Sarasota Athlete of the Week: David Melnychuk

David Melnychuk just graduated from Riverview last month, but he's already competing against some of the best swimmers in the nation.

Melnychuk, who is going to swim for the University of North Carolina, went to the USA Swimming National Championships from June 3 through 7 in Indianapolis. 

He placed 12th out of 32 competitors in the 200-meter long course backstroke with a personal-best time of 1:59.53. 

When and why did you start swimming?

I started swimming when I was 10. I was watching the Rio Olympics in 2016 and I saw Michael Phelps. I was just amazed at how beautiful it looked and I really wanted to try that. After that, I watched videos of him and other swimmers and I started practicing at my community pool by myself to get the feel and learn the different strokes.

What was the best moment of your senior year?

It would probably be winning the third-place medal at the Winter Junior Championships in the 200-yard backstroke. I had set a goal that I wanted to get top-three in that competition before the season started, but I had to drop a lot of time to do that. I was confident that the work I put in would be enough and when I reached that goal I was super excited.

What is your favorite all-time swimming memory?

I would say in 2023. I was at a meet in Ocala called the Futures Championships. Over the summer, we as a team had an incredible experience training and racing, so when we got to that meet, it was honestly a lot of fun. The team came together and supported each other. Everyone was swimming fast, and I dropped a lot of time, but the best part was seeing a lot of my friends drop time.

What was it like competing in the USA Swimming National Championships?

It was a super cool experience, honestly. Swimming against Olympians, world championship medalists and NCAA champions was like nothing else. I hadn’t been to a meet this large and this fast, so for a first-time experience, I took it all in. I tried to learn from whoever I saw there that was faster than me. I soaked it all in and used that to be as good as I could.

What is your most humbling moment as a swimmer?

Honestly, it’s the tough practices. The practices when you aren’t feeling so good, your coach gives you a tough set and you’re just struggling to get up and down the pool. Sometimes you’re going really slow, slower than you think you should be, but you know you’re going to work through it and it’s going to get better. In the middle of those practices, it’s pretty tough to stay through it.

What is your favorite meal?

Probably tacos or burritos. I get them with rice, beef, lettuce, salsa, cheese and sour cream. Chipotle is always good. I love those as a post-race meal. Not pre-race because sometimes your stomach can get a little funky.

What is your favorite TV show or movie?

My favorite movie is The Shawshank Redemption. I think the story is incredibly written. I can’t find any faults in the story. I think the way it’s acted and written is as close to perfect as you can be.

What is your go-to warm-up song?

California Girls by Katy Perry. It always gets me in the mood. It can get me hyped, but if I’m feeling pressure it also lets me back away from it and lose myself in the song.

If you’re not swimming, what are you doing?

Well, I’m swimming a lot of the time, but sleeping, eating, I like to read sometimes. I also like to play various sports with my friends. 

Who is your favorite swimmer and why?

Caeleb Dressel. He’s someone I’ve looked up to since I’ve been swimming. I think it’s his dominance. He swims sprints, which are pretty hard to be far ahead of the world at, but his dominance in those events is unparalleled. Watching him swim, he gets off to starts and he’s already half a body length ahead of him, is pure awe.

Finish this sentence. David Melnychuk is…

Hard-working.