NEW COMMIT: U.S. Open qualifier Mackenzie Brandt of Wilmington, Delaware, has sent her verbal commitment to the University of Alabama beginning in the fall of 2022.
She will join fellow distance standouts Kylee Grafmiller and Stella Grace Watts in Tuscaloosa as a member of Bama’s Class of 2026.
Regarding her commitment, she said:
“I’m so excited to announce my verbal commitment to further my academic and athletic career at the University of Alabama! The coaches made me feel like part of the Bama family immediately. I would like to thank my coaches, family, and friends for helping me pursue my goals throughout this process. Roll Tide!”
A talented distance freestyler, Brandt trains year-round with Suburban Seahawks Club and earned seven best times at the NCAP Invitational last December where she placed fourth in the mile and fifth in the 1000 free. In Summer 2019, she placed 12th in the 800m free, 15th in the 400m free, and 16th in the 1500m free at the NCSA Championships.
Photo Courtesy: Mackenzie Brandt
Her best times include:
- 200 free – 1:50.97
- 500 free – 4:52.87
- 1000 free – 9:57.88
- 1650 free – 16:38.25
- 100 back – 57.75
- 200 back – 1:59.50
Also competing for Ursuline Academy, Brandt is already a four-time individual Delaware State Championship finalist. The USA Swimming Scholastic All-American won the 500 free and was the runner-up in the 200 free during both her freshman and sophomore seasons.
Alabama has made a big push for recruiting distance freestylers in this class. Brandt’s future classmates and training partners Grafmiller (16:28.47) and Watts (16:33.68) are both extremely talented milers, and Brandt boasts the only sub-10-minute 1000 in the bunch.
They will all arrive in Tuscaloosa following the graduation of Kensey McMahon, the 2020 SEC champion in the mile.
Brandt would’ve placed in the top-24 of the mile at last year’s conference championships, but it did take a 4:48.29 to sneak into the finals of the 500 free.
If you have a commitment to share, please send a photo and quote via email to hs@swimmingworld.com.
Congrats Mac!
Yay Mac! We are so proud of you!
Congratulations ?!!!