Mykenzie Leehy, a sophomore swimmer at the University of Houston, hit the wall at Houston’s last, non-competitive home meet of the year rounding out her time of 56.02 seconds for the 100-meter freestyle, a new personal record. Leehy didn’t know what had just occurred until she looked at the clock; Leehy had just made the Olympic Trial cut with her time in the women’s 100 freestyle. Her team went crazy as the moment became surreal to her.
“I was such a mess afterwards because I was so overwhelmed by the support I got from my team, coaches, family and friends,” Kenzie said.
It’s moments like these that are most memorable and cherished by Division I athlete Mykenzie, but none of it would have been accomplished with the absence of a supportive community surrounding her, hardwork and the love of swimming and bettering her abilities.
Growing up, Mykenzie was involved in a plethora of extracurriculars, including soccer, dance, basketball, softball, swim and volleyball.
“I really enjoyed soccer and volleyball, which are both total team sports,” Leehy states while reflecting on her high school years. “Those taught me to be a team player and to work hard for my team.”
It was not until middle school when Mykenzie began to focus her time and energy on swimming. Once she realized how great she could become, Leehy started dropping other sports and activities in order to make time for the time consumption swimming would require.
Leehy got her first experience on a swim team when she and her sister joined a summer league in Avoca, Iowa. Lauren Leehy, one of Mykenzie’s three sisters and a swimmer at the University of Iowa, was the first to commit to the lifestyle swimming mandated.
“[Lauren] was kind of the guinea pig with swimming because she experienced everything first, so I kind of learned from her mistakes,” Mykenzie said. “I think that has helped my success.”
After joining a summer league, Mykenzie began swimming in high school and training in hopes to swim in college. Leehy said by her senior year of high school she was “recruited pretty heavily” by colleges all over the country, but it was not until a visit to Houston when she reached a decision. The University of Houston was Leehy’s first recruiting trip, and she describes the visit as something that just clicked with her.
“The team was a bunch of goofballs, and that attracted my personality to them. The coaches weren’t pressuring me in any way. I wouldn’t trade my decision for any other school,” Mykenzie explains. “Houston is where I am meant to be.”
While hardwork and perseverance have helped Leehy to get where she is today, it is not to be said there were never obstacles along the way she had to overcome. Leehy admits she has struggled with and still combats confidence issues and others’ expectations. The questions of “Am I good enough?” and “What do others think of me?” are constantly looping in her head.
“I always want to be perfect for everyone else, like my team and coaches. I am not the kind of person to want all the attention on me,” Mykenzie confesses.
Being in a sport like swimming, especially in non-relay events, “you need that confidence boost,” according to Leehy. She also explains that low confidence levels has the potential to affect swim times.
Leehy says her most recent swim season was when she mostly had to show her confidence, which made her uncomfortable at times, but was vital for maximum performance and to achieving her goals. In fact, the biggest goal to date for Mykenzie was achieved when she qualified for the Olympic trials.
“My overall goals have always been to work hard and that has never changed,” Mykenzie said. “A couple weeks ago, I made it to the trials, and my dream since I was 10 finally came true.”
Growing up as an athlete, pressure is apparent. The level of competition in the Division I athletics is quite contrasted from the high school level. Leehy’s advice to those hoping to compete at such a level is to “just stay true to yourself.”
“Staying true to yourself is important because that’s what got you to Division One athletics in the first place,” Mykenzie said. “Athletics are important but overall happiness in life is the most important.”
Now, Mykenzie is soaking up the significant achievement and beginning to train for the 2020 Olympic trials all while being a full-time student studying sports administration. With graduation, Leehy thinks her swimming career will come to an end, but will keep swimming leisurely and for a workout.
With complete dedication, Leehy is proof that dreams can come true. And I can personally tell you how great she is, too!
I danced with Kenz and was affiliated with her family for the last 16 years of my life. Honestly, I was always kind of scared of her because she was tall, strong, and older than me, while I was short, small, and shy. Growing up though, we became pretty close, especially my junior year of high school, and now I am sad to imagine a world where a bubbly Mykenzie isn’t a part of. I know I wouldn’t want to live in it!
The thing about most D1 athletes that none of us want to say (but all of us are thinking) is the expectation they’re all full of themselves or cocky, as they should be— they’re D1 athletes. I mean, it sort of gives them the right to think highly of themselves, since they’re obviously good at what they do, but Kenzie is one of the most humble gals I have ever met. Truth. I’m not even just saying that, I promise. She is incredible at what she does and deserving of all her recognitions, awards, honors, and achievements.
While writing this piece about Kenz, I realized her talents don’t make her invincible; she actually struggles with a lot of the same things I do. I see a lot of her in me, which makes me happy and inspired. Kenzie’s heart is made of gold and her smile and personality lights up any room she walks in! She truly brings that Houston sunshine with her wherever she goes, and I’m so lucky to know her, let alone be her friend.