By Anne Lepesant on SwimSwam
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2026-2027 USA National Junior Team Member Kate McKinnon from Centennial, Colorado, has announced her intention to swim and study at the University of Tennessee beginning in the fall of 2028. She confirmed to SwimSwam: “Tennessee felt like the perfect fit for me academically, athletically, and personally. The coaching staff’s commitment to excellence, the culture of the team, and the family atmosphere made it an easy choice. I can’t wait to contribute to such a special program.”
McKinnon is one of the most talented sprinters in the cohort, for which we named her to the “Honorable Section” of our Way Too Early list of top girls’ swimming recruits from the class of 2028. She swims for Cherry Creek High School, where she is a USA Swimming Scholastic All-American, and Aquawolves Swim Team. She focuses mainly on the shorter end of the freestyle range, fly, breast, and IM.
In her first two years of prep swimming, she has already won 8 Colorado High School 5A State titles, including the 50/100 free (22.79/49.91), 200 medley relay, and 400 free relay as a freshman, and the 100/200 free (49.15/1:48.93), 200 free relay, and 400 free relay as a sophomore in 2026. The Cherry Creek 400 free relay in 2025, which she anchored, set the CHSAA 5A State Record that had been in the books since 2011, when Missy Franklin anchored the record-breaking relay.
At 2025 Winter Juniors West, McKinnon finaled in the 50 free (17th), 100 free (4th), and 200 free (9th), while earning PBs in the 100 free (48.95), 200 free (1:47.36), and 100 fly (54.04). In March, she competed at Four Corners Sectionals and improved her 100 free (48.66) and 200 free (1:46.70) times. She was runner-up in the 50/100/200 free, 100 fly, and 200 IM.
McKinnon had a strong long course season, which culminated in her representing Team USA at the 2026 Junior Pan Pacific Championships. There, she won an individual silver medal in the 50 free (25.39) and a gold medal as part of the 4×100 free relay (55.04 split). She also competed in the 100 free (11th in finals), 200 free (19th in prelims), and 100 fly (17th in prelims). McKinnon earned her spot on the team at U.S. National Championships, where she unleashed a slew of lifetime bests, including 25.06 in the 50 free (18th place), 55.28 in the 100 free (20th), 2:02.47 in the 200 free (39th), 4:23.59 in the 400 (58th), and 1:01.92 in the 100 fly (57th). At Summer Juniors the following week, she went a PB of 26.91 in the 50 fly to finish 3rd.
Best SCY times:
50 free – 22.64 100 free – 48.66 200 free – 1:46.70 100 fly – 54.02 50 breast – 29.80 200 IM – 2:01.93 (2:00.73 altitude-adjusted) 400 IM – 4:24.62McKinnon will join #4 Ellie Clarke and #12 Jianna Amores in the Tennessee class of 2032. Her times slot nicely into a program that has developed excellent sprinters in recent years. In addition to her individual events, McKinnon will be a huge asset for the Tennessee relays.
I am beyond excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at the University of Tennessee! First I want to thank my family and friends for their love and support. Coach Sean, who’s help me become the swimmer and person I am today. Coach Chris, Coach Laura, and Coach Karin for their support throughout the seasons, and to all of my teammates and mentors who have been part of this journey. A HUGE thank you to Coach Matt, Coach Rob, Coach Sarah, Coach Rich, Coach Ashley, and Coach Caleb for believing in me and welcoming me into the Volunteer family. I am honored to have the opportunity to compete for such incredible people under an amazing program! Lastly, I also want to thank every coach and university who invested their time in recruiting me throughout this process. I am truly grateful for the relationships, opportunities, and support I received along the way. Go Vols!
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