Sarah Mlachnik, Muskego
By Dennis Semrau
Wissports.net
Sarah Mlachnik, Muskego
Sports: volleyball, basketball, track & field
Sarah Mlachnik doesn’t have time to think about being a three-sport athlete.
The Muskego senior, who has competed at state in volleyball and track and field, said playing multiple sports and maintaining a busy lifestyle simply runs in the family.
Even at family reunions, she joked, it seems like everyone is a multi-sport athlete.
“Last year we had eight of my cousins here and most of them did three sports. It’s just something we all do,” said Mlachnik, who capped off her senior volleyball season by winning the WIAA Division 1 state tournament last weekend at the Resch Center in Aswaubenon. “Our family is really big into sports.”
Mlachnik said she began playing basketball at the YMCA and competing in gymnastics when she was four years old, started soccer and played tee-ball in kindergarten, added volleyball to the mix in fifth grade and played flag football and fast pitch softball before adding track and field to her resume in high school.
She said her parents, Dean and Marie, who participated in multiple sports in high school themselves, have had the most influence on her becoming a three-sport high school athlete.
“My dad, who coached me in AAU basketball, is being inducted into the United States Flag and Touch Football League Hall of Fame. He also played basketball and baseball at Waukesha Catholic Memorial. My mom played volleyball and softball at Muskego,” Mlachnik said.
She has an older sister, Kristen, who competed in volleyball, basketball and track and field at Catholic Memorial, and an older brother, Dean, who played football, basketball and baseball and ran track at Catholic Memorial.
Younger brother, David, a sophomore, plays volleyball, basketball and baseball.
“The best part about playing more than one sport is that it always keeps you busy and keeps you out of trouble,” said Mlachnik, who was named to the Wisconsin Volleyball Coaches Association All-State first team as a defensive specialist.
A four-time letterwinner in volleyball, Mlachnik started in the back row beginning her sophomore year, when she earned all-conference honorable mention honors. She earned all-North Division honors as a junior and first-team all-conference recognition as a senior.
Competing at a high level in volleyball – Muskego lost in the state finals her freshman year and state semifinals as a junior --- helped her get off to a good start each year, Mlachnik said.
“Being in a sport in the fall helps get you into the school year right away because you have to manage your time, focus on goals and achieve them,” she said. “That gives you something to build on. It also puts you into different situations and settings and keeps you motivated to do well in school so you can keep playing.”
Mlachnik won’t have much time for a break, getting 10 days to switch gears before beginning preparation for another basketball season. A returning all-conference first team guard as a junior, she is on track to become a four-time letterwinner and four-year starter. She will also serve as a co-captain for the second straight year.
While she enjoys competing in a different sport each season, basketball remains her favorite.
“I’d like to play in college for whoever will give me a scholarship,” said Mlachnik, who plays to study pre-medicine and would like to become a pediatrician. “I just love the game.”
Mlachnik also competes in track and field, qualifying for the WIAA Division 1 state meet in the 800-meter relay her junior year. Selected as a co-captain for her senior year, she also competes in the 400-meter dash.
Even though it might simplify her life a bit, Mlachnik said she could never see herself specializing in a sport in high school.
“You miss out on different experiences and making more friends,” she said. “Making new friends helps make sports more fun.”
Time out with Sarah Mlachnik
1 – Words to live by: You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take.
2 – Role model: my dad, Dean
3 - My family also includes: my mom, Marie, sister, Kristen, and brothers, Dean and David.
4 – I wish I could meet: Michael Jordan
5 - Favorite movie: Love and Basketball
6 – Favorite food: spaghetti
7 – Favorite opponents: Franklin, Oak Creek
8 - Dream date: Twilight actor Robert Pattinson
9 – Favorite teams: Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Vikings 10 – I wish I could play: tennis
