After graduating recently from the University of Northern Colorado, swimmer Madelyn Moore is taking on a new academic and athletic venture when she transfers to Virginia Tech in the autumn.

Moore, a part of Bermuda’s 17-member team for the Commonwealth Games next month in Birmingham, England, has enjoyed her four years in Colorado, and is now looking forward to new challenges in Virginia as she continues to compete under a new coach.

“Beginning in the fall I will be furthering my athletic and academic career at Virginia Tech to train under the guidance of Sergio Lopez Miro,” Moore said.

“Sergio has proven himself to be an extremely talented coach in both the NCAA and at the international level. His most impressive achievements are having coached swimmers to achieve two Olympic gold medals, five gold, six silver, three bronze Fina World Championship place finishes along with two world records.”

Moore added: “I am extremely excited to have the opportunity to train with world-class athletes and coaching staff. I have already had the opportunity to connect with some of my future team-mates and coaches, and I could not be more thrilled about this next chapter in my swimming career.

“I will have the chance to train with world-class athletes and further my progress towards the Paris Olympic Games in 2024.”

Moore has broken more than a dozen school records while at Colorado as well as setting a Western Athletic Conference and a College Swimming Coaches Association of America national record. She admits it has been a memorable time at Northern Colorado.

“The University of Northern Colorado has been my home for the last four years, and for half of that time I was able to help lead the swim and dive team to some of the most successful collegiate seasons in our programme’s history,” she said proudly.

“During this time, I have broken 13 individual school records, one Western Athletic Conference record, one CSCAA national record, and individually won six gold, two silver and one bronze medal which earned me WAC Swimmer of the Year both in 2021 and 2022.

“Along with representing Northern Colorado, I have also been able to represent Bermuda in several international competitions such as World Championships in South Korea, Hungary and the UAE, Pan American Games in Peru, and the Commonwealth Games in England, and have broken five national records along the way.”

Moore has many people to credit for her success, including her head coach at Northern Colorado.

“The head coach at UNC, Lisa Ebeling, and I developed a unique connection throughout my time here, in which she has taught me what you put into a team’s atmosphere and culture is what you will get out of it,” Moore said.

“And caring about your team’s success as much or more than your own will make your journey that much more fulfilling. I can say after four years, she was right.

“I am so grateful and thankful for everything Lisa, the support staff and administration in the UNC athletic department have done for me during my time here.”

Up to March this year Moore held school records in the 50 metres freestyle, 100 freestyle, 100 backstroke, 100 butterfly and was part of record-breaking efforts in the 200 medley, 400 medley, 200 freestyle and 400 freestyle relays.

The 21-year-old achieved three NCAA “B” cut times in the 100 backstroke, 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle during the past school season.

At the WAC championships this year in Houston, Texas, her time of 22.17 seconds in the 50 freestyle lowered her own school record and is also a meet record and personal best.

She also lowered her school record and personal best in the 100 freestyle after touching the wall in 49.10, while her time of 53.14 in the 100 backstroke is also a school record and personal best.

Moore also holds national records in the 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle, 50 butterfly and 100 butterfly, and is a member of the Bermuda team that holds the 4 x 100m freestyle relay record.

The Commonwealth Games will start on July 28 in Birmingham, where Moore will be one of three swimmers representing the country, Emma Harvey and Jack Harvey being the others. Moore has returned to Denver to prepare for the Games.