2026 NCAA Qualifier Haley McDonald has announced she will transfer from Texas to Michigan. She just finished her freshman season and has three years of eligibility remaining.
The Louisville, Kentucky native arrived at Texas in the fall and was the #7 ranked recruit in the girls high school class of 2025. She battled injury during her junior year of high school, causing her to miss 2024 Olympic Trials.
She swam to a season best 1:52.94 in prelims of the 200 backstroke at the 2026 SEC Championships, a time that made the 2026 NCAA cutline. She also made the NCAA cutline in the 400 IM as she swam to a huge lifetime best 4:07.55 at midseason. That dropped four seconds off her lifetime best.
She finished 39th in both the 200 back and 400 IM at the 2026 NCAA Championships as she swam to a 1:55.34 in the 200 back and a 4:13.48 in the 400 IM.
Best Times
| HS Best Times | Freshman Year | |
| 200 Back | 1:52.74 | 1:52.94 |
| 400 IM | 4:12.26 | 4:07.55 |
The Michigan women captured the 2026 Big Ten Championship and went on to finish 6th at the 2026 NCAA Championships. The team was led by Bella Sims who tallied 50.5 individual points including an NCAA title in the 400 IM with a 3:58.08. Sims also was 5th in the 200 back with a 1:49.38.
Milla Drakopoulos also swam the 200 back at NCAAs as she swam a 1:54.19 for 32nd. Hannah Bellard was the team’s other NCAA qualifier in the 400 IM as she swam a 4:05.36 for 13th.
McDonald joins Julia Strojnowska as a transfer for this fall as Strojnowska has announced her transfer from Auburn. Strojnowska made the 2025 NCAA Championships. The Michigan program has teased at having numerous other transfers on Instagram, posting two days that they had five transfer commitments in one week and just posted this evening saying they have another transfer commitment, this time from a diver. With McDonald and Strojnowska’s commitments, there are still four transfers that are unknown.
Jacob Johnson to Georgia!
I miss the ISL (go dawgs) will be thrilled. I really thought he was one of UVA’s transfers so I’m curious to see who they’ve got but either way a great pickup for UGA
I thought so too. I think he entered the portal right around those instagram posts starting coming out.
awesome! can’t wait to see who the other transfers are – hoping for success at Michigan!
also where is Teagan O’Dell going? is Virginia confirmed?
It’s not confirmed.
But…if Kalshi is taking lines on it, bet your 401k on it.
LOL
Lottie Cullen (Houston)??
But what about the food?
Hope it works out well for her!
Bella sims is saving Michigan swimming
Talent matters. But hard work, good culture, and development of talent leading to PBs, school records and fast swims are saving Michigan swimming. Matt Bowe being hired is saving Michigan swimming.
Unfortunately she only has 1 more year unless they enact that new 5 year rule soon.
Sims only have 1 more year
Believe based on Michigan’s social media that they’re claiming 6+ transfers in over the past week or so. Thus far I think we only know of a couple.
Wow
A little birdie told me they have an impact diver coming in as part of that 6
“A little birdie” they literally posted that one was a diver didn’t they??
Huh?
Yall cant get everyone lol
says who?
the texas fan would say this, mr. moneybags
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhM4VQFkw04
Troll account 🤡. Not fooling anybody.
Texas and Michigan trading