Michael Brus ’14 is unarguably one of the best swimmers in Grinnell history and our first male All-American swimmer since 1991. Brus holds a plethora of school and MWC records, was MWC Swimmer of the Year last year and swam in the 2012 Olympic Trials. Most recently, Brus was named Grinnell Athlete of the Week and MWC Athlete of the Week–for the third time this season—when he broke a 27-year-old school record in the 1650-yard freestyle.
Why did you choose to attend Grinnell College?
I was attracted to it from swimming first, and then through that I learned how great academically the school was. Also, my cousin went here and graduated in 2007, so that was a push as well. But when she was here, I never thought about going here until I started getting recruited for swimming.
What’s your favorite part about swimming for Grinnell College?
The team. I like being around the team, I like practicing with the team and also competing with them.
What are the major meets that you are looking forward to?
We have a couple of big meets. Grinnell hosts two invitational [meets]. And those are pretty big meets for us. The Conference is probably the biggest meet for the team.
What are you trying to accomplish in these meets?
I’m swimming the same events as last year: 500 freestyle, 200 freestyle, and the 200 backstroke. Those are my individuals and I’ll be doing four other relays. So of course I want to go faster in those, and I like to win the relays. I also want to make my time national standards so that I can swim in nationals in March.
What other sports have you played?
In high school I did four years of cross country, and I did a year of soccer as well.
What do you not like about swimming?
I do not like getting in the water. After I’ve been in the water a little bit, and I get out of the water and getting back in or whatever, that fine; but jumping in the water when I’m dry is the worst thing ever. That’s probably not what you expect to hear, but I don’t like getting into the water.
What are you planning to do after Grinnell?
I think I will take the GRE this summer and I’m going to graduate school for sure. I’m thinking about physical therapy as a career.
-compiled by Kevin Hong
