YOUTH
THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | SEPTEMBER 29, 2021
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Bachmeier ready to swim for Miami U BY TYLER BUDGE Foothills Focus Staff Writer
C
actus Shadows High School senior Madelyn Bachmeier is wrapping up her final swim season before traveling across the country to compete for the Miami University Redhawks. The USA Swimming Scholastic All-American verbally committed to Miami Ohio in June and will swim for Miami starting in the 2022 season. “I’m really happy that I found a college that I’m able to go to,” Bachmeier said. “I really like the coaches and the atmosphere there so I’m really excited. I felt more connected to the school through the coaches, I really connected with them over the phone.” Bachmeier’s senior swim season began Sept. 2, and Bachmeier has impressed with multiple podium finishes. She plans to continue her dominant success in high school and with the Scottsdale Aquatic Club. “I’m just super excited to have fun and kind of enjoy this last high school season. And for the state meet, I’m really hoping to repeat in some of the events that I won last year and compete in the relays,” Bachmeier said. As a junior, Bachmeier won four titles
at the AIA DII Swim and Dive Championships. She also anchored her school’s gold medal winning 200-meter and 400-meter relays from 2020. Despite losing a few key seniors from its relay teams for 2021, Cactus Shadows has shown solid performances in those events. “I’ve been training hard and getting myself ready for this year,” Bachmeier YOUTH said, “I have been super excited to win individual events and get high up there in some relay events.” Aside from being a top-rated swimmer, Bachmeier acknowledged the importance of being a well-rounded student athlete. “Anything can happen, you can get injured, and you always want to be able to have that backup,” Bachmeier said, “I’m not only just a swimmer, so having the academics, allows me to pursue more in my life than just being a college swimmer.” Outside of Miami University’s athletics, Bachmeier said the school’s facilities and academic standards attracted her. “Actually, visiting the campus, I really got to see and get into the feel of it, and meet some of the athletes, and I just felt like that was the school for me,” Bachmeier said. Bachmeier has picked up Winter Junior National Cuts in the 200-meter backstroke, the 200-yard fly, and the 200-meter fly. Bachmeier is expected to be a top
swimmer for the Redhawks when she arrives in Ohio in fall 2022. Based on her times from her junior year, she would have the fastest time in the 200-meter backstroke and would have been the third-fastest at the 100-meter backstroke and 200-meter butterfly. Miami University finished third at the 2021 Mid-American Conference Championships. “I think what I’m most excited about is just to really like train hard and also have fun at the same time with my teammates, being surrounded by this group of people who have the same goals that you are going for, creates a really unique environment that really allows you to thrive,” Bachmeier said.
Cactus Shadows High School swimmer Mady Bachmeier has committed to swim for Miami University starting this fall. (Photo courtesy of Mady Bachmeier)
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