Athlete of the Month: Sean Mills

Written by: Elizabeth Prieskorn '14           
          After swimming for only two years, Sean Mills has gained the reputation of being a phenomenal swimmer and an asset to the team. During Sean’s junior year, his friends Robert Baker and Andrew Benkovsky convinced him to join the swim team. Realizing the talent he had with the sport, he stuck with it for his senior year. Sean participated in the 100 breaststroke, 200 Individual Medley, and any relays that needed people to fill in. Sean was more than happy to step in. He helped out in any event that needed a swimmer. “Sean was an asset to the team and knew all the strokes. Whenever I needed a swimmer for something, whether it be a relay or not, Sean would step up”, says Mr. Jackson.

Mr. Jackson has coached Sean for the two years that he’s swam, and has always thought of him has a committed, thorough, hard worker. Sean’s favorite event to swim is the breaststroke, simply for the fact that he excels in it. Personally, his season went extremely well for him. Sean’s times dropped throughout the season and he kept progressing rapidly. Sean’s greatest accomplishment in swimming was coming in fourth at leagues in the breaststroke.

He’s made many memories with his team this year. “Sean was always fun to be around at practice. He was awesome to have on the team. Sean is a great swimmer and he contributed a lot of points to the team”, comments Kendall Wright ’13. At the beginning of the season the team was very optimistic and had high expectations. Unfortunately, as time progressed, the team lost more and more swimmers. Sean stayed until the very end and was always there throughout the season. “In the future I see Sean succeeding in whatever he chooses to pursue. He’s a committed and thorough individual. He was one of the most committed swimmers. He’s always trying to better himself and is open to trying new things. Sean’s very friendly to everyone. Especially to the ladies”, says Mr. Jackson on Sean’s qualities.

In the upcoming future Sean plans to attend Michigan State University. He’s not sure on what he’s going to be yet, but going in to medical field is a possibility. Sean’s time here at Eaton Rapids High School has been great. He’s made some memories and friends that he will never forget. He appreciates the support and encouragement from his parents. They always pushed him to be the best he could be and succeed in whatever he set his mind too.

Having two older brothers, Sean had expectations to surpass, and continues to strive to do so. Being Athlete of the Month was unexpected to Sean. But now he can match his sister, Kathryn Mills. Many would think that having a State-Champion High-Jumper as a sister that Sean would have to compete with Kathryn, in more ways than one. But to Sean that’s not the case. Sean says,” I’m just better than Kathryn”.