Paige Madden

View Current photo via Courtesy of Jack Spitser

Paige Madden is a competitive swimmer who represents the United States internationally.

High School (UMS-Wright)

Coming out of high school, Madden held seven Alabama High School State records (50, 100, 200 and 500-yard freestyle, 100-yard butterfly, 100-yard backstroke and 200-yard IM). She was a two-time NCSA Junior National Champion in the 400-meter freestyle and was recognized as a Speedo Senior National Swimming medalist as a senior and a junior national medalist as a freshman, sophomore and junior. Madden was named Alabama Coastal Swimmer of the Year in  2015, and was an Alabama State High School Champion in 11 events and was a multiple-event Mobile Country High School Champion. Madden was also a City of Mobile Swim Association Hall of Fame Inductee, Swimmer of the Year and Aquatic League Champion. She Qualified for the 2016 Olympic Trials and was a member of the U.S. Junior National Team. Heading into college, Madden committed to swim for the University of Virginia

College (Virginia)

2017-2018

Madden made an immediate impact at UVA her freshman year. She was a 3-event scorer at the ACC Conference Championships, aiding the cavaliers to an ACC team title. She placed 5th in the 500 free, 9th in the 200 free, and on the final day of competition won her first ACC individual title in the 200 back. At her first NCAA’s, she placed 17th in the 200 back, 26th in the 200 free, and 51st in the 500 free.

2018-2019

Madden continued to improve and adapt to the college environment during her sophomore year. At the 2019 ACC Champs, she placed top-4 in all 3 of her events, touching 2nd in the 200 and 500 free as well as 4th in the 200 back. She also contributed to the ACC champion 800 free relay, which set a meet record. At the NCAA Champs, she surprised many by placing 2nd in the 500 free (4:32.98), less than a second from 1st place Brooke Forde, also a sophomore. Madden continued her early success at the meet with a 5th place finish in the 200 free (1:43.03) and 10th in the 200 back (1:51.36).

2019-2020

Madden continued to ascend her junior year, displayed by her dominance at the 2020 ACC Champs. She won the 500 free (4:36.19), 200 free (1:43.18), and 1,650 (15:50.38), all by comfortable margins. She was also on UVA’s winning 800 and 400 free relays.

2020-2021

After NCAA’s getting cancelled in 2020, Madden didn’t miss a beat when getting back to collegiate competition. At the 2021 ACCs, Madden once again swept the distance freestyle events, taking wins in the 500 (4:33.25), 200 (1:42.61), and 1,650 (15:45.45) freestyles. UVA defended their 400 and 800 free relay titles as well, which Madden swam on once again.

At her final NCAAs, Madden continued her win streak, picking up titles in the same 3 events: 500 free (4:33.61), 200 free (1:42.35), and 1,650 (15:41.86). She also helped UVA to an NCAA title in the 800 free relay and a runner-up finish in the 400 free relay.

National/International Competition

2018 Summer Nationals

At the Phillips 66 National Championships, Madden finished eighth in the 200 free and 18th in the 400 free. Her finish in the 200 free qualified her for the 2019 World University Games in Naples, Italy.

2019 World University Games

Madden started her meet off in the 4×200 free relay, going 2nd and splitting a 1:59.33 to help Team USA to victory.

2021 Olympic Trials

In Omaha on night 2, Madden took 2nd in the 400m free with a PB of 4:04.86, qualifying for her first Olympic team. On night 4, she finished 3rd in the 200 free, qualifying her for the 4×200 free relay as well.

2020 Olympic Games

Madden started her Games off in the 400 free, moving through to the final and ultimately finishing 7th in a time of 4:06.81. Madden was back in the prelims of the 800 free relay, swimming a 1:55.96 in the morning to secure her spot on the night relay. In the final, she split 1:55.25 to help USA earn silver behind China, breaking an American record and dipping under the previous world record held by Australia.

International Medals

Place Event Year Meet
Silver 800 Freestyle Relay 2020 Olympic Games

Best Times

Course Event Time Date Meet
lcm 200 Free 1:56.44 06/15/21 2021 Olympic Trials
Omaha, Nebraska
lcm 400 Free 4:04.86 06/14/21 2021 Olympic Trials
Omaha, Nebraska
scy 200 Free 1:42.35 03/19/21 2021 NCAA Championships
Greensboro, North Carolina
scy 500 Free 4:32.98 03/21/19 2019 NCAA Championships
Austin, Texas
scy 1650 Free 15:41.86 03/20/21 2021 NCAA Championships
Greensboro, North Carolina
scy 200 Back 1:51.28 11/23/19 2019 UT Invite
Knoxville, Tennessee
Paige Madden (photo: Jack Spitser) Paige Madden (photo: Jack Spitser) Paige Madden (photo: Jack Spitser) Paige Madden (photo: Jack Spitser) Paige Madden (photo: Jack Spitser) Paige Madden (photo: Jack Spitser) Paige Madden (photo: Jack Spitser)