The queen's reign continues.
After finishing her junior season with record-breaking performances at the NCAA championships last March, BYU's Mackenzie Miller Lung will make a surprise return to the pool for the 2025-26 season.
As previously reported, Miller Lung planned to only swim for three seasons, citing the high stress she experienced early in her collegiate career and her desire to embrace life after swimming.
But nobody could have predicted the season she would have. Breaking the all-time BYU record in the 200-meter breaststroke with a 2:05.35 notched her second-place finish at the NCAA championships. Her performance that weekend also earned her two All-American selections and recognition as the Big 12 women's swimmer of the year.
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐄𝐍 👑 pic.twitter.com/u2526U0MbC
— BYU Swim and Dive (@BYUSwim_Dive) April 9, 2025
Freshman Lucy Warnick, a fellow breaststroke specialist, has nothing but praise for the Clovis, California, native.
"I was so excited when she told me," she said. "I think she told me when we were in the locker room, and I verbally gasped. I was so excited because she is an integral part of our team. Obviously, in the pool time-wise wise she's integral, but to the culture of the team."
Warnick continued, "She's super competitive and just brings us all up with her and is an amazing training partner and just pushes me every day."
Relationships have been the key for Miller Lung up to this point, including with head coach and breaststroke specialist, Tamber McAllister, who was recently named Big 12 co-coach of the year for swim and dive.
McAllister noted that this season showcased a special connection among the swimmers on the women's team.
"Our women found a voice, and they found some empowerment and strength in and belief in what they were doing," she said. "It's been fun to see their unique bond this year and how much they love each other and support each other, and when you have a group of ladies like that that believe so much in each other, they all step up and that I would say that's how I attribute the success of the year."
Miller Lung has proven to be one of the most important voices in that locker room. Her presence will be crucial as the team looks to raise the tide and improve its competitiveness in the Big 12 conference.