Senior spotlight: Columbus Catholic veteran making move from scorer to stopper this year
MARSHFIELD – Nick Malovrh was a second team selection at forward on the all-Mid-State Conference boys soccer team last fall.
The senior is making the move to stopper this season due to the defenders that graduated from the 2016 squad.
“He wanted to try a transition to a spot where he can help us out defensively and we put him in a position where we can utilize his endurance and his skill level,” Columbus Catholic coach Jeff Edwards said. “He is just an unselfish player. He would rather have 15 assists than 15 goals. He doesn’t care about (individual stats). He wants wins and he wants to help his teammates around him. That’s what makes his special.”
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Malovrh will serve as one of the Dons four captains this fall and he recently sat down with USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin to talk about being part of a memorable Dons boys basketball team last year and also his growing hobby of collecting basketball shoes, among other topics.
Do you have a nickname? Or what do your friends or teammates call you?
Usually people call me "Mully." My last name is pronounced MUL-O-VER, and it's from that. Even teachers call me that more than Nick. It kind of started around my freshman year and has stuck since then.
What is something people might not know about you?
I enjoy skiing but I’m not good at it.
What is your most memorable sports moment?
Going to state in basketball (last year) because (the program) had not done that in such a long time. It was just surreal to play at the Kohl Center. Everything we did as a team (at state) was memorable – going out to eat and just spending quality time as teammates. Then going into the stadium and the locker room and getting ready for the game was cool, and of course so was running out onto the (Kohl Center) floor.
What would you say is your most embarrassing sports moment?
It was freshman year in basketball and going 0-for-8 (from the field in a game). There were layups missed.
Do you have any pregame superstitions or rituals?
Our team listened to the same song (before every game) and we went to the chapel (as a team) before every game last year.
What do you enjoy the most about soccer?
Just being with my friends. Our team is like one family. We just have a lot of fun playing (soccer)
What is the biggest lesson you have gained from prep athletics?
Mental toughness for sure.
What is your dream vacation?
The Bahamas.
What is your dream career?
If I could play (professional) basketball, that would be nice. But maybe a (athletic) shoe designer for Nike or Adidas or someone.
Do you have a pretty extensive shoe collection yourself?
It’s getting there, I’ll say that.
What are your favorites in the collection?
I just bought a pair of the Jordan 13s. They’re nice.
Nick Malovrh
School: Columbus Catholic
Year: Senior
Sports: Soccer, basketball
Favorite pro or college athlete: LeBron James, but I do like (Sacramento Kings rookie) De’Aaron Fox.
Favorite music artist or group: I like all music pretty much. Whatever hits the spot (at the moment)
Favorite movie: ‘Happy Gilmore’. It’s fun and stupid. It’s my kind of movie. Or ‘Dumb and Dumber’
Favorite meal: Swedish pancakes or chicken alfredo.