Group Companies, Los Angeles
Nate Higgins
Founder & Executive Director Broker with Windermere Group One - Alumni Scholarship Recipient
Ron Orr
Associate Executive Director Rose Bowl Aquatic Center. Todd James
Retired Senior Vice President at Capital Group
Event & Volunteer Coordinator
Mara Redden Jennifer Johnson
Volunteer fundraiser and event planner Senior Attorney - The Law Office of Jennifer R. Johnson
Nancy Atkinson Loretta Abdun-Nur Joseph
Former USC Assistant and Rosebowl Game Sports Information Director Educator/Business Owner/Specializes in Fundraising for Non-Profit Organizations
Natalie Buchoz Helaine Lopes
Director of Public Relations & Social Media AmeriClinics Enterprise, Alumni Scholarship Recipient USC Faculty, Exercise Physiology
Kathleen DeCristo Neil Macready
Former Assistant Director of Development - University of Southern California Athletics Vice President of Advancement at Pitzer University
Amir Ekbatani Gregg Millward
Entrepreneur & Alumni Scholarship Recipient USC Center on Philanthropy & Public Relations
Nick Enriquez John Naber
Attorney Advisor, Social Security Administration Office of Disability San Bernadino, Alumni Scholarship Principal, Naber & Associates, Inc. (Broadcasting, Speaking, Consulting)
Recipient
Mike Navarro
Thomas Fuelling J.R. Navarro & Associates Inc.
Retired CEO of Lawry’s Foods and a current member of Lawry’s Restaurants Board of Directors
Nancy Phillips
Bruce Furniss Chief Operating Officer Telehealthcare, Inc.
Senior Director Berkabia Real Estate Advisors
Marilee Pischel
Becky Gramstrup University of Southern California Athletics Business Affairs
Director of Development, USC Athletics
Dan Redden
Jennifer Gray Organization Development Consultant
Retired Disneyland Cast Member
Troy Remelski
Kaia Hedlund Founder Conquest Media LLC
President - Kaico Sports
Continued on page 10
8 9
Swim With Mike Board of Directors
Dan Rosenthal
CEO UnitedHealthcare West Region
Patrick Stanton
Business Development Consultant
Torn Fusion Productions proudly presents
Swim With Mike
Michelle Strauss
Fixed Income Senior Business Analyst, Capital Group
Betsy Thomas
Founder Project Walk/President - Thomas Capital Inc. The Documentary
Michael Thomas
Founder - Project Walk - Retired Executive - Coca Cola Company
Betty Van Wagener
Retired School Psychologist
Patrick Walsh
Senior Vice President and Wealth Management - Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
Stephany Walsh
Spirit of Troy Band, Norris Cancer Hospital Auxiliary Board
Elizabeth Winston
Development Consultant
Development and Communications
Cindy Somer
Coming Soon
For more information about how to watch the Swim With Mike documentary, visit
swimwithmike.org and sign up for our newsletter. We will be releasing information as it
becomes available.
10 11
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS AND SPONSORS THANKS TO OUR 2020 - 2021 LANE SPONSORS
GOLD SPONSORS SILVER SPONSORS BRONZE SPONSORS Steven Auth Fredric F. Kay Mary Sheperd
Sandra & Danny Bane Katherine & Michael Ker Family of Claire Snow
$25,000 and above $10,000 to $25,000 $5,000 to $10,000
Michelle & Michael Belicki Dorothy Kim Judith & Robert Spare
Annenberg Foundation John & Hilda Arnold Foundation ABJO Partnership Karen & Bob Blair Karen Ulman Knapp R. Rand Sperry
Yvonne Bogdanovich Jacqueline Bagnard Beta Theta Pi Alumni
Gregory Board Lisa & Victor Kohn Gary Sposito
Patsy Dewey & Family Capital Group C. Charitable Foundation Kimberly Carson
James M. Dennis Yvonne Bogdanovich Rosemarie & Jeff Lewis John & Lori Stanton
Elise Ebbert Tatiana & Todd James
Suzi & George Frischmann Richard & Loretta Joseph Michael Genova Denise & Steven Botsford Mary Lou Lyons Paula & William Steele
Bernice Gogo Karin Larson Betty Jo Glenn
Frank Brown Gale & John Machin Mary & Max Stites
Margaret Johnson Latitude Wines, Inc. Daryl Holmlund
William Hurt Woodworth Chum Neil Macready Daniel C. Struve
William McMorrow Helen & Jack Nethercutt
Ronus Foundation Mike Nyeholt Joyan & Edwin Illsley Sue Cimbaluk Carolyn & Thomas Matthews Peter Tarr
Cathy & Tod Spieker Gale & John Machin
Ann & Richard Cooper Tom Maudline Deanna & Richie Tatum
Lee Sukraw Jane & Robert Malcolm
Kathleen McCarthy Nancy Cypert James Maxwell Family Wilfred & Kerri Uytengsu
K.T. & E.L. Norris Foundation
Jersey Mike’s Franchise Systems G. Willard Miller Foundation Joyce & Robert Daniels Kirk McGowan Vandy & Betty Vanwagener
Mills Trust
Christine & Terence Dedeaux Carolyn McIntyre Waikiki Roughwater Swim
Mara & Dan Redden
Edward Roski Joanna Dees Kpamma & John McNamee Watson Land Co.
Linda & John Seiter Nancy & Wallace Ebner Josie & Steve Molina Wells Fargo
Patrick Stanton
Lisa Ellerton Ann & James Mulally Coletter Wilbanks
Trojan Club of San Gabriel Valley
WHH Foundation Sue & Jim Femino John Naber Robert L. Winston
Latitude Wines Kay Fisher Kimberly C. Nicholas
Susie & George Frischman Patrick Nichols
Candie Fritschner Nici & C.L. Max Nikias
Linda Marie Fritschner Mike Nyeholt
Tom & Sherry Fuelling Meredith & Scot Obler American Endowment Foundation
Bruce Furniss George Ochsner Beta Theta PI Alumni
ANNIVERSARY CLUB Jill Garling
Linda & Will Gassett
Christine M. Ofiesh
Judith & Don Oliphant
California Community Foundation
Cashion Foundation
($100 for each year of Swim With Mike, currently $4,000)
Doreen & Glenn Gee Ron Orr Crissman Family Foundation
Ella & Scott Brittingham Steve Gilner Geraldine & Richard Peckham David Vickter Family Foundation
Marianna & David Fisher Roger Goodan Lynn & Bill Poland Greater Alliance Foundation, Inc.
Terry & Greg Hargrave Rosemarie Gunning Margaret Quattrin Ibar Settlement Company
Michael Loynd Paul G. Haaga Suzanna Rabe Jerome S. & Grace H. Murray
Christine M. Ofiesh Greg Hargrave Mara & Dan Redden Foundation
Margaret & Victor Quattrin Kristi & Steve Hendrickson Troy Remelski KLM Foundation
Nate Higgins Jeannette Roessle Lycette Properties Inc.
Richard M. Hunsaker June & George Romine Schwarb Corporation
Jennifer Johnson Law Office Meredith & Daniel Rosenthal State Farm Mutual
Loretta & Richard Joseph Roger Rossier Automobile Insurance
Anses & Louise Joseph Jean & Roy Scharer TB Philly, Inc.
Kappa Kappa Gamma Vicki & Mark Schmitmeyer William McMorrow III Foundation
Fori & Robert Kay Jay Shepard Workman Molina
12 13
2021 ENDOWMENTS 2021 ENDOWMENTS
Endowment funds that our program will be funded in perpetuity, as the principal remains intact while the interest
funds generated are distributed to the Physically Challenged Athletes Scholarship Fund. An endowment is created THE FURNISS FAMILY AND FRIENDS SWIM WITH MIKE ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
with a minimum $100,000 which may be paid over a five year period. Our SWM Endowment Fund is currently more In recognition of Bruce’s 2018 SWM Claire Snow Award for Volunteer of the Year, the Furniss family established The
than $3.5 million which generates $175,000 in annual scholarship support; our goal is to support our mission in Furniss Family and Friends Swim With Mike Endowed Scholarship. The Furniss brothers - Bruce (USC 1979) Chip (USC
perpetuity. 1973), Steve (USC 1976) and Craig (USC 1981) well exceeded their goal.
Current recipient: Austin Brotman - Stanford University
THE YVONNE BOGDANOVICH ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
MAYER-LEAHY ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
This endowed scholarship was established in 2013 when Yvonne Bogdanovich generously contributed $250,000 to
guarantee one of our scholarships in perpetuity. Yvonne’s generous gift will go far in ensuring that her family will The Mayer-Leahy Scholarship Endowment was established by a gift of $250,000. All income generated from this
continue to support physically challenged athletes for generations to come. endowment will go to a USC Swim With Mike Scholarship.
Current recipient : Myles Molnar - USC Current recipient of this Scholarship is: Jake Javier - Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
ROSEMARY KRAEMER RAITT ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIPS THE AMIR EKBATANI ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
The Rosemary Kraemer Raitt Foundation Trustees Cheryl Hammond and John Kraemer have made three generous gifts Swim With Mike alum Emir Ekbatani (USC MBA 2016) generously established an endowed scholarship intended to help
to the Swim With Mike Physically Challenged Athletes Scholarship Fund by establishing three endowed scholarships other physically challenged athletes as he was helped by the Physically Challenged Athletes Scholarship Fund. This
which will provide funds in perpetuity to three of our highly qualified scholarship recipients. Each year, we will have gracious act of paying it forward will ensure that this scholarship will endure in perpetuity and that one of our highly
three Rosemary Kraemer Raitt scholars representing the Foundation. qualified students will be awarded this honor annually.
Current recipients: Kale Hyder - Johns Hopkins University Current recipient: Kelly Sakaguchi - UCLA
Corben Brooks - UCLA Law
Brad Bauer - Missouri
THE SHAWNA MARI HUNTER ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
MARILYN MIKOS ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
Shawna, Mara Hunter Redden’s sister, gifted a Swim With Mike endowed scholarship upon her death in 2017. SWM had
always held a special place in Shawna’s heart and she truly supported the mission and life-changing impact that our
The Marilyn Mikos Endowed Scholarship will guarantee one of our scholarships in perpetuity and will ensure that her
Physically Challenged Athletes Scholarship Fund has provided to so many.
family will continue to support physically challenged athletes for years to come.
Current recipient: Kendra Muller - Taylor University of San Diego School of Law
Current recipient: Andrew Donnellan - University of Arizona School of Law
THE JENNIFER WALSH ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
HERB NOOTBAAR ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
This endowment was established in the memory of Jennifer Walsh who was a recipient of Swim With Mike in 1993. In
Long-time USC philanthropist and friend Herb Nootbaar generously established an endowment fund for our Physically 1994 Jennifer lost her battle with Osteosarcoma Cancer. Jennifer’s family began this endowment in 1994 and each year
Challenged Athletes Scholarship Fund. Herb’s endowment will greatly strengthen the future of Swim With Mike as the contributors have the opportunity to donate to the Walsh Endowment.
funds are invested in perpetuity and only annual interest is spent from the account.
Current recipient: Gaby Martinez - USC
Current recipient: Dillon Connolly - USC
PATSY DEWEY AND FAMILY PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED ATHLETES SCHOLARSHIP FUND ENDOWMENT THE MARA HUNTER REDDEN SWIM WITH MIKE ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
Long-time Swim With Mike friends, Patsy Dewey and her family endow two scholarships for a physically challenged Mara was a co-founder of SWIM WITH MIKE Physically Challenged Athletes Scholarship Fund in 1981 and has organized
athlete in perpetuity through Swim With Mike. Patsy is well-known for her generous support of USC Athletics and the every USC Swim With Mike event for 40 years. In addition to her loyal volunteer work, she has now created an endowed
Libraries. scholarship which will be awarded to a deserving, qualified student in perpetuity.
Current recipients: Chase Wagner - USC
Alex Ruiz - USC
14 15
2021 ENDOWMENTS 2021 CHALLENGES AND CLUBS
THE MILLER CHALLENGE
WILL AND LINDA GASSETT OPERATING ENDOWMENT
To date, the G. Williard Miller Foundation has contributed over $500,000 to the Physically Challenged Athletes
Will and Linda Gassett made the initial gift of $100,000 to establish the Swim With Mike operating endowment.
Scholarship Fund. Through the generosity of the chairman, Stephen Miller and the inspiration of Mike Thomas,
The income from this endowment is used for the operation of Swim With Mike.
the Miller Foundation matches all donors who contribute $400 annually or $10 for each year of Swim With
Mike.
THE ANNIVERSARY CLUB
THE KARIN LARSON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CHAIR
The Anniversary Club was started by Al Centofante at the 10th Anniversary of Swim With Mike to honor each
This endowment was established in 2011 when Karin Larson generously contributed $500,000, the largest
anniversary of the event with a $100 gift. A gift for the 40th Swim With Mike is $4,000 donation.
single donation in the history of the Physically Challenged Athletes Scholarship Fund. This gift established an
endowment for a Swim With Mike Executive Director position, in perpetuity.
THE TOD SPIEKER MASTERS CHALLENGE
The Tod Spieker Challenge matches monies raised from all swimmers participating in the Masters Challenge.
Past & Present Recipients, SWIM Brunch 2019 SWIM Board of Directors, SWIM Brunch 2019
16 17
SILENT AUCTION PRIZES PREVIOUS WINNERS PRESIDENT GERALD “OUR “ FORD
1913 - 2006
President Gerald &
AMUSEMENT/ENTERTAINMENT HANDBAGS & ACCESSORIES WINE & ACCESSORIES Betty Ford IN HONOR OF A LIFETIME OF HELPING PEOPLE
Aquarium of the Pacific Merle Norman Gift Basket Orrefors Decanter 1988
Automobile Driving Museum MudPie Makeup Bag Flask Mittens Merlin Olsen
Comedy & Magic Club My Wallit Wallet Wine Purse 1989
The Comedy Store Ashley Schenkein Jewelry Waterford Marquis Stemless
Irvine Lanes Glasses Anita De Frantz
1990
Japanese American National MUSEUMS Callaway Vineyard Tour & Tasting
Museum Broad Museum Herman Story Magnum Betty White
Disneyland Park Hoppers Museum of Tolerance PRP In-Home Wine Sampling 1991
LA Zoo Natural History Museum Experiences
Billy Shoemaker
Medieval Times Talley Vineyards Tour & Tasting 1992
Oue Skyspace RESTAURANTS & MORE Makers Mark custom engraved
USS Iowa Art’s Deli whiskey bottles Rafer Johnson
Bistro Garden 1994
Pacific Park/Santa Monica Pier SWM Wine Decanter
Rage Ground Brent’s Deli Dave Taylor
Richard & Karen Carpenter Duke’s Huntington Beach PHOTOGRAPHY 1995
Performing Art Center Elmers Figge Photography
Christopher Reeve
Rose Bowl Aquatic Center Hennessey’s Tavern, LegacyBox 1996
Santa Monica Beach Club Redondo Beach
SeaWorld San Diego Miceli’s Restaurant MISCELLANEOUS Tommy Lasorda
SkyDive Santa Barbara LA City Fire Station #15 Teeth Whitening 1997
O’Charley’s Custom Macrame Décor Wallis Annenberg
ALL THINGS USC Pink’s Famous Hot Dogs Autographed Sugar Ray Leonard 1998
Lunch with President Folt Red Onion Gloves President Gerald Ford has been deeply missed by Swim With Mike.
USC Decanter & Candy Jar Shin Sen Gumi Restaurant Marble Cutting Board Lynn Swann His involvement dates back to two years after his son, Steven,
1999
Two USC Associates passes & Swag Wally’s Desert Turtle French Press with Coffee started swimming at the event. In 1988, at the 8th Annual Swim
Baseball Youth Camp & Jersey Western Bagel Mara Hunter Redden with Mike, President Ford was named the first Honorary Chairman
Golf Gear 2000 of the Physically Challenged Athletes Scholarship Fund. This honor
THEATRE & TRAVEL is now known as the President Gerald and Betty Ford PEOPLE
USC Hotel Stay & McKays
Jason Sehorn HELPING PEOPLE AWARD, recognizing philanthropic individuals.
Tour of Iovine & Young Academy & Aquarius Casino 2001
Swag Blue Dolphin Inn Ford was a key part of one of the best memories of Swim With Mike.
Youth Tennis Camp & Swag Catalina Express Rod Dedeaux In order to kick off the 8th Annual Swim event, Mike Nyeholt visited
Swim Bag Gear & Swag Catalina Island Co. 2002
Ford at his home in Palm Springs and gave him swim lessons.
Hotel Metropole Rodney & Holly Mike’s shirt read, “I Swam with Gerry”, and Ford’s read, “I Swam with
CLOTHES InterContinental Stephen F. Austin Robinson Peete Mike”. This Classic event will be a part of Swim With Mike history
O’Neill gift basket Hotel 2004 forever.
Hurley gift basket Island Packers
Kevin Sorbo Ford left a legacy. He may be gone, but he will not be forgotten.
Marriott Ko Olina ... And much more!!! 2005 His spirit will live on with the Swim With Mike family forever.
WigWam Arizona
Cody Unser
2006
18 19Emma Bailey Nicholas Balenger Corben Brooks Jeremy Boyd
Meredith College William and Mary Law UCLA University or Alabama
Spring 2023 Spring 2020 Spring 2023 Fall 2022
Emma learned early on that she was a Nick is from Oceanside, California Corben grew up playing football, Jeremy grew up in Birmingham,
gifted athlete. She played many sports where he grew up and fell in love with basketball, and golf. He planned to Alabama and played baseball,
starting at age 5 but concentrated on sports. He enjoyed baseball, soccer, play football at the United States Coast football and wrestling. As his high
volleyball starting in middle school basketball, tennis and snowboarding. Guard Academy and become a rescue school hosted one of the top football
and added track in high school where After the family moved to Virginia Nick helicopter pilot. However, during a programs in the country that sport
she ran the mile and competed in the concentrated on baseball winning the football game, Corben tackled another soon became a priority. The 6’ 4” young
pole vault. She was involved in many clubs as well and was 2012 Virginia State Championship while earning a 3.8 grade player and landed awkwardly. After surgery, Corben awoke man worked his way up to the varsity team and played for a
elected president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in point average and National Honors Society accolades. Nick to a diagnosis of C5-6 Quadriplegia. Thanks to Swim With year at Delta State. In 2013 he started working in construction
her senior year. The day of her senior picnic went from one of was just starting to receive recruiting calls from college Mike, Corben received a Bachelor’s from USC in 2017 and and loved working with his hands, the people and the sense
the best days of her life to a day that changed her life forever. coaches in the summer before his senior year when his a Master of Health Administration in 2019. Corben’s desire of accomplishment. All that ended when on the night of
Following the picnic she lost control of her car while family traveled to Maui on vacation. On the first day he dove to empower disabled individuals has led him to the UCLA December 8, 2016, he was shot in an attempted robbery and
going around a sharp curve. The car flipped over and hit a into a wave and broke his C4-C5 vertebrae on a sandbar. The School of Law. As a lawyer, he intends to use his experience the bullet clipped his L 3 vertebrae resulting in an incomplete
telephone pole. Rushed to the hospital where she stayed next thing Nick knew he was laying on a hospital bed in the to effectively advocate for the disabled community. spinal cord injury. After a month in the hospital, frustration
for four months she was diagnosed with paralysis from the same hospital he was born in 17 years earlier. Nick was able and hopelessness were taking over. Upon his release, on a trip
chest down but fortunately no other major injuries. Emma to return to school and graduate with his class walking with to the local farmers market he met two women who like him
treats her rehabilitation as she did her training for athletic a walker across the stage to receive his diploma. Nick was in were in wheelchairs. They encouraged him to try wheelchair
competition and has made great strides. Meredith College is Washington D.C. visiting his Grandparent on September 11, tennis at a local clinic and he was immediately hooked. He
her dream school and she is so happy that Swim With Mike is 2001 and saw the Pentagon after the attack. He knew then went on to attend the University of Alabama where he won a
making her dreams come true. he wanted to give back to his country to make sure anything National Championship in his very first season. Jeremy joins
like 9/11 never happened again. Nick’s Undergraduate major class/teammate Thomas Venos as a member of the Swim
was in Global Affairs with a minor in Criminology. With Mike Family.
2020-2021 Swim With Mike Scholarship Recipients 2020-2021 Swim With Mike Scholarship Recipients
Joe Barber Brad Bauer Josh Brewer Austin Brotman
Southern Connecticut State University University of Missouri, Columbia University of Arizona Stanford University
Summer 2021 Fall 2022 Spring 2022 Spring 2022
Joe was born in Boston but spent most Brad played a variety of sports as a kid Josh was born in Ethiopia. His family At the age of five, Austin’s mom
of his life in Madison, Connecticut. including summer league swimming. was very poor but he learned at an dragged him to swimming lessons
Through the years he played rugby, When he started high school he had early age to triumph over obstacles. and he hated every minute. After two
hockey, baseball and was on Daniel to decide and his parents encouraged He loved sports especially running, years he found his way in the water
Hand High School’s cross country and him to go out for swimming. He the national sport. He was very and came to love swimming. At twelve
swimming and diving teams. Joe was immediately successful and was competitive although he was unable to he started playing water polo, and by
achieved the level of Eagle Scout in 2015 and was active in encouraged to try water polo where he found his true calling. join a private club. When Josh was eight years old his father high school worked his way up to Varsity swimming and
his church choir and the Exchange Club. His favorite sport Prior to senior year he was ranked top player in St. Louis and died of HIV which had ravaged many in his African nation. water polo. The Brotman family was vacationing in Florida,
was football and he played Defensive End for three years as he was working hard in the weight room and the pool. The Josh was left an orphan with no means of support so he took exploring uninhabited islands by boat and spending nearly
well as youth football. In August of 2015, just four days prior season was off to a great start when on a spring break trip to to the streets where he begged and scavenged for food in every moment in the water. Austin asked his dad what the
to the beginning of his senior year football practice Joe and Cancun, Brad dove into the surf, hit his head and was later dumpsters in order to survive. At the age of ten he was hit depth finder showed. When he responded nine feet, Austin
his friends were hanging out at the Surf Club in Madison. A diagnosed with C4-5 incomplete quadriplegia. After surgery by a train and was almost left to die when he lost both legs ran and dove into the water as he had done many times
simple dive into the ocean from the rocks resulted in a C-5 swelling resulted in an inability to breathe on his own. He above the knee and his right arm below the elbow. After four before. This time, however, Austin hit his head, shattering his
Spinal Cord Injury. Following his accident, the Tiger football was flown back to the USA where he spent three months in months in a run-down hospital he was blessed when a family sixth cervical vertebra. After weeks of recovery and months
team and coaching staff embraced him like true brothers. the hospital but miraculously he was able to walk out of the from Washington State adopted him and moved him to the of rehab he came to the realization that scoring water polo
Through months of rehabilitation at Craig Hospital in Denver, hospital. After graduating and spending a year in rehab he USA. He was soon introduced to wheelchair basketball by goals and becoming a surgeon was no longer in his future.
Joe’s teammates kept him involved and updated on the changed his plans to play college water polo and enrolled at the ParaSports organization in Spokane, WA. After years Always an excellent student, academics became an even
season. While missing the first semester of his senior year Mizzou’s prestigious Trulaske College of Business. of training, eventually, he excelled and was honored to higher priority for him. Austin graduated with his high school
Joe was able to return to school for his final semester and represent the USA in the 2016 Paralympics where he won class and was admitted to Stanford University and is studying
graduate with his class. a silver medal. An opportunity to play for the University of symbolic systems.
Arizona and pursue a degree in economics followed.
20 21Kyle Carpenter Ruben Casas Zack Collie Dillion Connolly
Azusa Pacific University UC Davis California State University, Fullerton University of Southern California
Summer 2020 Spring 2021 Fall 2022 Spring 2021
Kyle started riding BMX bicycles at the Ruben, a talented athlete, excelled Zack was an active kid who loved to Dillon exemplified the term student-
age of 5 and competed all over the at baseball, starting at eight years ride dirt bikes, snow board and surf athlete at USC where he was an All
western USA. At 14 he transitioned old. Later on his mother reluctantly and was on the Yorba Linda High American swimmer team record
into motocross and at 17 was a highly allowed him to add football as she School wrestling team. He is the oldest holder and Olympic Trials qualifier in
successful sponsored professional. At was worried he would hurt himself of four children and was accustomed the 100 and 200 breaststroke and team
the age of 19 he went to a local track to and that would affect his baseball to being in charge. On May 31, 2010 captain, as he pursued a degree in
practice and landed badly on a 100 foot jump resulting in a L performance. As a high school freshman, Ruben started on Zack was at Newport Beach with friends. At the end of the Industrial and Systems Engineering, graduating in 2011. Post
1-2 incomplete spinal cord injury. After multiple surgeries the Varsity Baseball team as a second baseman and later a day they ran into the water for one last swim. The water was grad he continued to stay active and in shape while living
followed by extensive rehabilitation he learned to live life shortstop. He played year round, including during football cold so they decided to all run in together. Zack dove under in Newport Beach and working as a design engineer at an
in a wheelchair where what were once the simplest of tasks season and was team and league MVP as well as captain a wave but his head hit a sandbar really hard and suddenly aerospace company in Irvine. One day, simply diving into a
had to be relearned or adapted. Kyle knows that his days during his junior and senior years. On to Cuesta College he was floating towards the jetty unable to feel a thing. His wave in Newport, Dillon hit a sand bar and broke his neck at
racing professionally are over but he has transferred that where he was a member of the baseball team but was forced friends pulled him from the water and called the lifeguards. the C4-C5 level. His friends and family were shocked that this
energy into pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nursing where to redshirt due to a hinge fracture to his ulna. On a day off he He spent the next three months in the hospital and could happen to this elite swimmer while in his element. As
he hopes to work in a neurological unit helping those with went to the beach then a backyard pool to relax with friends. transitioned home where he adjusted to his new world as a Dillon was in the hospital his friends and family surrounded
similar injuries and challenges. He has been successful as A dive into shallow water resulted in immediate paralysis. He C4 incomplete quadriplegic after a life changing experience him with love and support and Ron Orr let him know that
a motivational speaker and has volunteered to work with remained conscious while his friends pulled him from the at the young age of 15. Zack went on to graduate from high the Swim With Mike Family was here for him when he was
recently injured patients who have suffered similar injuries. pool as he instructed them how to stabilize his neck as he school and matriculated at Cal State Fullerton where he has ready. Four years later Dillon was ready to pursue his Masters
Kyle is thrilled to be a part of the Swim With Mike Family. had learned in EMT training. While using his athletic training finished a Bachelor of Arts in Human Services and is pursing in Entrepreneurship (MSEI) and combine this with both
for rehabilitation he earned two degrees at the community an M.S. in counseling. He knows that he will need to rely his Industrial Engineering and product-design experience
college before moving on to UC Davis to pursue a degree in more on his brain than his physical strength and knows that to start and run a company that makes products for the
Managerial Economics. with hard work and his scholarship from Swim With Mike he disabled community.
will be successful.
2020-2021 Swim With Mike Scholarship Recipients 2020-2021 Swim With Mike Scholarship Recipients
Joseline Castillo Logan Caudle Abigail Curtis Andrew Donnellan
Drexel University Auburn University Liberty University University of Arizona
Spring 2022 Summer 2021 Spring 2021 Spring 2023
Growing up in the Dominican Republic Logan started baseball at the age of Abigail was always an active child Drew was a sixteen year old gymnast
Joseline participated in multiple four and at the age of seven played participating in ballet, cheerleading, in Tucson, Arizona when he over
sports. In February of her junior year in the Dizzy Dean world series soccer, t-ball and cross country. rotated on a front flip and broke his
in high school Joseline had the highest tournament and made the all star She was diagnosed with idiopathic neck, becoming a quadriplegic. Since
GPA in school and a great future before team every year. At the age of thirteen scoliosis when she was 11 years old. then, Drew has thrived despite his
her. She woke up one morning with the he was diagnosed with Transverse In September of 2012, she had a disability. He graduated with his high
strange sensation of tingling up and down her legs. Within Myelitis, an autoimmune disease leaving him paralyzed at spinal fusion performed. During the operation, an error school class and then, with Swim With Mike’s help, graduated
hours things went from bad to worse and she was shuffled T-11 dashing his athletics dreams. During Logan’s freshman occurred. Abby came out of the surgery with a spinal cord with honors in four years from the University of Arizona in
from emergency room to emergency room and doctor year in high school, the track and field coach encouraged him injury that resulted in a loss of motor function from the waist 2012. After graduation, Drew went on to work two jobs and
to doctor with no one able to diagnose or treat what was to look into the school’s wheelchair track and field program. down. After intensive physical therapy, Abby has been able live independently in his own home. He organized local Swim
happening. She soon was paralyzed from the chest down. He jumped at the opportunity and began training. He was to regain her ability to walk. However, due to the damage With Mike fundraisers both during and after his undergrad.
Days later Joseline was diagnosed with Transverse Myelitis. very successful and won state championships. After that he done during the surgery she is unable to participate in the He is studying Disability Law at the University of Arizona.
As the Dominican Republic had limited medical resources picked up wheelchair softball. In August of 2016, Logan was sports she once loved. Instead of participating in the sports
the family looked to find the help Joseline needed to recover invited to attend a wheelchair basketball camp at Auburn. above, she became team manager of her high school Cross
her health and function as best she could She moved to This led to Logan having the opportunity to attend his dream Country team so that she could remain involved in sports.
Washington D.C. where her aunt lived and started physical school, Auburn University where he made and excelled on Abby also became involved in community service at her
and occupational therapy at Kennedy Krieger Institute the wheelchair basketball team and graduated with his local library. She was inducted into the National Honor
where she made great strides regaining the ability to walk Bachelor’s degree. Logan’s teammate Mackenzie Johnson Society and Spanish Honor Society. She participated in an
with crutches. Joseline is attending Drexel University and suggested that he apply for a Swim With Mike scholarship early college program at Central Virginia Community College
majoring in Architecture with the goal to create accessible which will allow him to pursue his graduate degree while while continuing with physical therapy to improve her motor
and sustainable building design. continuing to play wheelchair basketball for Auburn. function. She is now attending Liberty University to become
a Registered Nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
22 23Jessica Duhon Rodriguez Morgan Dunnigan Phillip Evans Kie Fujii
Concordia University, Chicago Davidson College University of Arizona Hackensack School of Medicine
Spring 2021 Spring 2021 Spring 2023 Spring 2023
Jessica grew up in Louisiana as the Morgan has an athletic gene pool. Prior to 2013, Philip was an average At a very young age, Kie had developed
youngest of five children. She played Her grandfather was an All American male from Australia and life was good. a passion for various different sports
high school varsity basketball and hockey player, her grandmother a He had a great job and he was playing such as running, gymnastics and
softball until one day in May 2003 talented figure skater and her father Australian Football at a high level. swimming. She trained every morning
when she was in a horrific automobile played college football and basketball. Prior to that, he played cricket, tennis, before school and made it to the state
accident. At 16 years old she suffered She played soccer and took dance until soccer, netball, volleyball and swam at championship track meet and the
a spinal cord injury at the T2/T3 level resulting in paralysis. one day a cervical spinal cord tumor left her paralyzed from the beach nearly every day. On September 16, 2013 he was National Junior Olympics for cross-country. On the way home
That didn’t stop her from helping with coaching duties or the chin down and dependant on a ventilator to breathe. in a single car accident that landed him in the hospital under from the state championship track meet where she had won
graduating as class valedictorian. In 2008 she transferred The tumor went undiagnosed for six months and was due sedation and resulted in a T11-T12 spinal cord injury and three events, Kie was in an automobile accident resulting
from LSU to Cal State San Marcos to attend Project Walk. She to be surgically removed the day after it caused the paralysis. paralysis from the chest down. He was sure that he would in spinal cord injury. The fourth-grader did not give up but
completed her Bachelor’s degree in 2011 and moved on to She spent many months in-patient doing rehabilitation eventually walk out of the hospital but those hopes were dedicated herself to rehabilitation at Project Walk, where
San Diego State University and graduated with a Master’s with years of follow up. While her friends were playing soon dashed when he rolled out to great changes in his life. she met Swim With Mike Board members, Mike and Betsy
degree in Exercise Physiology and Nutritional Science in soccer, lacrosse or softball, Morgan was riding her FES He couldn’t return to work as the building and worksites Thomas. The mental and physical strength that Kie used on
2014. Jessica began teaching Kinesiology as an adjunct therapy bicycle and going to physical therapy. She was on were not accessible and perhaps the worst was he could not her path to recovery has served her well in her academic
instructor at CSUSM and SDSU in 2015 and at the University a mission to improve her locomotor skills with the hope to play sports. Depression and anxiety nearly took over but pursuits. Kie graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in
of Saint Katherine as an Assistant Professor of Kinesiology walk again one day. Morgan excelled in school, graduating with the help of friends he returned to the football team as Integrative Biology with emphasis on Human Biology and
and Academic Advisor in 2016. In 2010 she met her now with a 4.1 GPA and achieving membership in the National a coach. Later he was introduced to wheelchair basketball Health Sciences. She helped with the annual Swim With Mike
husband, Israel, at the church they both attended. After 5 Honor Society. That hard work has paid off and Morgan has and was able to train with Paralympians which provided the event at Cal for the four years that she was there and has
years of friendship, they began dating and were married in recovered to the point where she can walk without crutches. opportunity to attend and play for the University of Arizona been a crucial member of the planning committee for the
November 2016. Currently, she is pursuing a PhD in Health/ She continues to beat the odds and will be successful at where he achieved a 4.0 GPA in his first year. UC San Diego SWM. Kie moved on to Seton Hall’s school of
Human Performance from Concordia University, Chicago whatever comes her way. Medicine.
and is part of the UCSD SWM team.
2020-2021 Swim With Mike Scholarship Recipients 2020-2021 Swim With Mike Scholarship Recipients
Makrokh Ebrahimi Deborah Ede-Reddout Hunter Garstin Alex Goldmeier
UCLA University of North Texas Western Kentucky University William James College
Spring 2022 Spring 2022 Spring 2021 Spring 2024
Mahrokh was born and grew up in Deborah was a nationally competitive Ever since he was a kid, Hunter has had a Alex was an athlete his entire life,
Tehran, Iran. At the age of seven she gymnast. While a freshman in high strong drive to accomplish what he set playing on his golf and tennis teams
learned to play badminton and was school she was preparing for the out to do. He played basketball and was in high school and skiing and playing
very successful. Her athletic excellence upcoming USA Gymnastics National on his high school wrestling team. On intramural soccer in college. Besides
was matched by her academic prowess Championship. Mid practice she December 7, 2013 of his freshman year his love for sports, Alex has always
and she was admitted as a graduate climbed on the trampoline to practice Hunter was catastrophically injured been passionate about Psychology and
student to Azad University where she attended for two years her most difficult skill, a half-out pike. That was the last thing during a high school wrestling match. the human mind. He received his B.S. in psychology from the
prior to a tragic auto accident that resulted in spinal cord she remembered until she woke up to find the facility being He tripped and as he was falling backwards his opponent University of Vermont, and had multiple internships working
injury at the C6-C7 level. After two years of learning how to vacated and an ambulance on the way. She woke up the landed on top of him breaking his neck at C6-7. He not only in the field. Unfortunately, while skiing on Presidents Day,
navigate life in a power wheelchair she applied for admission following day post surgery to find out that she had a C5/ lost his ability to walk but the injury brought his whole family February 19 th, 2018, Alex had a catastrophic ski accident,
to the University of Science and Technology (IUST) where she C6 spinal cord injury and would not walk again. Two weeks to their knees. Being 15 is hard enough but needing help with hitting a tree and breaking nearly everything in his body.
had successfully completed her studies in Electronic System later she was flown to Craig Hospital in Englewood, Colorado combing his hair, writing or feeding himself was too much. He sustained a subdural brain hematoma, a shattered face,
in April, 2014, with a Bachelor’s Degree diploma in the field of for extensive physical, occupational, recreational and pool The incredible support of others, many who he had never met broken ribs, a broken collarbone, broken wrist, punctured
Information Technology Engineering. She found work in her therapy. Spring University is where she graduated in spring pushed him to walk again. Over the next two years he was lung, lacerated kidney, and a T-4 Spinal Cord Injury leaving
field in Iran then had the opportunity to come to the USA for of 2019 with a Bachelor’s degree in Health Education and in and out of school as he had to travel to Atlanta for rehab. him paralyzed from the chest down. Nevertheless, this hasn’t
two months for advanced medical treatment and was later Promotion. She recently got married and is currently He kept up with his school work and was able to graduate stopped him from pursuing his dreams of becoming a Clinical
able to immigrate. Mahrokh is grateful to Swim With Mike for studying to become a Doctor of Physical Therapy at the on time. The hard work has paid off and he is able to stand Psychologist. He has found that through adversity comes
allowing her the opportunity to pursue an advanced degree University of North Texas. Her overall desire is to help and and take a few steps with assistance. Scholarship recipients growth. Like many Swim with Mike scholarship recipients,
in Data Science, a field that will allow her to prosper. inspire individuals who face similar challenges. Spencer Fox and Joe Hunsaker suggested that Hunter apply Alex went to Craig Hospital for rehabilitation, where he was
for a Swim With Mike scholarship. recommended to apply for the SWM scholarship. He hopes
that his real-life experience and Doctoral degree will allow
him to make a difference by helping others who have also
experienced traumatic events.
24 25Ben Hulin Kale Hyder Jonah Karpman Mackenzie Langley
Grand Canyon University Johns Hopkins University of California at Berkeley University of Denver
Fall 2022 Spring 2022 Fall 2022 Spring 2020
Growing up in Indiana, Ben played Kale serves as a great example of Jonah spend the first years of his life in Growing up in the Rocky Mountains
soccer and basketball and went on a student-athlete. Starting in first New York playing soccer and lacrosse. Mackenzie enjoyed all of the athletic
to Bob Jones University where he grade he started in competitive He also loved to snowboard in his adventures open to her. She learned
graduated in 2004 with a B.S. in Health, sports and went on to participate in leisure time. Next was baseball and to ski and played her first hockey
Fitness and Recreation and went on cross country, baseball and track. His football but in high school he turned game at the age of six. She went on
to work as an Outdoor Education greatest success was in basketball to rowing which was by far the hardest to win the state hockey championship
Instructor at Camp Tecumseh YMCA in Brookston, Indiana. where he played in high school prior to June 17, 2015 when sport he had done. The family moved to San Diego in 2010. in her sophomore year at Aspen high school. Mackenzie
In September of 2006, he was in a motorcycle accident that he woke with what he thought was a minor injury or fatigue. Jonah graduated from Torrey Pines High School and moved loved skiing and hockey but her true passion was soccer.
left him a T 5-6 Paraplegic. After 5 weeks of intense inpatient The next day he felt better but later in the afternoon the on to UC Berkeley. He chose not to row on the college team She played year-round and was the only freshman on the
therapy, he refocused his life and his goals and started symptoms progressed rapidly and after being rushed to the but enjoyed running in the hills around Berkeley and riding varsity squad. Her goal was to play in college until at the age
training in different sorts of adaptive sports. Within 7 months emergency room and a battery of tests he was diagnosed his bike in the canyons in San Diego. After his first semester of 16 she was a passenger in a horrific auto accident which
he pushed his first half marathon and has since competed in with Transverse Myelitis an inflammatory disease of the at Cal he returned home for the holidays. On December 20, resulted in multiple spinal fractures and paralysis from the
over 25 wheelchair marathons. His biggest accomplishment spinal cord suffered by only 1400 people in the U.S each 2017 while working out with former teammates at the San waist down. After spending many months in the hospital
in distance competition came in 2016 on the ten year year. He missed nearly his entire sophomore year but Diego Rowing Club he dove off a seawall, hit his head on and rehabilitation, she was introduced to new sports
anniversary of his accident when he was able to complete kept up with his studies with a newfound enthusiasm for the bottom and broke his neck at the C4-6 level resulting such as surfing and mono skiing. Mackenzie is studying
an Ironman triathlon in Louisville, KY. Ben attended Bethel academic excellence. Kale was awarded the Iowa Governors in quadriplegia. He spent eight months in rehabilitation at Communications and Sociology at the University of Denver
College and completed his Masters in Teaching. Currently Scholar Award, National Honor Society President, Phi Theta Craig Hospital where he met SWM scholarship recipients and is also taking business courses while volunteering
he works as a physical education teacher in Salt Lake City, Kappa Honor Society as well as other academic awards. Kale Austin Brotman and Andrew Ouellette. He returned home at various non-profits. She is certain that the discipline,
UT. While working full time Ben is pursuing his PhD in spends his time outside the classroom as a member of the to San Diego where he took a few courses at Mira Costa CC leadership, work ethic and strength of character she gained
Psychology at Grand Canyon University. disability advocate group at Hopkins, a scientific researcher before returning to Cal to complete his degree. as an athlete will be fully utilize as she pursues her education
at the medical center, and an admissions office volunteer. and newfound passions.
2020-2021 Swim With Mike Scholarship Recipients 2020-2021 Swim With Mike Scholarship Recipients
Jake Javier Jonathan Jimenez Jackson MacTaggart Gabriela Martinez
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo San Diego State University Pennsylvania State University University of Southern California
Spring 2021 Spring 2021 Spring 2023 Spring 2021
Jake played football for most of his Jonathan’s parents migrated from Peru Jackson was inspired to run a 5K while Born and raised in East L.A, Gaby grew
life starting at seven years old and to Virginia in the 1980’s where he was in 6th grade, so his parents signed him up playing a variety of sports, but
on through San Ramon Valley high born and raised. In Virginia, he grew up up for one. He didn’t really train but her favorite was always competitive
school where he played offensive and with his life centered around sports. He did well and decided to train for a 10K. swimming. At 13 years old, during
defensive line, achieved All-League participated in swimming, taekwondo, While training, his high school cross a family gathering, Gaby accidently
honors and was named Senior Team baseball as well as basketball and country team and their coach saw that dove head first into a shallow pool,
Captain. Also an outstanding student, he had several soccer. After attending basketball summer camp at Bishop he had potential and invited him to train with the team on a not realizing it was only four feet deep. She was knocked
collegiate opportunities but chose Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Ireton High School, he could never put down a basketball. regular basis. He joined his middle school running teams and unconscious and woke up in the hospital, and was diagnosed
for their football and engineering programs. On the day After high school, he was a bit torn between working full- won nearly every competition he entered. The same year, with a C 5 spinal cord injury. After her injury, Gaby was
prior to his high school graduation Jake broke his neck time and going to college, and on May 28, 2012 his life Jackson decided what he wanted to study in college after depressed and felt that life would never be the same. With
diving into a pool. Paralyzed from the chest down he was changed dramatically. He dove into the shallow end of a seeing the movie Interstellar. His father explained the science the help of family, friends and childhood swim team buddies
down but not out. A month after his accident he enrolled in pool shattering his C-5 vertebrae. Two years later, he moved behind the film, inspiring Jackson to realize his desire to study she found her way back to the pool and relearned how to
a clinical trial where ten million embryonic stem cells were across the country to attend Project Walk where he is thriving astronomy and astrophysics. As a high school freshman, he swim. The water became a vital asset to her rehabilitation,
injected directly into his spinal cord. He later spent seven in therapy and helping others by sharing his experiences and made the state cross country championship and was team and currently, she is strengthening her adaptive swimmer
months at Craig Hospital in intensive rehab. After delaying translating for Spanish speakers. Jonathan hopes to become MVP. He also joined the Amateur Astronomers’ Association skills at the Rose Bowl Aquatic Center. Furthermore, Gaby
college for a year of rehabilitation Jake changed his major a Creative Designer and finished his Marketing degree at San of Pittsburgh. A month before his sophomore year, Jackson graduated with her B.A. in Sociology from Cal State L.A. and
from Mechanical to Biomedical engineering where he hopes Diego State in the Spring of 2019, with plans to continue on joined his family for a vacation at Bethany Beach. Upon is now working on completing her Master of Social Work at
to help progress the field of regenerative medicine. Jake is for his Master’s as well. Jonathan learned about the Swim entering the ocean, he was caught in a dangerous shore- U.S.C. where she aspires to positively impact marginalized
#70 on the football roster at Cal Poly and while he cannot With Mike family from his physical therapists at Project Walk break which caused him to impact his head on the seafloor communities.
participate on the field he assists the team and the coaches who all believed he was ready to take on new goals. resulting in a C5 burst fracture.
from the sidelines.
26 27Myles Molnar Kendra Muller Andrew Ouellette Matthew Parks
University of Southern California University of San Diego University of Colorado Boulder East Carolina University
Spring 2024 Spring 2022 Spring 2021 Spring 2023
During the summer before high Growing up Andrew tried about every Matthew was an outstanding athlete
Myles played baseball and soccer but in school Kendra’s goal was to make sport imaginable, ultimately focusing and played many sports but football
the fourth grade he was introduced to the varsity soccer team. She made on lacrosse which was his best and was different. He thrived in the tough
wrestling and that became his passion. the team and won the cross country favorite sport. He was selected varsity team atmosphere. He made varsity
In 2015 after seventh grade the family state championship as well. On May team captain junior and senior years as a freshman after working hard all
moved to Abu Dhabi UAE and Myles 27, 2011 following her freshman year at East High School. Andrew excelled summer in the weight room and on
attended an American International School. On January 21, Kendra’s life changed drastically when a column of bricks in the classroom, with a particular talent for graphic design. the field. He was a starter at safety in his sophomore season
2017 while participating in a school wrestling practice he holding up the hammock she was lying in collapsed and He spent summers lifeguarding at the local pool, once using and college teams were scouting him. Plans changed
suffered a spinal cord injury which resulted in dislocation fell on her. In the hospital for three months unable to walk those skills at a Colorado mountain lake where he jumped in when on January 8, 2017 he was in a sledding accident
of his C5/C6 vertebrae. Emergency surgery and months in she couldn’t breathe, talk, eat or sit up in bed. Painstakingly to help an injured adult. On track to attend Cal Poly San Luis that resulted in a spinal cord injury and paralysis from the
rehabilitation hospitals followed. Myles graduated from relearning the most basic of tasks taught Kendra that she Obispo in 2016, Andrew’s plans changed July 3, 2016 when chest down. Matthew spent three months in the hospital in
his hometown high school on time with his peers despite could do much albeit differently and her drive and spirit he dove under a wave in Mexico, hit a sandbar, and sustained Atlanta 240 miles away from home but his friends traveled
adversity. Through the Swim With Mike scholarship Myles helped her achieve a 4.0 grade point average and she was a spinal cord injury. Andrew was fortunate to be revived often to visit and support him. Matthew returned home
plans to pursue a career in Applied Mathematics. admitted to many schools before settling on BYU. She served on the beach and quickly transferred back to Denver. After from the hospital on a Saturday and returned to school on
as a student body officer at Riverton High School, President three weeks in the ICU Andrew spent months completing the following Monday. His teachers and his friends were
of her church youth group and was a member of the National rehabilitation at Craig Hospital. As he gained strength and extremely supportive in helping him keep up with school.
Honor Society. At BYU she helped organize an annual SWM independence, Andrew decided to get on with college When the next football season started he went to every
fundraiser. Kendra graduated from BYU in the Spring of 2019 plans but opted to stay closer to home than Cal Poly. He was home football game and took team photos. Matthew credits
with a Bachelors degree in Neuropsychology, married and admitted to the University of Colorado in Boulder to pursue his physical fitness from football training and the support
moved to San Diego to attend Law School. an undergraduate Business degree in Marketing with hopes of those around him with his ability to rehabilitate his body
of using his graphic design talents. post accident.
2020-2021 Swim With Mike Scholarship Recipients 2020-2021 Swim With Mike Scholarship Recipients
Ronan Nelson Chris O’Brien Heidi Pearson Rio Peterson
University of San Diego George Washington Boise State University Walden University
Spring 2022 Spring 2021 Spring 2024 Spring 2021
Ronan was born in Okinawa, Japan Chris spent most of his life in the pool Heidi grew up playing basketball, Rio was an active kid who loved skiing
when his Marine dad and nurse mom and on the seas as a competitive sailor. volleyball, and track and field at and started playing basketball in the
were stationed there. The family Chris captained his high school swim Rimrock High in Idaho. She placed 2nd grade. In high school he was varsity
eventually settled down in Encinitas, team both his junior and senior years first in discus at the Western Idaho team captain for two years and while
California and Ronan started playing while serving as a volunteer firefighter. Conference Championship her junior in college he coached JV basketball
soccer and, at the age of 10, learned Prior to concentrating on the water year. That summer she worked as a winning two Idaho State Coach of
rugby, inspired by his Irish family. As a high school freshman sports he played soccer, baseball and lacrosse. Chris went lifeguard, taught swimming lessons and was a hydrology the Year awards. In 2014 he graduated from Boise State as
he gave up soccer for football and rugby becoming the first on to compete for the College of Charleston’s NCAA Division intern for Boise State University. On June 23, 2019, Heidi a registered nurse and soon began working as a traveling
freshman on varsity rugby in his high school’s history. On I swim team as a freshman as he majored in Communications drove off a remote dirt road over a steep embankment. nurse which placed him in some incredible areas for outdoor
April 7, 2012 Ronan’s life changed forever during a rugby with a goal to become a firefighter after graduation. On July Heidi’s back was broken between T11-T12 and the surgeon activities. On April 16, 2018, Rio was skiing at Squaw Valley
game. In one play gone wrong, Ronan was tackled and his 27, 2011, following his freshman year, Chris was injured by fused her spine between T10-L1. Ever the athlete, Heidi in California when he hit a bump, took a fall and landed on
C5, C6 and C7 vertebrae were crushed, causing a spinal diving into a sandbar while on vacation with his buddies, focused on rehabilitation and quickly became involved the top of his head. During his initial 10 day hospital stay, he
cord injury. During surgery to repair the trauma done to his fracturing the C4 and C5 vertebrae, and resulting in in adaptive sports, which she continues to pursue while a was diagnosed with a C 4-6 fracture resulting in incomplete
vertebrae, Ronan had a stroke causing temporary blindness. paralysis from the neck down. After his injury Chris became student at Boise State University. quadriplegia. He was airlifted to Craig Hospital in Denver
Being forced to the sideline Ronan worked hard at his involved with peer support groups for individuals with where he has been doing rehabilitation. Four months after
rehabilitation, but wanted to return to the game he loved, similar disabilities, and eventually started working as an the accident Rio was admitted to Walden University in the
so he started coaching for his high school and club team Independent Living Advocate. Chris studied Government, Nurse Practitioner program. He realized that his disability
followed up by a position at UCLA as Rugby Media Manager with a minor in Psychology at Harvard and later moved would make it difficult to practice nursing as before so he
and as a national writer for RugbyWrapUp. Ronan graduated on to the Elliott School of International Affairs at George switched his emphasis to a Master’s program for Psychiatric
UCLA in 2018 and moved on to Law School at University of Washington University, to pursue a Masters of Security Policy Mental Health Practitioner.
San Diego. Studies with a concentration in US National Security.
28 29You can also read
