Milligan University

Biography

Paxton Smith enters his senior year with the Milligan men's swimming program after establishing himself as one of the top sprint freestyle and backstroke swimmers in both the Appalachian Athletic Conference and NAIA.

2025-26: Smith captured an AAC championship in the 100-yard backstroke and earned NAIA All-America honors with a seventh-place finish in the event at the NAIA National Championships. He also helped Milligan establish school records in the 400 freestyle relay and 400 medley relay while contributing to an All-America 200 medley relay. Smith was named CSC Academic All-District and earned AAC All-Academic Team honors. His 49.09 in the 100-yard backstroke ranks second in program history, while his 1:49.41 mark in the 200-yard backstroke ranks second all-time.

2024-25: Smith continued to be one of Milligan's top performers, earning runner-up finishes in both the 100-yard freestyle and 100-yard backstroke at the AAC Championships. He qualified for the NAIA National Championships and finished 10th in the 100-yard backstroke and 14th in the 100-yard freestyle. Smith was named CSC Academic All-District, a CSCAA Scholar All-American and a Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete during the season.

2023-24: As a freshman, Smith made an immediate impact by sweeping individual AAC titles in the 50-yard freestyle, 100-yard freestyle and 100-yard backstroke. He followed that performance with NAIA All-America honors in the 100-yard backstroke and was named both AAC Swimmer of the Year and AAC Freshman of the Year. Smith also helped the Buffs capture multiple AAC relay championships.