Neuqua Valley’s Melissa Marik was on the other end of the temperature spectrum last week. The 15-year-old sophomore was in Queensland, Australia, with the USA Swimming Junior National Team and learned non-air-conditioned dorms and 105 degrees don’t mix well. “It made me low on energy, and the food wasn’t the greatest either,” Marik said. “But it was really cool to compete in a foreign country for your country.” Marik, the IHSA 100-yard backstroke record-holder at 55.80 seconds, placed fourth in the 50-yard backstroke (:30.34) and sixth in the 100-yard backstroke (1:05.03) in the Open Age level (13 to 27). “I should be happy. But I know I can do better,” she said. Next up: February’s national meet in Orlando.
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