Former University of Victoria swimmer MacKenzie Downing has been announced as part of the 2018 class of inductees into the UVic Sports Hall of Fame. She’ll enter the Hall of Fame along with the 1987 women’s cross country team and the 1994, 1995, 1996, and 1997 men’s cross country teams, all of which for CIS (former name of U Sports) Canadian collegiate national championships.
Downing swam at UVic from 2004-2009, where she amassed one of the most impressive resumes in program history. She earned All-Canadian honors in all 5 years in the CIS, and finished her career as the school record holder in the 50 fly, 100 fly, 200 fly, 100 free, and 200 free. She won 21 total CIS medals, 22 Canada West medals, and 7 Swimming Canada national titles.
She represented Canada internationally at the 2007 World Championships; 2006 and 2010 Pan Pacific Championships; the 2010 Commonwealth Games and she competed at three World University (Summer Universiade) Games. That included winning gold, silver, and bronze medals at the 2007 World University Games, with the gold in the 200 fly coming in a new Meet Record.
She was twice named the UVic Female Athlete of the Year in 2007 and 2008 and in 2009 won the President’s Cup for combined athletic and scholastic success.
She becomes the 7th swimmer inducted into the Hall of Fame, joining Stephanie Dixon (inducted in 2016), Christin Petelski (inducted in 2015), Michael Edgson (inducted in 2012), and Greg Streppel (inducted in 2011), Pam Rai (inducted in 2005), and Jon Kelly (inducted in 2004),
