Mackenzie Kawashiri '23 Recruiting Profile

My name is Mackenzie Kawashiri and I started competitive swimming at the age of 10. I am a dedicated 200 butterflier but can also swim mid-long distance freestyle. I am known for my ability to swim endless butterfly and can often be found in practice swimming a 500 or 1000 butterfly while the rest of my team chooses to swim freestyle. I am most competitive when I have someone to chase down in a race.  I am a senior level swimmer as well as team captain on my club team. In addition, I have been on the Varsity team at Justin-Siena High School since my Freshman year. I bring enthusiasm, a positive mindset, and a willingness to do things that are challenging into practice everyday. 

In 2018, I broke the third metacarpal in my left hand. As a result, I was unable to swim for 12 weeks. However, this didn't stop me from getting into the pool everyday and participating in practice. I spent those 12 weeks working on my kick in the pool and dedicating my dryland time to abdominal workouts and running. It was a tough experience but it made me focus on what I could do versus what I couldn't do. After my hand healed, it took me about 9 months to get my butterfly back to where I was before I broke my hand. Unfortunately at that exact same time the pandemic hit and California shut down. I was out of the water for 4 months in 2020. During that time, I went back to focusing on running and dryland to stay in shape. In June 2020, my club team was able to get back in the water although our water time was significantly cut. However, I didn't let that stop me as I stayed focused and used what little water time I had to put as much effort as possible into my workouts. I am happy to share that I am back to where I was in 2018 when I broke my hand and now nothing stands in my way.

When it comes to college, I am looking for a school where I can not only find a new swim home but also a university that offers a top rated biomedical study program. I love to be creative,  understand how things work, and learn best through hands on experience.  I am open minded to colleges across the globe and really hope to find a college that fits me best, with a swim team that needs someone with my characteristics and a great biomedical program.