Ypsilanti High School swimmer earns All-American honors

By Joshua Curmi
Apr. 6, 2009    ·    1:16 p.m.

Ypsilanti High School’s Molly Krell will be graduating this year with much more than a diploma in her hand.

Krell has been named to the National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association Academic All-American team. The accomplishment is a remarkable feat for the 17-year-old, yet that is just one of the many in her four-year career.

Krell has found herself involved with soccer, wind symphony, marching band, recycling program coordinator, Key Club and President of the National Honor Society.

Too much for a 17 year old? No way says Krell,

“I wanted to be involved in a lot,” she said.

“It’s easier to keep a full schedule,” Krell said. “If I have spots open I don’t know what to do with myself.”

Becoming an Academic All-American takes commitment and hard work. A student-athlete must hold a 3.75 grade point average for 7 semesters, be a graduating senior and earn a letter in swimming or diving their senior year.

Krell’s mother, Laura, said she knows how hard she has worked to achieve this honor.

“Molly totally deserved it,” she said. “She stayed focused the whole time.”

“She always tries to make the right choice,” Krell’s mother said. “We are very proud of her.”

Krell said she always planned on being part of extra-curricular activities, and connections and timing was everything when finding her place in an organization.

“I knew people,” Krell said. “They would hand me the program.

“Just being at the right place at the right time,” she said.

Her mother wasn’t surprised that she was chosen to take over these programs.

“Molly looked up to seniors,” she said. “Now they look up to her.”

Dividing her time was a must between all of the different commitments, letting them know when she would be where.

“I had to be up front with them, it worked pretty well,” Krell said.

Krell is looking forward to completing her high school career, but says there are things she will miss, like after she finished her last drum line show.

“Oh my gosh, I am done,” she said. “Everything I did here impacted me.”

Traveling also is one of Krell’s hobbies. Having already been to Australia and Costa Rica, London is next on the list. Tom, her 26-year-old brother, will serve as a chaperone on the trip.

Krell’s other older brother Ian, 24, is currently serving in Afghanistan and is making plans to come home for her graduation.

Her future plans include attending the University of Michigan and joining the marching band.

“I want to stay involved in music,” Krell said. “That’s what I love to do.”