DETROIT — The Catholic High School League, since 1989, has recognized the accomplishments of the top male and top female athletes of the year via the Walt Bazylewicz Athlete of the Year award.
This year’s honorees are Luke Mychalowych of Novi Detroit Catholic Central and Milena Chevallier of Farmington Hills Mercy.
In addition, Brock O’Connell of Dearborn Divine Child received the Walt Bazylewicz Winning Edge Scholarship Award.
'A true leader and role model'
Mychalowych, a four-year varsity swimmer, was recognized for his impressive achievements in and out of the pool, including being a multi-time All-American and state champion.
“He is not only an outstanding athlete,” Catholic Central athletic director Aaron Babicz said, “but also a remarkable individual who embodies the qualities of a true leader and role model.”
Among his academic and athletic achievements:
- Three-time state champion (200 Free, 200 Medley Relay, 200 Free Relay)
- Five-time National Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association All American
- Two-time USA Swimming Scholastic All American
- Nine-time All State
- 10-time All Oakland County
- Michigan High School Athletic Association 200 free Dream Team
- Five-time CHSL champion and three-time league record breaker
- Five school records
- 4.153 GPA
- Nominated to MHSAA, CHSL, Detroit Athletic Club Athlete of the Year and Detroit High School Sports Award.
Mychalowych will continue his academic and swimming career for the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers this coming fall.
Highest levels of individual success
Milena Chevallier’s four years as a track and cross country varsity letter winner at Mercy has been marked by numerous achievements underscoring her exceptional talent and tireless work ethic. Among her outstanding accomplishments:
- Set a new state Division 1 high jump record of 5-feet-11 in the 2023 finals as well as reset the school record an impressive four times
- 2022 indoor and outdoor all-state high jump champion
- 2023 MHSAA individual high jump champion
- 2024 indoor state champion
- Two-time CHSL and regional champion
- 2023 Junior Olympic national champion
- Two-time AAU All American
- New Balance Nationals All American
- Three-time Nike National All American
She will be attending Texas A & M University on a full scholarship this fall.
'Through a ton of heartache'
Brock O’Connell is the 27th recipient of the “Winning Edge” award that was established in 2001 through the sustaining generosity of longtime friends and admirers of the late Walt Bazylewicz (1922-99), who directed the CHSL from 1973 to 1988, to support an athlete to continue their education and athletic career beyond high school.
O’Connell played football, hockey and lacrosse at Divine Child. His gridiron career was interrupted in his sophomore year by an arm injury and again in his junior year when he reinjured the arm during the first day of pre-season football practice with pads.
“He went through a ton of heartache,” said football coach Chris Laney, who submitted O'Connell's application to the “Winning Edge” committee.
“His father died during the summer of his freshman year,” Laney said, “and his grandfather, who assumed the role of father, died during the summer last year.
“He never gave up.”
O’Connell, 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds. was a defensive lineman his senior year for the Falcons, was named all-league in hockey, and is a midfielder on the lacrosse squad that won the CHSL Cardinal Division and a MHSAA Division 2 regional final.
O’Connell will continue his academic and hockey career at Adrian College.
Contact Don Horkey at [email protected].
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