SPORTSINK.COM PHOTO

Cuyahoga Falls junior swimmer Andrew Appleby is the SportsInk.com Athlete of the Week for Jan. 8-14.

Cuyahoga Falls junior swimming standout Andrew Appleby is the SportsInk.com Athlete of the Week for Jan. 8-14.

Appleby recently set a record in the NOC’s River meet in the 200-yard individual medley with a time of 1:57:97. Appleby was also victorious in the 100 butterfly with a time of 53.40.

“He presents a coach with the uniqueness of what to do with him when a meet comes because he is so diverse in the tank” Cuyahoga Falls swim coach Mike McDonald said.

“He is a great person and swimmer, he is as good as they come and I’m just excited that I still have him for next season” McDonald said.

Appleby’s swimming career began out of need, not want, as he had a medical condition as a youth that led to his family enrolling him in swim lessons. So at 8 years-old Appleby was destined to be a swimmer.

“Almost immediately when I got into the pool the condition was gone and then I feel in love with swimming” Appleby said. “I love to swim for the experience and the friendship.”

As a sophomore Appleby took an eighth-place finish in the 100 freestyle in Division I.

“That was a terrific weekend with all those fast times, that was something else,” Appleby said.

Appleby worked hard in the offseason in the weight room and focused on being a smarter swimmer.

“I have to get better at the turns and when to push and when not. I learned a lot in the past few months leading up to the season,” Appleby said.

“Appleby can swim any event and win any event, he is that talented” McDonald said. “He loves to help out the other swimmers and race against the best, he has great make-up.”

Appleby as a youth loved baseball, but swimming took over once he saw the competition in the tanks. 

“I love the events, and after seeing the championships last year, I can’t wait to get the opportunity to go back,” Appleby said.

Andrew Appleby

School: Cuyahoga Falls

Class: Junior

Sport: Swimming

GPA:  4.08

Faves

TV:  One Tree Hill

Movie:  The Guardian

IPod:  T.I.

Pizza:  double cheese with black olives

Home Cooking:  ravioli, before every meet.

Class:  Government

Bucket List:  Go to Olympics.