McDonald Named to Swimming and Diving Employees

EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern director of swimming and diving Rachel Stratton-Mills introduced the addition of Mario McDonald to the swimming and diving teaching employees on Monday.

McDonald begins his teaching profession at Northwestern after a powerful five-year collegiate swimming profession at Ohio State. As a Buckeye, he competed in three NCAA Championships from 2023-25. He produced a Second-Team All-American efficiency as a member of this system’s 400 free relay in 2024, and he additionally contributed to a pair of All-American Honorable Mentions this spring within the 200 free relay and the 400 free relay on the 2025 championships.

In 2024, he certified for the 50 free US Olympic Team Trials at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

“We’re excited to welcome Mario to our staff,” Stratton-Mills mentioned. “Coming off an accomplished career in the Big Ten, he brings a firsthand understanding of what it takes to succeed at the highest level of our conference. His perspective, energy, and passion for the sport will be a great asset as we continue to elevate our program.”

The freestyle specialist additionally racked up a number of scholar-athlete awards in Columbus. He acquired Academic All-Big Ten honors from 2021-25, was named Big Ten Distinguished Scholar in 2023 and 2025 and was a two-time CSCAA Scholar All-American Honorable Mention. He earned his M.S. in Kinesiology at Ohio State.

The Farmington Hills, Michigan, native was a nine-time All-State honoree and an eight-time All-American at Detroit Catholic High School. Swimming for head coach Jessica Stoddard, he was a Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) All-American, a NISCA All-American and a NISCA Academic All-American.

Northwestern will host Southern Illinois & Miami (OH) on October 11 to start the 2025 season.