Medo was born and raised in Bratislava, Slovakia. There he prepped at the Gymnasium of St. Vincent De Paul before coming to the U.S. in August to swim at GVSU.

“I lived in Slovakia all my life,” Medo said. “It is completely different here. Back in Slovakia, we don’t have campuses. It is basically just one building. The training is harder here and I feel it is much better suited for me.”

As for the transition into collegiate swimming, Medo has already made an impact on his new team. Most recently, the reigning GLIAC men’s swimmer of the week broke the GVSU freshman record in the 50-yard freestyle this past weekend against Michigan State University.

He is one of the team’s top sprinters, but also enjoys competing in the individual medley.

GVSU head coach Andy Boyce said it’s Medo’s work ethic that makes him a valuable asset to the team.

“One of the top things we look for in a swimmer is academics, as well as a good work ethic and fast times out of high school,” he said. “Milan definitely had all those attributes. He is a very hard worker and he specializes in many different strokes. He fit in really well with the team right from day one. It has been a great transition.”

Medo’s first took up swimming when he was approached by his school’s swim coach in the second grade.

“The swim coach asked if I wanted to swim and I said, ‘Sure, why not?’ I liked swimming from the beginning,” Medo said.

As the coach started Medo on his way toward a career in the pool, it was his family, especially his brother, Martin, who really inspired him to continue and search for an education outside of Slovakia. Martin was an exchange student three years ago at a high school in Williamsport, Ind., but now studies in the Czech Republic.

“My family is very supportive of me and swimming. Definitely my family was an inspiration,” Medo said. “Also, my brother is a swimmer. He inspired me to apply to an American college because he was an exchange student. He really liked it and improved a lot in swimming, so I started applying. It didn’t work out for Division I universities, so I looked at Division II and Grand Valley was my first choice.”

Medo has also realized the limits a student athlete faces in Slovakia as compared to the U.S., reflecting on his brother’s time here that made him a better swimmer.

“Athletes in Slovakia have a disadvantage when they study at the university because they have to take 60 credits a year, average,” he said. “I wouldn’t say it is easier, but it is better to be an athlete overall. I have more time to train, and it is easier to set up my schedule.”

Besides the training aspect Medo is getting used to, the team aspect is something new to him as well.

“One thing he is realizing is how different of a sport college swimming is than club swimming,” said senior teammate Aaron Beebe. “He is adjusting to the different demands of being on a team. You have to swim what the team needs you to swim and that is a big realization, even something I went through. The biggest thing that I have been able to help him with in terms of swimming is just adjusting to different training. The training he got back home is a very different style.”

Even with the differing culture, training regimen and people around him, Medo said his time in the U.S. so far is nothing but positive.

“I am really satisfied and it is one of the best times of my life,” he said. “The coaching is great, the team is great and the people here are awesome.”

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