Michael Strucko isn’t motivated by medals and awards.

But the 2023-24 Times News/Lehigh Valley Health Network Swimmer of the Year award is different.

This award made the normally focused and stoic Marian student/athlete smile from ear-to-ear.

Not because of the competition he beat out to achieve it, and not because it was his second Swimmer of the Year Award in as many years.

The reason for Michael’s excitement is because he is sharing this season’s award with his younger sister, Lydia.

The Strucko siblings - Michael a sophomore and Lydia a freshman - both produced incredible seasons that included Schuylkill League and District 11 gold medals, along with berths in the PIAA State Championships.

Their almost identical accomplishments in the pool this past season have made the Struckos co-Swimmers of the Year.

“My goals have always been personal improvement - and not winning medals or receiving awards,” said Michael. “My attitude is that if it happens, it happens when it comes to winning races and getting medals. It’s definitely an honor, and I feel blessed to have the ability to win races and receive awards.

“But I’m not focused on that. I’m focused on swimming to the best of my abilities and lowering my times through hard work.”

Michael had to admit, however, that when it comes to awards, this one is different.

“I don’t take any of the awards I’ve won lightly. I really do appreciate them. But usually I try not to let myself get caught up in them. I don’t swim for awards. But this one is a little more special than others, because Lydia and I get to share it.

“It was a special season getting to swim in the same meets as her. We have a great relationship, and really support each other. I love seeing Lydia do well because I know how hard she works. So this was special.”

While big-meet success was something Michael also experienced a year ago, Lydia was experiencing all of it for the first time.

“Watching the success that Michael enjoyed last year, helped motivate me,” said Lydia. “He’s such a great role model, and someone that I look up to and admire. He’s been a huge help every step of the way this season.

“From watching how he approaches training, how hard he works, and how focused he is, to getting little tips prior to leagues, districts and states ... I couldn’t have had the type of success I did without his help.

“So when I found out we were sharing this award, it was such a cool moment.”

While the Struckos’ talent, work ethic, and accomplishments are amazingly similar, their personalities are like night and day, according to Marian coach Andrea Feathers.

“Michael and Lydia are the same in that neither is about the medals and glitz,” said Feathers. “They both just care about getting better.

“But how they approach that is totally different. They have two extremely different personalties. Michael is very serious and a lot more quiet, while Lydia is bubbly and outgoing.”

This past regular season, Michael swam several events before choosing to take part in the 500 freestyle and 100 backstroke at the Schuylkill League meet, capturing a gold in 500 free and a silver in the 100 back. At districts, Michael swam the 200 free and the 100 back, capturing a pair of golds.

“I’m happy with my season, and my overall progress,” said Michael. “I pretty much swim year-round with my club team, but from the time last high school season ended until this high school season ended, I had some really nice drops in my times.

“I don’t really set goals as far as exact times or numbers are concerned because I don’t want to limit myself. But I know I can continue to improve on what I did this year.”

While Michael picked up two golds at districts, and a gold and silver at leagues, Lydia was just the opposite, winning two golds at leagues (100 back and 200 IM), and a gold (200 IM) and silver (100 back) at districts.

“I had high expectations for myself this year, and I was really happy with how the season played out,” said Lydia. “I trained hard and tried to keep a positive mindset, and that really paid off.

“I’m already excited about next season. Michael and I both train about five or six days a week and we do that basically year round. So I’m determined to drop the times I had this year.”

The fact that both Struckos are confident and determined to be even better by next season is good news for Feathers and a Marian swim program that fielded a team this season for the first time in school history - after years of entering independent swimmers into league and districts.

“They are both great kids and great teammates, and I feel lucky to have them on our team and be able to coach them,” said Feathers. “They are talented, dedicated and have such a great relationship with each other. I can honestly say they enjoy each others’ success, even more then their own.”

The good news for the Struckos and the Marian swim program is that there was plenty of success for both siblings to enjoy this season.