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USC Snags Verbal Commitment from Mission Viejo’s Macky Hodges, #16 in 2023

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Macky Hodges from Ladera Ranch, California has made a verbal commitment to swim and study at the University of Southern California, kicking off the Trojans’ class of 2027.

“I am so beyond excited to announce my verbal commitment to swim and study at the University of Southern California. So thankful for my coaches, friends, and family for all the love and support. Can’t wait for the next chapter of my life as a Trojan. Fight On‼️✌️”

A two-time USA Swimming Scholastic All-American, Hodges ranks 16th on our Way Too Early list of top-20 recruits from the high school class of 2023. She is currently a junior at Santa Margarita Catholic High School and swims year-round with Mission Viejo Nadadores. At the 2021 CIF Southern Section Division I Championships, which the Santa Margarita girls won for the seventh straight time, Hodges won the 500 free (4:47.56) and was runner-up to current high school, current club, and future college teammate Justina Kozan in the 200 free (1:47.34). She also led off the winning 200 medley (25.46 backstroke) and 400 free (50.12) relays. She wrapped up her sophomore year high school season with lifetime bests in the 100/200/500 free and 50 back.

In April and May, Hodges had a series of outstanding long course performances, beginning with an Olympic Trials Wave II cut of 2:00.00 in the 200 free at Pro Swim Series-Mission Viejo. Later in the month, she notched PBs in the 50 free (26.49) and 100 fly (1:04.19). In May, she added best times in the 400 free (4:19.91) and 200 back (2:16.26) at Grand Challenge.

Hodges is a solid middle-distance freestyler but has also developed into a Summer Nationals-level backstroker, with times of 1:02.77/2:16.26 in LCM.

Best SCY times:

  • 500 free – 4:47.56
  • 200 free – 1:47.30
  • 100 free – 50.12
  • 200 back – 1:57.63
  • 100 back – 54.98
  • 50 back – 25.46

Hodges’ best times in the 200 free and 500 free would both have landed her on the A/B-final cusp at 2021 Pac-12 Championships and her 200 back time would have put her solidly in the B final.

If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to [email protected].

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50M Pools Rule
3 years ago

That would be a helluva baseball player name!
“Now batting, #22, Mackey Hodges.”

Reply to  50M Pools Rule
3 years ago

Macky looks like she’d be on the USC Beach Volleyball team right now. Until a new USC football coach is announced, Trojans are now a basketball school in both Men’s and Women’s BB.

SCCOACH
Reply to  50M Pools Rule
3 years ago

A Cal fan making a USC football joke…

That’s the joke

Admin
3 years ago

What a last name though

Sid Frisco
Reply to  Coleman Hodges
3 years ago

Destined for greatness.

Holden’s Dad
3 years ago

Congrats Macky! Great you will be close to your family. The Smith’s wish you the best from Kentucky and look forward to cheering you on at juniors!

50M Pools Rule
Reply to  Holden’s Dad
3 years ago

People who downvote comments like this have issues.

50M Pools Rule
Reply to  50M Pools Rule
3 years ago

And those who downvote my downvote commentary 🤣

Dee
3 years ago

the Schubert effect continues

Huh
3 years ago

Why are kids committing to USC right now? No idea who the HC will be and if Kipps out probably a whole new staff next year

Bruh
Reply to  Huh
3 years ago

Team over staff

oxyswim
Reply to  Huh
3 years ago

Think there’s a decent chance that Lea gets the nod if Kipp does end up getting fired, but it’s certainly interesting that they feel comfortable committing with that uncertainty.

Sid Frisco
Reply to  Huh
3 years ago

Maybe there is a whole lot less uncertainty than you think.

SCCOACH
Reply to  Huh
3 years ago

SoCal kid wants to stay in SoCal at a great school with a scholarship. I think lots of swimmers take this regardless of who the coach is.

Awsi Dooger
Reply to  SCCOACH
3 years ago

I have no idea why this isn’t self explanatory. Same thing with Stanford. Far too much attention to trivial detail around here while ignoring the big picture

Chas E
Reply to  Awsi Dooger
3 years ago

Are you joking? A head coach is far from a trivial detail. A swimmer will spend 4-6 hours a day with said coach. I think that relationship is pretty important among other things.

Lea underachieved at Stanford as a head coach for years. USC should try someone else.

Taa
Reply to  Chas E
3 years ago

They just swam wicked fast at early season meet

Come on
Reply to  Huh
3 years ago

Coaching staffs are always in flux at any school, the team is not. Kids should realize you don’t commit to a coach. Find a team that you’re going to love, after all the stuff the usc team went through last year they didn’t have a single transfer. That shows how much of a family it is

Erik
Reply to  Come on
3 years ago

If you are committing to a team the fall of your junior year, 50% of the team that you love that you spent one weekend with is going to be gone. Furthermore, saying kids shouldn’t commit to a coach? Don’t see that ever happening.. no one is ever committing to UVA if I am coaching versus TD. TD and his staff have created that team and it’s culture. The swimmers perpetuate it, but do you really think its the same team without this staff? Be reasonable….

Gage
Reply to  Erik
3 years ago

Yea it’s not like Todd puts pressure on 16-17 year old kids to commit at all

Reply to  Huh
3 years ago

How about value of a USC degree over a lifetime. College choice is one of the important decisions you make in your life. The other is who you marry. Make it with a long view rather than a short view, like coaches. Macky would be a high school team mate of USC class of 2022 recruit Justina Kozan at Santa Margarita Catholic.

Macky has that USC look! And she’s standing by that cove in Laguna Beach where I proposed to my wive years ago! That was my most important decision.

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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