McKenzie Siroky Blasts Personal Best in 100 Breaststroke to Claim National Title
By now, the story of McKenzie Siroky is well-known in the sport. She was a former ice hockey standout who arrived late to the pool, only to rapidly develop into a standout at the University of Tennessee. Part II of Siroky’s tale is her continued development in the long-course pool, and as a dual-distance threat.
When Siroky claimed the title in the 50-meter breaststroke at the United States National Championships, that victory was hardly surprising. Siroky has established herself as one of the world’s top breaststroke sprinters, with a best time of 29.64 over one lap. On Friday night at the William Woollett Aquatics Center, Siroky took a massive step forward in the 100 breaststroke, in which she notched a time of 1:05.64 and earned a victory over Team USA star Kate Douglass.
Not surprising, Siroky flashed speed down the first length at Nationals, splitting 30.64 for the lead over Douglass (30.85). At that point, the thought was Douglass would take control of the race and eventually pull away. Siroky had other ideas, however, and battled stroke for stroke with Douglass, only to emerge with a narrow triumph. While Siroky touched the wall in 1:05.64, Douglass was timed in 1:05.66, a positive indicator a little more than a week away from the start of the Pan Pacific Championships.
Siroky’s effort improved her personal best by .54 and vaulted her to third in the world rankings. Her performance is the latest chapter in a steadily developing career. Following a third-place finish in the 100-yard breaststroke for Tennessee at the 2025 NCAA Championships, Siroky was the runnerup in the event at the 2026 NCAA Champs. She followed that showing by excelling at the Mare Nostrum Series in Europe, where she clocked several sub-30 marks in the 50 breaststroke.
If Siroky was viewed as a sprint breaststroker before Friday night, that narrative has instantly changed. She will now leave Nationals surging with confidence and recognized for her ability to extend her talent to two laps. That momentum should serve her well at Pan Pacs, and on the path to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
