McKenna Mckee: Summer racing and learning

If I am being honest, the past several months have felt like an epiphany, from graduating high school in the middle of a racing block on the other side of the country; to then racing alongside national and world-class athletes; to making memories with new and old friends on and off the bicycle.  This summer has been by far some of my life’s best times.  It has been both a challenging and rewarding process and a crucial part of learning to be more independent and tackle life’s obstacles.  

In June, my mother and I drove four days from Portland, Oregon across the United States to Trexlertown, Pennsylvania. I spent the whole month of June racing the T-Town Summer Games.  It was an incredible experience for me to learn and grow from each event.  Learning how to take things as they come is a crucial aspect that I wish to carry forward to be here in the now and the present moment, which can be hard to do; however, in due time it becomes second nature.  As I spent more time in T-Town after my mother left, I was able to adapt to many different obstacles whether it was because of the time change, learning how to live on my own/ with roommates, gaining more independence, or just learning more about myself, nutrition and my diabetes management.  I believe it was some of the best life experiences I’ve had thus far.  I am so grateful to so many people for all the support I received during my time in June at the Valley Preferred Cycling Center Velodrome.

Here are my results from the UCI T-Town Summer Games:

2022 T-Town UCI Summer Games: Festival of Speed:

4th – UCI Elite Women’s Sprints (200m TT – 11.901)

2022 T-Town Summer Games – Fastest Man & Woman on Wheels:

5th – UCI Elite Women’s Keirin

2022 T-Town Summer Games – USGP:

1st – UCI U23 Women’s Sprints (200m TT – 12.158)

10th – UCI Elite Women’s Sprints (200m TT – 12.023)

5th – UCI Elite Women’s Keirin 

2022 T-Town Summer Games – Discover Lehigh Valley GP:

2nd – UCI U23 Women’s Keirin

7th – UCI Elite Women’s Keirin

9th – UCI Elite Women’s Sprints (200m TT – 12.065)

In July, I started a new training block and was invited to attend USAC Team Sprint Selection Camp with the hopes of being selected.  In the first week of camp, we worked on team sprints. I had the opportunity to work alongside fellow national competitors that I wouldn’t otherwise have the chance to work with and train alongside.  It was a special experience that I am honored I had the privilege to be a part of because it has allowed me to work more closely with fellow team members and receive/deliver feedback and constructive criticism to help me grow as an athlete and with the team. In the second week, the official Pan Am sprint selection was made and I feel humbled and honored to say that I will be representing my county, the United States, and everyone affected by diabetes at my very first Pan American Championships. For the past two weeks, I have been working alongside my fellow teammates gearing up for Pan Ams in Lima, Peru which is Aug 10th – Aug 15th.  

Making Team Novo Nordisk back in 2020 was a dream come true and I feel so incredibly lucky to have such amazing support and inspiration from this team supporting me to chase bigger dreams and bigger goals. Together we are stronger and together we are driving change towards a bigger and brighter future where we will continue to inspire, educate and empower everyone affected by diabetes. 

That’s all for now!  

McKenna Mckee