Michael was a three year letterwinner in swimming at The Wheatley School in New York. As both a sophomore and junior, he was named Scholastic All American, and as a senior he was All American Consideration and is a Nassau County record holder. In 2006-07 he won the Junior National Championship. While swimming for Wheatley the team won the Nassau County Championships three straight years from 2005-2008 as well as the New York State Championships in 2007 and 2008.

Outside of the pool he was a member of the National Honor Society.  

While at Dartmouth Michael plans on studying history.

Born Michael Ahern to John and Susan Ahern, he prefers to be called Mickey. Mickey has one brother and one sister.