German Olympian and former Florida Gator Theresa Michalak has resurfaced in the NCAA, appearing on the roster of the West Florida Argonauts.
Michalak was the SEC champ in the 200 IM for Florida last season, joining the Gators after a successful run of international meets for her home nation of Germany. But Michalak disappeared from the Florida roster this season and did not compete in any dual meets for the Gators in the 2015-2016 season.
Now, Michalak’s name appears on the roster for West Florida, a Division II program based out of Pensacola, Florida, about 350 miles to the west of Gainesville, where Michalak spent her first NCAA season. Several requests for comment from Michalak have not been returned.
Michalak is listed on the roster as a junior, and the team’s bio says she will have two years of NCAA eligibility left.
She made her debut for the Argos last week at the team’s home triangular with Emory and Delta State, winning the 100 breaststroke and taking second in the 100 free.
Michalak should be a huge addition to West Florida’s squad this season. Her lifetime-bests would have won Division II NCAA titles last year in the 100 breast (59.94), 200 fly (1:55.69), 200 IM (1:56.09) and 400 IM (4:09.50), and she would have made the A finals of several more races. And that’s not even taking into account her relay contributions to West Florida, which took 11th at last year’s NCAAs on the women’s side.
SEC and German Champion transfers from a premier situation at Division I to an in-state Division II, and several requests for comment about it have not been returned? Inquiring minds want to know…
GREAT pick-up for West Florida. Excited to see her results with her training under Andrew Hancock, who’s one of the brightest swim minds of any division in NCAA Swimming right now.
Awesome pick up for the Argos!