PMHS alum Maddie Hartigan is flying across the pool for the Bucknell University swimming team.

She set school records in the 100 freestyle (50.01) and the 1,000 freestyle (9:53.16) at the Patriot League Challenge Meet with American and Loyola (Maryland). The Bucknell junior won all four of her individual events and was a member of three runner-up relay teams at the same meet. In a Covid-abbreviated season, she won six out of seven races, bringing her career total of wins to 42, according to a press release from Bucknell.

The psychology major is also taking care of her studies. She was voted to the 2021 Academic All-Patriot League Team.

“I started swimming because my sisters swim,” said Hartigan. “Also, for me, I like it so much because it is like an individual sport but also a team sport. You swim for yourself, but also you swim for your team. Which I think is really fun.”

She started swimming when she was five at the Pelham Country Club. When she was seven, she joined a year-round club, which is more serious. She has been doing that since.

“Our team at Bucknell, we are all really close, which I think is one of the reasons I am so successful,” Hartigan said. “Everyone is super close and motivating about everything. And it is really just a great environment.”

Hartigan was on a national team in high school. In her freshman year at Bucknell, she broke the school 500-freestyle record and followed by taking the 200-freestyle record as a sophomore. Hartigan is a two-time All-Patriot League First Team selection and five-time Patriot League individual medalist, the press release said.

“I like it so much is because it is just awarding, after working really hard in a sport and getting the best time or accomplishing something,” Hartigan said.