Photo courtesy of Joshua McDonald
Cincinnati, Ohio’s Joshua McDonald has committed to the University of Kentucky for 2017-18. McDonald swims for the Cincinnati Marlins and specializes in distance freestyle. The Lakota East High School senior won the Ohio state high school title in the 500 free as a sophomore in 2015. Last year he was runner-up (4:27.81) and won the consolation of the 200 free (1:40.85). He also anchored Lakota East’s 400 free relay (46.70f/46.31p).
In club swimming McDonald has made the national news on numerous occasions as a member of the Marlins’ relays that have been breaking national age group records over the last several years. He has had his name etched in the national record books 6 times since the 11-12 age group.
McDonald was selected to the NCSA All-Star team that traveled to the Irish Open in 2015. He won three medals and notched a personal-best in the 1500m free at the meet. At 2016 Speedo Summer Junior Nationals he finished top-8 in both the 400 and 1500m freestyles, and was 12th in the 800m free. His best times:
| SCY | LCM | |
| 50 free | 21.63. | 24.56 |
| 100 free | 47.02 | 53.26 |
| 200 free | 1:38.88 | 1:52.72 |
| 500/400 free | 4:23.44 | 3:58.92 |
| 1650/1500 free | 15:35.77 | 15:50.90 |
| 200 fly | 1:51.80 | . |
McDonald will suit up for the Wildcats with fellow class of 2021 commits Hank Siefert and Nick Smith.
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