MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif. – Upon first glance Mira Costa senior, Ryan Rossow, looks like your average Manhattan Beach high schooler.  

He's got blonde hair, skin tan from countless hours in the sun, and a deep love for the water, but that's where the similarities end because Rossow is far from your typical student. 

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“I would describe myself as a very competitive person when it comes to sports or even in the classroom," he said. "I’m always trying to be the best at what I do.”

He’s done a pretty good job of it too. In addition to being the captain of his water polo and swim teams, he brings that competitive spirit right back into the classroom. 

“I don’t like to settle for one thing or another," he explained. "I wanna be able to excel at everything.”

It’s a unique mentality for any teenager.

Ryan isn't content just going through the motions, he enjoys the thrill of pushing himself to be the best. 

And that drive is what’s always caught the eye of his teammates and his coaches. 

“That’s my favorite type of Mira Costa player," Ryan's head coach, Jon Reichardt said, "the ones that work hard, put the time in, work with each other, work with the coaches.”

But sports aren't the only thing Ryan devotes his time too. He also helped established the South Bay Food Initiative which distributes food and monetary donations to those in need. 

With all that on his plate, it would create a lot of stress for anyone, but Ryan takes it in stride. 

“It really brings a part that defines me," he said. "And I’ve used swimming as an escape for myself to clear out all the thoughts or pressures.”

It’s for his unique ability to handle that pressure while making a splash in the classroom and in the community that makes Ryan Rossow a Spectrum News 1 Scholar Athlete.