Oklahoma high school swimming: McGuinness' Macy Lewis looks to join exclusive club

Macy Lewis knows she has a chance of doing something special at the Class 6A state swim meet this weekend.

With six individual state titles, the Bishop McGuinness star and Texas A&M signee can become the fifth girls swimmer in state history to claim eight during her high school career.

But as the meet gets closer, Lewis is trying not to think about it too much.

“I’m trying to go into my races with a positive mindset that I’m just going to do my best no matter the outcome,” Lewis said. “That I’m going to be proud of myself. But obviously, if I do it, it would be really awesome afterwards, but I’m trying not to stress about it too much.”

Lewis will compete in the prelims Friday, and the finals are set for Saturday in Jenks. If she claims two more titles, she’ll join Lori Halvorson (Jenks), Piper McNeil (Shawnee), Hanna Newby (Bishop McGuinness) and Samantha Woodward (Edmond Memorial) as the only girls swimmers in state history to claim eight championships.

Accomplishing this feat would obviously be a huge deal within the Oklahoma high school swimming world.

“It would be motivational not just for the swim team but for all athletes to know that accomplishing something like that or even getting close to that accomplishment, it’s a huge feat,” said Mark Veneklasen, who has been Lewis’ head coach throughout her time at McGuinness.

“And it doesn’t happen all the time and it takes a special dedicated individual to get to that point. And when you get to the state championship meet, a lot of things happen. Not just physical but mental, so there’s a lot that goes into that. We’re talking hundredths of a second when we talk about state swim meets.”

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Lewis won the 100-yard backstroke (56.93 seconds) and 100 butterfly (58.19) at the West Regional in Edmond this month.

This will be her first time swimming at the Class 6A state meet as McGuinness was in Class 5A during her first three years with the Irish.

A swimmer since her childhood, she followed her older sister, Allie, into the sport and both are state champions.

Allie won the Class 5A title in the 50 freestyle last season before graduating.

Macy instantly dominated when she arrived at McGuinness. She's always been someone who leads by her actions, and that remains true as she gets ready for her final state swim meet.

“She’s not the obnoxious type,” Veneklasen said. “She’s, I would say, more introverted than extroverted and extremely humble. And she knows her position, she knows her job and she’s dedicated to doing a good job. She’s a very smart individual, as well. Intellectually, she’s up there.”

Lewis often trains twice a day.

She does things on top of swimming, from pilates to weight lifting, and sets the bar high for herself.

“I do put in a lot of work every season,” Lewis said. “All my weeks are just swimming and so I do put in a lot of hard work. And just wanting to be there and wanting to get better, I think I’ve always kind of just wanted to get better. Even if I go best time, I’m like, ‘Oh, I can go faster.’”

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Along with competing for McGuinness, Lewis swims for the American Energy Swim Club, which is based in Edmond.

Lewis has formed some of her best friends while swimming with the club, most notably Stillwater standout and LSU signee Avery Littlefield and McNeil, who is now at Missouri.

“I honestly think that Avery Littlefield and Piper, they both have pushed me to be better,” Lewis said. “Because we all kind of help each other through the tough times. But yeah, I definitely think that I look up to them the most of anyone.”

Lewis’ attention to detail is one thing that has set her apart and might often go unnoticed by some.

But Veneklasen doesn’t overlook that.

It’s something he values as much as anything.

“It goes beyond just getting motivated for practice and getting through practice,” Veneklasen said. “You study the sport. You study the finer things that make you go faster and you work on every little aspect. And it takes hours and hours to get there. And it takes a special person.”

Nick Sardis covers high school sports for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Nick? He can be reached at nsardis@oklahoman.com or on Twitter at @nicksardis. Sign up for The Varsity Club newsletter to access more high school coverage. Support Nick's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma HS swimming: McGuinness' Macy Lewis looks to join elite club