Joe Polyak

Photo by: Claudia Staut

Class:
Junior
Position:
IM/Breaststroke/Freestyle
Hometown:
Iowa City, Iowa
High School:
Iowa City High School

Career Notes

Holds the school record in the 400 IM (3:42.51)
Ranks third in school history in the 100 breast (52.44) and 200 breast (1:52.39), second in the 200 IM (1:43.87), and 14th in the 1000 free (9:07.30)

Honors and Awards

CSCAA Spring Scholar All American First Team (2025, 2026)
2025 Big Ten All-Freshman Team
Big Ten Freshman of the Week (10/23/24)
Won Most Improved Award and Outstanding Student-Athlete Award at 2025 team banquet
2026 CSC Academic All-American Second Team
2026 Big Ten Distinguished Scholar
2026 Academic All-Big Ten
Won the Outstanding Student Athlete Award and W.I.N Award at the 2026 team banquet

2025-26 Sophomore Season: Big Ten Distinguished Scholar...Academic All-Big Ten...CSCAA Spring Scholar All-American...CSC Academic All-American...won Outstanding Student Athlete and W.I.N awards at team banquet...Nebraska / South Dakota Tri-Dual: placed first in the 1000 free (9:20.45)... Auburn Dual: placed second in the 500 free (4:23.41)... Georgia Tech Dual: finished second in the 500 free (4:25.23), sixth in the 200 fly (1:52.17), and swam a 45.41 in the 100 free... Wisconsin Dual: finished second in the 1000 free (9:07.30) and fourth in the 500 free (4:23.21)... Minnesota Invitational: won the 200 free (1:37.29) and placed fourth in both the 200 breast (1:56.88) and 200 IM (1:46.65)... Tampa / Notre Dame Tri-Dual: won the 200 IM (1:48.43), took second in the 200 breast (1:58.00), and placed third in the 1000 free (9:12.31)... St. Thomas / SDSU Tri-Dual: earned first place in both the 100 breast (55.17) and 200 IM (1:49.58)... Northwestern / Purdue Tri-Dual: placed third in the 1000 free (9:09.55), fourth in the 500 free (4:23.97), and swam a 1:37.40 in the 200 free... First Chance Meet: placed second in the 100 breast (54.58)... Big Tens: finished sixth in the 200 breast (1:52.39), 11th in the 400 IM (3:42.51), and 13th in the 200 IM (1:43.87)... Last Chance Meet: took first place in the 200 breast (1:53.00).

2024-25 Freshman Season: Big Ten All-Freshman Team ... Big Ten Freshman of the Week (10/23) ... won Most Improved Award and Outstanding Student-Athlete Award at team banquet ... NCAAs: competed in 100 breast prelims, 200 breast prelims, 200 IM prelims ... Last Chance Meet: took first in 100 breast (53.17) ... Big Tens: placed fifth in 200 breast (1:52.67), 21st in 200 IM (1:45.53) and 400 IM (3:48.40) ... First Chance Meet: notched first in 500 free (4:25.21) ... Purdue/Northwestern Tri-Dual: took fourth in 200 IM (1:47.04), fifth in 200 breast (1:57.97), sixth in 400 IM (3:53.35), competed in 200 medley relay, 800 free relay ... Arizona State Dual: placed third in 100 breast (54.28), fourth in 200 breast (1:59.63), fifth in 200 IM (1:50.17), competed in 400 free relay ... Minnesota Invitational: notched 10th in 100 breast (54.61), 11th in 200 breast (1:59.06) and 400 IM (3:51.99), 12th in 200 IM (1:47.70), competed in 200 free relay, 400 free relay, 800 free relay, 400 medley relay ... Wisconsin Dual: took third in 200 breast (1:58.54), fifth in 100 breast (54.41), seventh in 200 IM (1:49.86), competed in 200 medley relay ... St. Thomas/SDSU Tri-Dual: placed first in 200 free (1:41.38), second in 500 free (4:36.68), competed in 200 medley relay ... Army Dual: took third in 100 breast (54.56), fourth in 200 breast (2:00.27), sixth in 200 IM (1:51.20), competed in 200 medley relay ... South Dakota Dual: notched first in 200 breast (2:03.79), second in 100 breast (55.72), third in 200 IM (1:52.16), competed in 200 medley relay

Prep: Attended Regina High School • swam for Iowa Flyers Swim Club • named National Swimming All-American for 2023-24 season • named All-Conference, All-Section, All-City, All-Area, All-State each year from 2021-2024 • three-time individual state champion • named Valedictorian

Personal: Son of Steve Polyak and Lynda Hemann • has one sibling, Niklos • biochemistry and political science major

Why Minnesota? I chose the University of Minnesota because of their exceptional team culture that has a heavy emphasis on both athletic dedication and academic success. I believe the athletes, coaches, and professors at Minnesota will help me reach both my athletic and academic dreams.