Michigan swim and dive focuses on details at Be Better; Invitational

HOLLAND, Mich. — Non-traditional, non-scoring, just swimming.  

These are just a few ways to describe the Be Better; Invitational. But this unconventional swim meet means much more to the Michigan swim and dive team and community. 

On Friday, the Wolverines traveled to Holland, Mich. to honor their late teammate, Ian Miskelley. In the third annual invitational, Michigan competed against Calvin, Hope and Purdue. The Wolverines, though focusing on detail, never lost sight of the better reason to swim that day. 

“Ian was one of us, he was a Wolverine,” Michigan coach Matt Bowe said. “Moving forward, we want people to know what this meet is about, and just the importance of mental health and the importance of speaking up and getting help as well.”

Four years ago, the former Michigan swimmer died after a long battle with mental illness. In the wake of this tragedy, the Miskelley family created the Be Better; Foundation as a way to help support other student-athletes struggling with mental illness. To raise awareness and to honor Miskelley, the Wolverines participate in this swim meet every year. 

“I talk about this being about the Be Better; Foundation and being about Ian’s legacy,” Bowe said. “We’re coming to this meet to have fun, it’s nice that the format is a little different. So we very much approach it as … working on details for upcoming meets but don’t get too focused on time.”

Without worrying about its times, Michigan was able to truly focus on its technique. And no one proved to have better technique than sophomore Stephanie Balduccini. Named Big Ten swimmer to watch, Balduccini is expected to have an exciting season. 

At the Be Better; Invitational, the sophomore’s name was frequently on the board next to the fastest time. She’s categorized as a freestyle swimmer, but Balduccini showcased her versatility by swimming in multiple events, like backstroke and breaststroke. With powerful yet accurate strokes, Balduccini pulled herself to the end of the pool by concentrating on the details of each event, allowing the fast time to come naturally.

Balduccini and the rest of the Wolverines may have swam with details in their minds but, more importantly, they swam with Miskelley in their hearts.

“I just remember how much he loved the sport and also how much of a hard worker he was,” Bowe said. “It’s great that we kind of encapsulate that love of swimming. Ian was … a great ambassador for our sport and Michigan.” 

The Wolverines understand that this sport is incredibly taxing and tough to get through. They understand the detail that is required to achieve greatness. But they also understand that this meet is not just about the times — it’s about Miskelley and sharing their love for swimming with a community. Non-traditional, non-scoring, just swimming.

“It’s not a high-pressure environment,” Bowe said. “So it’s more about just being together … and really understanding the kind of legacy that Ian is leaving.”

Through participating in this invitational, Michigan not only pledges to be better for its teammates and the greater community, but it also pledges to be better for itself, honoring Miskelley in the process.

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