Ian Miskelley Memorial Time Trials Highlight Michigan Swimming Practice

The University of Michigan swim team honored the late Ian Miskelley with the “Ian Miskelley Memorial Time Trials” at Canham Natatorium on Wednesday.

“This is the first Ian Miskelley Memorial Time Trial. As @will_roberts10 explained: “In honor of Ian, we raced in his three signature events in the following format: 200 IM-400 IM-200 FL. No warm downs between races. Only one heat between each race. And the most important rule — you go all out every race. For Ian. ??”

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This is the first Ian Miskelley Memorial Time Trial. As @will_roberts10 explained: “In honor of Ian, we raced in his three signature events in the following format: 200 IM-400 IM-200 FL. No warm downs between races. Only one heat between each race. And the most important rule — you go all out every race.” For Ian. ??

A post shared by Michigan Swimming & Diving (@umichswimdive) on Nov 4, 2020 at 12:10pm PST

Miskelley died on Sept. 7, at age 19, taking his own life. He struggled with anxiety and depression since age 11.

Read more about Miskelley’s life here

In high school, in Holland, Michigan, and in his first experience with a high school team, led Holland Christian to the state championship in 2018, becoming an individual state champion himself. He won the 100-yard backstroke, 200 individual medley and was part of two state-title-winning relays.

He was a USA junior national medalist and qualified for U.S. nationals in 2017, swimming for the Michigan Lakeshore Aquatics club. He was a current member of the University of Michigan men’s swim team and was a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree.

Ian Miskelley. Photo Courtesy: University of Michigan Athletics

Michigan was a great support to Miskelley, and coach Mike Bottom wanted to make sure the team continued to carry his legacy with the Wolverines. This memorial time trial was one of the ways the Wolverines continue to do that.

“Our intention is to have Ian with us and move forward with him, and I am sure the guys are going to figure out some ways to do that. But a big part is not being afraid to talk about Ian and talk about the struggles and use that as a communication channel to all of our team,” Bottom said after Ian Miskelley’s death. “The moment we forget to include Ian in our communication is the time we will forget about someone who needs that type of help. Hopefully the swimmers will be able to understand that it is OK to need help, and know where to go for it.”

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