Sonnek, Malo Named March Student-Athletes of the Month

SAINT PETER, Minn. – Men’s swimmer Tanner Sonnek (Sr., North Mankato, Minn.) and all-around gymnast Amanda Malo (Sr., Greenwood, Minn.) have been selected as the Gustavus Adolphus College March Male and Female Student-Athletes of the Month, presented by Thrivent Financial and voted on by the Gustavus Sports Information Department.

Tanner Sonnek

Swimming

Hometown: North Mankato, Minn.

High School: Mankato West

Major: Political Science

Parents: Troy and Julie Sonnek

Tanner Sonnek finished his Gustavus career with style as he competed in the NCAA Swim and Dive Championships and took home a pair of All-America accolades. Sonnek started individual competition on day three of the Championships and took home eighth in the prelims of the 100 breaststroke to qualify for the finals. In the finals, Sonnek improved on his prelim time of 54.99 and touched the wall at 54.39 to take home fourth place honors and earn All-America status. On the last day of Nationals, Sonnek once again shined, finishing eighth in the prelims of the 200 breaststroke to solidify himself as a five-time All-American and qualify for the finals. In the nightly finals session, Sonnek saved his best race for last, breaking the Gustavus 200 breaststroke record with a time of 1:58.88 and finishing in third place to finish out his Gustavus career.

Amanda Malo

Gymnastics

Hometown: Greenwood, Minn.

High School: Minnetonka

Major: Management

Parents: Deb and Brian Malo

Amanda Malo finished her Gustavus career by putting her name in the national spotlight in the month of March. At the WIAC Championships/NCGA West Regional, Malo tied career-bests on bars with a 9.500 and on the floor with a 9.750 while taking sixth and third respectively in the events. Malo then went on to compete at the NCGA Championship and earned a pair of All-America honors at the event. Her score on the bars of 9.575 set a new career-best and was good for sixth overall and an All-American nod before she went on to total a 36.900 in the all-around to take home her third career All-America honor. Her accolades continued after the season as Malo was named the NCGA West Region Gymnast of the year.