Fitter and Faster Swim Camps is the proud sponsor of SwimSwam’s College Recruiting Channel and all commitment news. For many, swimming in college is a lifelong dream that is pursued with dedication and determination. Fitter and Faster is proud to honor these athletes and those who supported them on their journey.
Trading the sunny climes of the Bay Area for the snowy winters of Michigan is Pleasanton, California, native McKinley Scobie, a 2026 Best of the Rest-ranked recruit, who has committed to attend and swim for the University of Michigan this coming fall. Scobie posted on Instagram, stating,
I am so excited to announce my commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at the University of Michigan this fall!
This was not an easy decision, nor was it one that I took lightly, and I am incredibly grateful to the entire @umichswimdive staff for giving me this opportunity. I also want to thank Coach Alex Silver for his support, guidance, and kindness throughout the past year that I’ve spent with LAC.
I can’t wait to begin this next chapter as a Wolverine! Go Blue! 〽️💙
This past month, swimming for her high school team, Foothill, at the CIF State Championships, Scobie made the final in two events. She started her senior campaign with a 1:47.90 in the prelims of the 200 free, qualifying into the final in first. She also posted a 49.31 in the 100 free to earn the 2nd seed. In finals, Scobie sliced half a second off her time in the 200, winning the event in 1:47.42, while earning a silver medal in the 100 free, cutting .02 off her previous time to stop the clock at 49.29. Foothill finished the meet tied at 21st overall with 41 points, all of which were scored by Scobie
The times, while not personal bests, are huge jumps up from Scobie’s results from the year prior. As a junior, Scobie did not compete at the State Championships, placing 4th in the final of the 200 free (1:51.73) and 6th in the 100 free (51.51) at the CIF North Coast Championships. She swam personal bests in both events in prelims, going 1:50.37 and 51.04, respectively.
Since then, the Michigan commit has gone on a tear, shedding seconds left and right, with many personal bests coming at the Pacific Swimming SCSC Far Western Championships this past April. There she placed 2nd in the 50 free in a new PB of 22.71, as well as going 49.31 in the 100 free, 1:46.53 in the 200 free, and 53.26 in the 100 fly, all of which yielded her the gold medal. Just a month later, between the two meets mentioned above at the CIF North Coast Section Championship, Scobie hit yet another PB in the 100 free, breaking 49.00 for the first time with a new mark of 48.79.
Scobie’s results are not confined to her high school team, as she represented the Livermore Aqua Cowboys Club at this past winter’s Speedo Junior Championships West meet, where she time-trialed and hit a personal best of 2:00.55 in the 200 fly, as well as a then-PB of 54.70 in the 100 fly. More recently, Scobie competed at the Indianapolis Pro Swim, where she hit personal bests in the 100 free (57.49), the 50 fly (27.97), and the 100 fly (1:01.96), all of which are Summer Junior Nationals cuts.
Best SCY Times:
- 50 Free – 22.71
- 100 Free – 48.79
- 200 Free – 1:46.53
- 100 Bk – 54.31
- 100 Fly – 53.26
- 200 Fly – 2:00.55
The California native, who had originally committed to the US Military Academy (ARMY), recently switched her commitment to Michigan. Army’s former head coach Brandt Nigro, left the school this past May, taking the associate head coach position at Texas. This past year, under head coach Matt Bowe, the Michigan Wolverines finished first at the Big Tens, amassing 1243 points, 189 more than runner-up Indiana, while at NCAAs, the women earned a top 10 finish, coming in 6th overall with 296 points.
Scobie’s times currently won’t impact the Wolverines’ NCAA results, but she is within easy striking distance of the 2026 qualifying times. Her best 100 free time of 48.79 is just .19 off the qualifying mark of 48. 60, and her 100 fly time of 53.26 and her 200 free time of 1:46.53 are both within a second of the 2026 Qualifying times of 52.52 and 1:45.53, respectively.
That said, Scobie will instantly have an impact on their Big Ten roster. In the 200 free, her PB would have placed 17th in prelims and would have made her the top seed in the C-final. In the 100 free, she would also have made a final, slotting in as the 18th-fastest from prelims. Her 100 back, 100 fly, and 200 fly times all fall just short of earning a second swim.
Scobie’s addition to the Wolverines comes at a great time, as they graduate two of their top sprinters, with both Brady Kendall (6th -100 free) and Christey Liang (10th -100 free) having graduated. Hoping to help fill their absences alongside Scobie are Hong Kong’s Gilaine Ma, Taiwan’s Miyaka Chang, as well as domestic talents Hazel Huilman of Boulder, CO, Ridley Hagerman of Broomfield, CO, and Gioia Balzano of Miami, Florida. While it is a small recruiting class, Michigan is expanding its roster with a large group of incoming transfers. Haley McDonald, an NCAA qualifier from Texas, has three years remaining. Fellow NCAA swimmers Kamryn Meskill from UNC, Mia Henninger from Missouri and Julia Stronjnowska from Auburn, round out the group.
If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to [email protected].
About the Fitter and Faster Swim Tour
Fitter & Faster Swim Camps feature the most innovative teaching platforms for competitive swimmers of all levels. Camps are produced year-round throughout the USA and Canada. All camps are led by elite swimmers and coaches. Visit fitterandfaster.com to find or request a swim camp near you.
FFT SOCIAL
Instagram – @fitterandfasterswimtour
Facebook – @fitterandfastertour
Twitter – @fitterandfaster
FFT is a SwimSwam partner.
its not all that bad here in AA. And as Mark Twain said “the coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Franciso.”