Lincoln-Sudbury Standout Sam Mackie to Swim for Bucknell

One of Lincoln-Sudbury's top swimmers is about to join one of the top collegiate teams in the Patriot League.

The Bucknell men's swimming and diving team announced a large 11-person recruiting class last week. The group represents eight different states and has nine swimmers and two divers.

Among that group is former L-S standout Sam Mackie.

In a bio posted on the Bison website, Mackie will participate in the breaststroke and individual medley.

"I’m excited for next year," he said. "It's going to be awesome. It's a good school, good program, good people."

Mackie placed seventh at the USA Swimming Junior Nationals and is a two-time USA Swimming Senior National qualifier.

Mackie, who was ranked No. 1 in New England in both the 100 and 200 breaststroke, is a two-time Massachusetts state champion. He said he's using his past success as reason to feel confident going into his freshman year with the Bison.

"I’m going in pretty confident," he said. "With the intensity of the program and the (Patriot League) and swimming in Divison I, I'm excited to start training and do the best I can do and have fun with it. I'm eager to compete at that level."

Mackie, who will enter his freshman year undeclared, said he plans on training hard and tweaking his form in the breaststroke with one goal: win the Patriot League.

"I don’t think I'll just go and do it ... there's going to be a lot of hard work," he said. "But I know I can do it if I put my mind to it. And it's not just about winning the Patriot League ... it's about racing, racing those guys from Navy and Lehigh and Holy Cross. I think I can do it. I think I will, but it will take a lot of hard work. I'm not there, yet."

His sister, Callie, is a member of Becknell’s Class of 2013. Sam said her time at Bucknell did influence his decision, but it wasn't a major influence.

"I enjoyed it while visiting her there," he said. "I fell in love with the campus and people. But I probably would be going anyway (even if she weren't there)."

Bucknell is coming off a strong year where it had eight All-Patriot League selections and posted a 7-2 dual-meet record. The Bison were 5-1 in Patriot League dual meets.