ST. Cloud, Minnesota (WCCO) — Malena Kouba, a swimmer at St. Cloud State University, has won the Carnegie Medal. This is an exclusive national award for those who save strangers while endangering their lives to an extraordinary degree. Many of the victims actually died during rescue operations.
It was a close call, but Kouba survived and told her story.
The pool has been her happy place, ever since she was a Sartel girl.
“Something was clicked and I did, this was like a sport to me,” Kouba said. “Maybe it was just underwater and was about to splatter, but whatever it was, it got stuck.”
She swam at St. Cloud State University, broke records, college athletes built abilities, and built characters under the guidance of head coach Jeff Heggle.
“It’s nothing about being a strong swimmer, it’s just a part of their lives,” Hegle said. “That’s what we want when you know they’re leaving here and will do great things because they’re good people.”
In July 2020, she and her boyfriend Dayton relaxed and escaped the blockade on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. They went out to the sandbars of Little Presque Island and soaked in peace, but soon the scenery became horrifying. They found an uncle in Michigan and his niece and nephew.
“I thought they were laughing underwater, but I found out they were actually screaming, and Dayton said,” Hey, maybe you should go check it out. ” Kouba said. “I jumped into the water and swam from there.”
The rip current was active. The family was immediately sucked into the water.
“I first arrived at my uncle. I was trying to talk to him, and he was like sobbing, I was certainly overwhelmed, I don’t know what would happen. He panicked. I was in a panic, “Kouba said. “So I grabbed him, I was like,” You need to grab my hand, we’re going to the kids. ” “
She soon realized that it was a potentially life-threatening situation.
“When we met our two children, the little boy started asking if we would die,” Kouba said in tears. “I’m sorry. And I thought,” No, no, that won’t happen. ” “
(Credit: CBS)
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It wasn’t her swimming training that started, but what she learned in the pool. In the raging cold waters, Kouba, untrained by her lifeguard, held her uncle’s hand, chained with her children, and led the leadership she learned.
“I was like,’OK, I need you to listen to me so that I can be my boss right now.’ And they were very much embraced of everything I was saying. “She said. “Because that’s what they needed. They needed me to be there and bring them back to the shore.”
And they put it back on the shore. Eric Benac trembled and stunned.
“She appeared out of nowhere, I thought she was from the sky, as far as I know,” Lansing’s Benac said.
The children were safe and Benac was taken to the hospital and released. But he will never be released from his memory.
“I always remember it. I never forget that she saved me. She endangered her life to save strangers, strangers. For me. With constant gratitude, I can never repay it. “
(Credit: CBS)
Her reward is a rare national honor for the Carnegie Medal to save lives.
“It’s pretty cool because it’s one of the best awards a person can receive, she deserves it,” Hegle said.
As strong as her skill, it was the depth of her personality that emerged from the water.
“I didn’t do it for any recognition, thank you. I just caused it to do what you were supposed to do,” she said.
Kouba will be awarded the Carnegie Medal two months later and will be awarded a prize. She has just finished her senior swimming season and she is currently in graduate school.
Other news: Minnesota Patrol Fully Equipped With Body Camera
The Red Cross recommends that if you see someone drowning, you should throw a buoyancy device instead of going into the water.
Source: minnesota.cbslocal.com
