University of Richmond Top Performances:
200 IM: 1:59.05 (2013)
400 IM: 4:16.02 (2012)
200 Breast: 2:13.85 (2012)

As a Junior (2012-13): Named A-10 Performer of the Year for the second consecutive year in a row after winning gold and breaking the meet record in the 200 IM (1:59.05), recorded a personal best time of 1:01.88 in the 100 breast prelims at A-10 and took gold with a mark of 1:02.61 in the finals, won first in the 200 breast (2:14.12) and all four relays at A-10s … tabbed to the conference all academic team …named A-10 Performer of the Week after tri-meet against UNCW and ODU, earning first in the 200 breaststroke (2:20.75) and the 200 IM (2:06.29) and second in the 100  breast (1:05.63)... swept the field in the 200 IM (2:06.56), 100 freestyle (51.97) and the 100 breaststroke (1:07.01) against William and Mary ... finished first in the 400 IM (4:25.15)  and 200 IM (2:04.27) at the Patriot Invitational.

As a Sophomore (2011-12): Earned seven gold medals at the A-10 Championship, where she was Most Outstanding Performer of the meet ... got career-best times in all three of her events...qualified for the Olympic Trials in Omaha, Neb. in the 200 IM (1:59.53)...got the Championship meet record in both the 200 and 400 IM (4:16.02) ... was part of the meet record-setting 200 medley (1:39.48) and 400 medley relays (3:40.20) ... earned three Performer of the Week honors throughout the season ... was named to the Atlantic 10 Academic All-Conference team ... first ever Spider Atlantic 10 Scholar-Athlete of the Year, as well as first swimmer in conference history selected for the award.

As a Freshman (2010-11): Swam to seven golds at the Atlantic 10 Championship, where she was chosen the Spiders' second-straight Most Outstanding Rookie Performer ... raced to an A-10 and freshman-record time of 2:00.07 in the 200 IM ... secured career-best times of 1:03.74 in the 100 breast and 2:15.37 in the 200 portion of the event ... member of the A-10 Championship and school record-setting 200 free (1:31.57), 400 free (3:21.10) and 200 medley relay squads as well as the top 400 medley (3:44.93) relay ... earned CollegeSwimming.com Mid-Major All-America honorable mention honors ... named a CSCAA Honorable Mention All-American ... tabbed A-10 Rookie of the Week four times ... owns freshman records in both the 200 breast and 200 IM ... enters her sophomore season ranked second all-time at Richmond in the 200 breast (2:15.37) and 200 IM (2:00.07), third in the 100 breast (1:03.39), fourth in the 100 back (56.05) and eighth in the 400 IM (2011).

Personal: Daughter of Nicholas and Venerath Kobelja.

Getting to Know Mali...

What do you consider your greatest accomplishment at UR thus far?
Being a part of a team that very gracefully accomplished nearly all of its goals in accordance with its values. I would also include the various Dhall creations I've made.

What does being a Spider mean to you? Being inspired as well as inspiring, which means carrying a tradition that's been here for years

What do you enjoy most about the sport?
My teammates and competitors who love it as much as I do as well as the things I learn about myself as a person. I also enjoy being able to eat my signature breakfast sandwich at Dhall.

What is your major? Biochemistry

What is your dream job? High school science teacher

If you could spend the day with anyone (dead or alive), it would be... Jesus.

If you could invent one thing it would be... something that wouldn't ever let your fingernail polish chip... even if you're a swimmer.

If you were stranded on a deserted island, what one person and one thing would you like to have with you?
Sophie Kobelja and floss

If your teammates could describe you in three words they would be... happy, scatterbrained and original.

What is your favorite...
Movie: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
TV Show: Friends
Book: The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood

What is the first word that comes to mind when you hear...
UR Swim & Dive: legit
Spider: pride
Team: family
Matt: a piece of work
Erika: sarcastic

Superlative Time - Who on your team is the...
Most Inspiring: Mina (especially when she anchors 400 medley relays)
Most Competitive: Lauren
Most Spirited: Alexi
Most Studious: Carinne
Biggest Clown: Jessie (but it's on the DL)
Most Likely to Change the World: Liz
Most Likely to Brighten Your Day: Laura
Most Likely to Be on Reality TV: Mary Anne (on Jersey Shore, specifically)
Most Likely to Be a Millionaire: Travis Stensby
Most Likely to Marry a Millionaire: Matt Barany