Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Andrew Malaj

Everyone has their own way of celebrating the end of summer. Andrew Malaj celebrated with gold. Before starting his senior year at Sarasota High, he competed for Sarasota Tsunami at the USA Swimming Futures Championships in Knoxville, Tennessee, from July 29 to Aug. 1. He was part of two title-winning relay teams in the 400-meter freestyle (51.94 leadoff) and 800-meter freestyle (1:54.00 split). Individually, his best finish was fifth in the 200-meter freestyle (1:53.39). Malaj is the Sarasota Athlete of the Week.

How have you improved as a swimmer since last summer?

I've honestly improved a lot more on the mental side of things. I hadn't really gone through much adversity, I'd say, through a lot of my career so far. Going through a year where you're training for months, just to end up going slower than you were a year before because you're injured or because you didn't get that consistency, definitely made me learn how to deal with those things. Going into my senior year and going into college, those will definitely be some important skills to have.

What goals do you have for senior year with the Sailors?

I definitely do want to win both my events (the 100-yard and 200-yard freestyle). Also, to see if we can go and win another state title as a team. I came in third in the (200-yard freestyle) my freshman year and then my junior year as well. I was going into the meet last year as the favorite to win, and I had the best time going into it, but it didn't go how I wanted it to. Finally getting that gold medal would be my main goal.

When and why did you start swimming?

I was following my older brother (Alex Malaj). My parents (Ilir and Pamela Malaj) wanted to get us into a low-contact sport that we could do for the rest of our lives. They were not interested in football or anything where I was getting hit too much, so swimming seemed like the best option for them. I honestly just fell in love with it — with the process of trying to improve every day and getting better.

Why have you stuck with this sport over the years?

That was honestly something that I had to think about a lot during this year, going through some hardships. I had to find my motivation, and I had to really find why I love swimming again. It's an avenue for me to chase greatness and chase being the best at something.

What's a fun fact about you not many people know?

Surprisingly, I'm not actually that good of an athlete. I can't even dunk at 6-foot-3 — that's pretty funny. I'm just not very athletic, honestly. Swimming is kind of the only thing I'm good at.

Which quote or piece of advice have you always carried with you?

You definitely have to be doing something for the right motives. That was something that I did also learn recently. If you're doing something for the wrong reasons, if you're doing something for the status... eventually, you're not going to enjoy what you're doing. It's going to show in the product that you show every day.

Who's your favorite professional athlete and why?

Baker Mayfield. He's been through so much in his career, and he always bets on himself. So far, it's worked out for him. That mindset of taking bets on yourself I really like.

Finish this sentence. Andrew Malaj is...

Determined.