Mandarin High School junior Kensey McMahon has been selected as the 2017 Semper Fidelis All-American by the United States Marine Corps. It is a scholarship program recognizing those who have dedicated themselves to succeeding in every aspect of life, and she is one of 96 student-athletes from across the country to earn this title.
Each applicant was required to demonstrate active community service, hold a leadership position, participate in a competitive team sport for his/her school, maintain a minimum 3.5 GPA, and submit a video or written essay describing his/her fighting spirit. McMahon wrote about her fight to rise in the ranks in swimming while staying strong in the classroom this year in the highly rigorous Cambridge AICE Diploma Program.
This extremely rewarding and exhausting year has involved her taking 8 classes, training 22-28 hours per week before and after school, and traveling and competing locally, nationally, and internationally with the Mustangs, The Bolles School Sharks, and USA Swimming National Junior Team. McMahon has been swimming for Bolles for nine years and earned a spot on the National Junior Team this year when she stepped outside her specialty of distance pool racing and competed and placed in her first National Open Water 10K.
With her dedication to excellence in school and athletics, she will travel to Washington, D.C., this summer for five days to attend the Battles Won Academy. It is an all-expenses paid leadership program including an immersive Marine Corp training experience, behind the scenes tour of the Nation’s Capital, opportunity to network with an elite circle of speakers, and opportunity to compete for college scholarship money.
McMahon is actively involved in the college recruiting process with several top Division I swim programs. She has her sights set on a run for the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo and is trying to position herself in the best possible situation to reach that goal.
Other national level recognitions earned this school year:
- USA Swimming Scholastic All American (4.5 GPA, 1650-yard freestyle)
- USA Swimming National Age Group Award (1500-meter free, 1650-yard free)
- NISCA/Speedo Swimming All American (500-yard free)
- Winter Junior Championships – East Finalist (1650-yard free)
- National Honor Society
- National Spanish Honor Society
McMahon is the All-American girl and a champion, and she embodies everything it means to be In the Game.
The All-American Girl
By: Courtney Wagner
