(UPDATE) Missouri’s Haley Hynes, #6 in the 100 Back, Retires Ahead of NCAAs

2020 NCAA DIVISION I WOMEN’S SWIMMING & DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Missouri’s Haley Hynes, the 6th fastest 100 backstroker in the country this year, will not be competing at the 2020 NCAA Championships. This comes after Hynes scratched the event at the SEC Championships last month and was absent for the rest of the meet following that scratch. She would have been the 5th seed for NCAAs this season, as Michigan’s Maggie MacNeil, the 3rd fastest woman in the 100 back this season, chose not to swim the event.

Hynes swam the 50 free, 200 medley relay, and 200 free relay at SECs before scratching the remainder of the meet. SwimSwam reached out to Missouri for comment. It’s been confirmed that Hynes has retired from swimming for undisclosed medial reasons.

Hynes, a senior, swam lifetime bests in the 50 free (22.04), 50 back (23.50), 100 back (50.70), 200 breast (2:17.27), and 100 fly (52.87) this season. Coming into the postseason, she was the fastest woman in the SEC in the 100 back. Her 50.70 at the Mizzou Invitational in November marked her first swim under 51.

She scored in the B final of the 100 back at NCAAs in both 2018 and 2019. She earned 5 honorable mention All-American accolades for her roles on the Missouri NCAA relays throughout her career. She was an individual finalist in the 50 free (7th) and 100 back (5th) at the 2019 SEC Championships.

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Kevin DeForrest
4 years ago

Kinda crazy that anyone would speculate on this, in a critical and personal way. No one knows (with the possible exception of teammates and coaches) why she retired – undisclosed medical reasons could mean anything. I just see it as a bummer, or maybe not. Maybe it’s for the best.

Anonymous
4 years ago

Terrifying end to a fabulous swimmer. My worry radar is super high for this one.

Looking out
4 years ago

Sometimes you fall out of love with what you’re doing and reach a point where it isn’t fun anymore. Regardless the reason, it’s okay to stop doing something even when you’re in the lime light. Wishing her the best. Also not saying that’s the reason, but it could be.

Speed Racer
4 years ago

An entire season of having to slide into a tech suit would wear anyone out.

ACC fan
Reply to  Speed Racer
4 years ago

This comment made me laugh my drink out my nose😂

Too cool for the pool
4 years ago

Something is obviously wrong. I hope all is well and everything turns out ok

Tiger
Reply to  Too cool for the pool
4 years ago

Looks like she retired right after her 50 free at SECs. Frustrated with the outcome? Maybe she hyperextended her arm on the finish too?

Idiot corrector
Reply to  Tiger
4 years ago

You don’t retire because of that

Retired swimmer
Reply to  Idiot corrector
4 years ago

Swimming has a way of weeding out those who are mentally weak.

Dave Burleigh
Reply to  Retired swimmer
4 years ago

I agree, but it usually happens looooong before they are a senior in college and still going lifetime bests. She had the stuff to become an elite NCAA swimmer. I hope she is okay.

Justanarp
Reply to  Retired swimmer
4 years ago

Completely uncalled for comment and you should be ashamed. How can you infer “undisclosed medical reasons” to mean “mentally weak”?

About Lauren Neidigh

Lauren Neidigh

Lauren Neidigh is a former NCAA swimmer at the University of Arizona (2013-2015) and the University of Florida (2011-2013). While her college swimming career left a bit to be desired, her Snapchat chin selfies and hot takes on Twitter do not disappoint. She's also a high school graduate of The …

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