UMS Wright Grad Qualifies for Olympics with Second-Place Finish

Paige Madden earned an Olympic Games berth this week by taking second to Katie Ledecky in the 2021 Olympic Trials 400-m freestyle. Madden touched second in 1:56.44, dropping more than a second off her previous best time of 1:57.47 set in May. That slots her into 10th all-time among Americans. According to SwimSwam, Madden graduated from UMS-Wright in 2017 with seven Alabama High School State records (50-, 100-, 200- and 500m freestyle; 100m butterfly; 100m backstroke; and 200m individual medley). She has been a two-time Next College Student Athlete Junior National Champion in the 400m freestyle, and recognized as a Speedo Senior National Swimming medalist as a senior, and a junior national medalist as a freshman, sophomore and junior. Madden was named the Alabama Coastal Swimmer of the Year in 2015 and was an Alabama State High School Champion in 11 events and a multiple-event Mobile County High School champion. Madden was also a City of Mobile Swim Association Hall of Fame inductee, Swimmer of the Year and Aquatic League Champion. She qualified for the 2016 Olympic Trials and was a member of the U.S. Junior National Team. Madden has been swimming for the University of Virginia since 2017.