Source: Hometown Life

Author: Marty Budner

Katie Minnich recently took a trip to the University of Michigan to check out the school and its swim program.

Farmington Hills Mercy's all-state swimmer was impressed enough that she decided Ann Arbor is where she wants to continue her education while developing her swim talents.

Minnich made a verbal commitment to attend Michigan last week and couldn't be happier with her decision. She has also took official visits to the University of Virginia and University of Florida.

"I'm excited. Michigan just really stuck out. I loved the coaches and the team there," said Minnich, who plans to get into Michigan's pre-med program. "I felt like they are going to give me every opportunity to excel in both the classroom and the pool, so I didn't have to compromise on anything and that was really important to me."

Minnich did not have one specific college in mind over the past few years. However, some family ties she had to Michigan did help her final decision.

"I never really had a dream school that I had in mind. I just wanted to see where life took me and where I would end up," Minnich said. "I've had my  grandma, my great-grandpa and aunts and uncles who all went to Michigan, so it's definitely a family thing." 

Under water power

Second-year Mercy head coach Mike Venos believes Minnich will fit in nicely with the Wolverines.

"Katie has some of the best under waters in the state. Her speed under water is amazing," Venos said. "And that's what drew the attention of a lot of college coaches to her and every coach talked about her under waters.

"And she trains. She is one of the hardest trainers we have in the pool. It's nice that she's going to be close to home and I think (Michigan's) style of training will suit her well. They do a lot of race pace. They don't necessarily do a lot of over yardage and I think that's the kind of training she's used to.

"I think she's really going to flourish there," he added. "I don't think she'll have any issue adapting to the college program."

Swimming is a sport Minnich enjoys thoroughly, despite a rigorous year-round training program.

Minnich began swimming at the tender age of 5 with her summer team at Red Run Golf Club. A couple of years later, she joined the popular Birmingham Blue Dolpins Swim Club, where she developed her talents.

"I got into swimming because all of my friends swam and, I think, because I enjoyed it and I liked going to practice and I liked working hard and so many good things have happened," she said. "There is still a plenty of room to improve, but I still enjoyed it as much as I did when I was 7 years old. It's year-round, but I love every day of it."

Prepared for next level

Minnich demonstrated her pool prowess in her first year as a member of Mercy's swim team.

She captured the Division 1 100-yard backstroke individual state championship as a freshman and will enter the state meet later this fall as the three-time defending 100 back state champion. The 17-year-old Royal Oak resident is an eight-time all-state swimmer who also excels in the 200 IM and as a lead-off member of the 200-yard medley relay team. 

Minnich said she is grateful to be part of the rich Mercy swim program, which helped her prepare for her upcoming collegiate career.

"I ended up at Mercy for the swim team," Minnich said. "I knew that I wanted to go to a private school in the area and my parents wanted me to and I met the older girls on the team here and I met the old coach, Shannon Dunworth, and I just knew this was going to be the right place for me.

"I think Mercy really prepared me well for my next step. I think Mercy is a lot like a college team. Our schedule is very similar to the schools that I looked at and the way that our team acts with each other ... we're all so close and it's just like a college team. It's like you're swimming with a bunch of your sisters rather than just a pool full of other girls.

"It's like a family. So some days are harder than others, you have disagreements, but in the end you are able to come together and make something really special happen at practice every day," she added. "I've enjoyed every minute of it here. The girls here really have pushed me to keep improving to get to that next level."