Mykenzie Leehy has announced she plans to take advantage of the NCAA’s allowance for an extra year of eligibility and will transfer to Auburn University beginning next fall. Leehy graduated from Lewis Central High School in Council Bluffs, Iowa and spent four years at the University of Houston.
She will follow her former Houston coach Ryan Wochomurka, who was hired in April to lead the Auburn program.
Leehy was an immediate-impact player from the moment she stepped on the Houston campus in the fall of 2017. A sprint free specialist, she was runner-up in the 100 free (49.67) and placed 3rd in the 50 free (23.02) and 200 free (1:47.85) at the 2018 AAC Championships her freshman season. In 2019 she placed 2nd in all three events (22.76/49.03/1:47.13). The following year, she won the 50 (22.51) and 100 (48.67) and was runner-up in the 200 (1:45.59). She qualified for 2020 NCAAs in the 200 free, although that meet was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In her final season, Leehy helped the Cougars win their 5th-consecutive AAC title, winning all three events (22.54/48.61/1:46.27). She qualified for 2021 NCAAs in all three events and finaled in the 100 free and 200 free. She came in 43rd in prelims of the 50 free (22.64), placed 16th in the 100 free (48.80), and was 12th in the 200 free (1:45.59).
Best SCY times:
- 50 free – 22.42
- 100 free – 48.56
- 200 free – 1:44.90
Leehy is an Olympic Trials Wave I qualifier in the 50/100 LCM free:
- 50 free – 25.75
- 100 free – 55.68
She will join the Tigers next fall with best SCY times that would have made her the #1 sprinter (50, 100, and 200 free) on the Auburn roster in 2020-21.
Best of luck Mykenzie! Have a fabulous year at Auburn.