Any MSU freshman can tell you about the pressures of making the transition from high school to college, but Nick Mrozowski doesn’t seem to have a problem with it.
“I think I made the right choice,” Mrozowski said. “I wanted to go far away from home, but I’m glad to be here.”
Mrozowski, a 2002 graduate of East Lansing High School, is one of the new members of the MSU men’s swim team. During his senior year, he was named All-American for the 100-meter breaststroke and also set the Capital Area Conference record in the same event.
One might think that being a college student-athlete, especially one with numerous athletic honors, would find it difficult to maintain balance, but Mrozowski said he’s dealing with it pretty well.
“I’m prepared for a big jump in the training schedule,” Mrozowski said. “The coaches expect us to work hard.”
MSU head coach Jim Lutz said he has high expectations for Mrozowski.
“We’re expecting him to contribute in a big way,” Lutz said. “We don’t want to put pressure on him, but we’re optimistic and we have high expectations. We’re really excited.”
Mrozowski, along with freshmen Ian Clutten and Jason Fish, combine to form what Lutz describes as “a one-two punch in the breaststroke.”
To maintain their strength, Mrozowski and his fellow freshmen must meet the physical demands of being a Big Ten athlete, even if it means attending 6 a.m. practices.
“It seems really busy at first,” Mrozowski says. “When you have nothing to do, there is something to do.
“But I’m glad. The dedication of the freshmen is making everyone get up and come out.”
The rest of the team is pretty excited about the newcomers as well.
“I’m impressed by the team,” Mrozowski said. “The captains hang out with us, and they’re getting to know us. I didn’t feel like they were going to hang out with us.”
Mrozowski may not be pressured right now, but if he ever does, at least he has two of his biggest fans nearby.
“We’re planning to go to all the in-town meets, and maybe some of the out-of-town meets” says Nick’s mother, Rita Mrozowski, who resides in East Lansing with her husband Tim.
“It’s a bonus for us, him being so close.”
With numerous honors and the support of his parents and teammates, Mrozowski said he will continue to strive for success.
“I want to make it to the finals in the Big Ten Championships, and I want to qualify for the U.S. Nationals,” Mrozowski said.
Lutz said he wants to see Mrozowski go as far as he can, but he understands freshman athletes may have some problems making the appropriate adjustments right away.
“He’s got a real bright future. He’s the epitome of top talent,” Lutz said.
