The Times

CP's top swimmer will be out of water for just a short time

By ANA MARIA ALVAREZ Staff Writer Mike Mere, a Coral Park senior honored in the school's Hall of Fame for Athletics in 1976 and named this year's Outstanding Swimmer, was presented his awards at Pan American Hospital Friday where he is recovering from a recent operation. Mike, 18, was unable to join his fellow student athletes at the awards ceremony this week, but Swimming Coach Robert Kuehneisen, Maria Escribano and Jill Ernest, both members of the girls' swimming team, presented him with a medal, trophy and several certificates at the hospital. Mike was operated on last Tuesday for a benign tumor and hopes to be back on his feet in a few weeks — although he laments having to miss out on all the special events that come with high school graduation. The six-foot tall athlete has a long list of accomplishments in swimming and water polo. Co-captain of his team, Mike has been named All America in Water Polo for the past three years, All State in Water Polo as well as All City in Water Polo in 1976. From 1973 through He was the recipient of the Outstanding Water Polo Player Award in 1975, named Most Valuable Swimmer in 1975, Outstanding Sophomore Swimmer and Water Polo Player, and the holder of two swimming records, the 200-yard and 500-yard freestyle. "The coach has helped me a lot and my team-mates are the best," said Mike. "Swimming is really a close sport and I will never regret joining the team." Mike, who had been feeling sick for about a year, although doctors could not pinpoint the problem, said he was unable to perform at his best this year. "I knew all the time I was working out that I could do better and the coaches knew there was something wrong with me because I wasn't performing," he said. Mike plans to go to the Coast Guard Academy next year where he hopes to receive a commission. He plans to continue swimming and participating in his favorite sport, water polo. Photo by ANA MARIA ALVAREZ Mike Mere, All America in water sports, recuperates

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