SAINT PETER, Minn. – Men’s swimmer Nolan Larson (So., West Des Moines, Iowa) and all-around gymnast Amanda Malo (Sr., Greenwood, Minn.) have been selected as the Gustavus Adolphus College January Male and Female Student-Athletes of the Month, presented by Thrivent Financial and voted on by the Gustavus Sports Information Department.
Nolan Larson
Swimming
Hometown: West Des Moines, Iowa
High School: Dowling Catholic
Major: Political Science
Parents: Kathy and Mark Larson
Nolan Larson’s performances during the month of January have helped put his name all over the MIAC top times list. Larson earned MIAC Athlete of the Week on Jan. 15 for his performance in the teams dual versus Carleton where he finished first in the 100-yard freestyle, 100-yard butterfly, and the 200-yard butterfly. His time of 1:57.54 in the 200-yard butterfly was good for second best time in the MIAC this season. On Jan. 25, in Gustavus’ meet versus Hamline, Larson posted a time of 1:43.91 in the 200-yard freestyle which was nearly two seconds faster than the second best time in the conference in the event and he also added a 52.33 in the 100-yard butterfly which was good for sixth best in the MIAC. In the month of January, Larson did not finish lower than third in any individual or relay race, finishing first in seven of 10 individual events and three of five relays.
Amanda Malo
Gymnastics
Hometown: Greenwood, Minn.
High School: Minnetonka
Major: Management
Parents: Deb and Brian Malo
Amanda Malo proved to be an all-around leader for the gymnastics team throughout the month of January, earning two WIAC Athlete of the Week awards. Malo’s strongest event has been the floor routine, posting at least a 9.325 in four meets with a high of 9.500. Her best all-around performance came at UW-Whitewater on Jan. 26 where she totaled a 37.075, which included a first-place bars score of 9.475. The Greenwood, Minn. native started the season with a bang at the Best of Minnesota Meet, placing second in the all-around among Division III competitors, helping the Gusties to the highest season-opening total in program history.