Mackenzie Padington to Remain in Canada to Train for 2021

by Dan D'Addona — Swimming World Managing Editor

11 May 2020, 01:31pm

Former University of Minnesota swimmer Mackenzie Padington, a Canadian national team member, announced she will be remaining in Canada to swim as she trains for the 2021 Olympics.

She had originally announced in January that she would transfer to NC State, but after the affects of the coronavirus pandemic, the distance specialist has decided to stay in Canada to train for the 2021 trials.

“With everything that has happened in recent times I have decided that I will be staying in Canada next year,” Mackenzie Padington posted on Instagram. “I will am doing this for myself as I know it is the best step forward for me mentally. I have the utmost respect for everyone supporting my decision and thank you to everyone for being patient with me.”

Mackenzie Padington finished 18^th at the 2019 World Championships in the 800-meter freestyle. She also finished 24^th in the 400 free. At the Canadian world trials, she won the 400, 800 and 1500 freestyle events.

Internationally, she has earned one medal, a bronze medal as part of the 4×200 freestyle relay at the 2018 Pan Pacific Championships.

She was also a strong short-course swimmer, becoming a key point-scorer for Minnesota at the Big Ten and NCAA championship meets.

Mackenzie Padington was an All-American for the Gophers. Padington finished third in the 500 and 1650 free at last year’s NCAA Division I championships, swimming a 4:35.21 in the 500 and 15:47.16 in the 1650. She also finished 37th in the 200 free at 1:46.74.

Padington originally took an Olympic redshirt this school year and then revealed that she wasn’t going to return to school at Minnesota and she would continue her schooling elsewhere. Now that the Olympics have moved, she decided to remain in Canada for the final push toward Tokyo in 2021.

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