Agon is the proud sponsor of all high school coverage (recruiting, results, state championships, etc.) on SwimmingWorld.com. For more information about Agon, visit their website Agonswim.com.
With the announcement of the UNC-Asheville signing class of 2019, Head Coach Elizabeth Lykins adds considerable depth to her program, gaining additional momentum as the third-year team continues to thrive.
“It’s exciting we’re able to bring in such a diverse and strong group of young ladies,” said Lykins. “Each has their own strength and will add something unique to our program. We have a mix of swimmers who will make an immediate impact on our scoring roster and those who we believe have the ability to improve exponentially.”
With a strong out-of-state contingent, the incoming group of 12 boasts three women from Georgia, one each from Illinois, Kentucky, South Carolina and Texas, as well as five ladies from North Carolina.
As the program continues to grow, Coach Lykins believes it’s important for the squad to be as strong and versatile as possible. “We always want to recruit top ranked swimmers, but the best squad is definitely the deepest squad.”
INCOMING CLASS:
Haley Bennison
Hometown: Wake Forest, N.C.
High School: Heritage
Club Team: New Wave Swim Team
Best Times
100 Butterfly – 59.42
200 Butterfly – 2:13.44
50 Freestyle – 25.45
100 Freestyle – 55.37
200 Individual Medley – 2:16.63
Coach Lykins’ Quote:
“Haley is a very smart in-state addition to the class of 2019. WAVE swimmers have a strong reputation for hard work, and she is no exception. Haley will contribute in the pool mostly in butterfly events with some freestyle and IM appearances. Haley, welcome to the Bulldog family!”
Madison Grace Bristow
Hometown: Acworth, Ga.
High School: Kell
Club Team: Stingrays Swimming
Best Times
200 Individual Medley – 2:13.43
400 Individual Medley – 4:43.13
200 Butterfly – 2:14.58
Coach Lykins’ Quote:
“A strong student, Madison hails from Stringrays Swimming out of Cobb County GA. The individual medleys as well as 200 backstroke and butterfly will see lots of action from Bristow. We are excited Madison chose UNC Asheville as her new home for the next four years.”
Katie Brown
Hometown: Woodstock, Ga.
High School: River Ridge
Club Team: Chattahoochee Gold Swim Club
Best Times
100 Backstroke – 59.58
200 Backstroke – 2:10.76
100 Butterfly – 1:01.12
Coach Lykins’ Quote:
“Brown is an excellent pupil in the classroom and the pool. Katie’s success in both backstrokes and the 100 fly will give depth to the Bulldog stroke squads. Joining us from Chattahoochee GOLD in North Atlanta, we are eager to have Katie’s tenacity and commitment as part of the Bulldog family.”
Abby Cassario
Hometown: Raleigh, N.C.
High School: Wakefield
Club Team: YMCA of the Triangle Area
Best Times
500 Freestyle – 5:22.21
1000 Freestyle – 11:06.53
1650 Freestyle – 18:41.15
Coach Lykins’ Quote:
“From the YMCA of the Triangle Area, we welcome Abby Cassario to the class of 2019. YOTA swimmers are recognized as superb teammates with distinct discipline. This strong, in-state student will see action in the 500 & longer freestyle swims as well as both butterfly events. Abby’s club coaches describe her as the consummate teammate and we can’t wait to have her come to campus in August.”
Elizabeth Conte
Hometown: Cary, N.C.
High School: Northwood
Club Team: North Carolina Aquatic Club
Best Times
50 Freestyle – 24.59
100 Freestyle – 54.88
200 Freestyle – 1:59.79
Coach Lykins’ Quote:
“Hailing from North Carolina Aquatic Club (NCAC) and Cary, NC, Conte has huge potential in all distances of the freestyle. Elizabeth only recently fully committed herself to the sport of swimming and earned huge payoffs this short-course season. We are excited to add depth to our team with Elizabeth’s events and fun personality.”
Alex Moon
Hometown: Simpsonville, Ky.
High School: Martha Layne Collins
Club Team: Lakeside Seahawks
Best Times
100 Backstroke – 59.22
200 Backstroke – 2:08.84
50 Freestyle – 25.62
100 Freestyle – 54.42
1000 Freestyle – 10:59.61
Coach Lykins’ Quote:
“Alex Moon is a backstroke specialist with rapidly improving distance freestyle events. Moon’s butterfly is a solid third stroke bringing versatility to her program. We look forward to having Alex join the Bulldog family and add more speed to our strong backstroke squad.”
Anna Catharine Nazemi
Hometown: Asheville, N.C.
High School: A.C. Reynolds
Club Team: Asheville Swim Club
Best Times
50 Freestyle – 25.59 (c)
100 Freestyle – 56.21
200 Freestyle – 2:01.52
Coach Lykins’ Quote:
“A fifth in-state team addition is Anna Catharine Nazemi from a local USA Swimming squad, Asheville Swim Club. Nazemi’s club coach describes her as mature, hard working and with a strong desire to improve. She will contribute her efforts in the freestyle events and short fly when she gets to campus this fall, and we are excited to have her.”
Emma Nelson
Hometown: Evans, Ga.
High School: Lakeside
Club Team: Aiken-Augusta Swim League
Best Times
100 Backstroke – 59.31
200 Backstroke – 2:09.69
50 Freestyle – 25.72
100 Freestyle – 55.80
200: Individual Medley – 2:13.57
Coach Lykins’ Quote:
“Emma’s strength in the backstroke & short freestyle events is a welcomed addition to our squad. She hails from August, GA where her club coach is known for aptly preparing his team members for collegiate swimming. We greatly anticipate having Emma on campus in the Fall as part of the Bulldog family.”
Morgan Rulevich
Hometown: Lake Wylie, S.C.
High School: Clover
Club Team: Upper Palmetto YMCA Rays
Best Times
50 Freestyle – 23.95
100 Freestyle – 52.24
200 Freestyle – 1:52.17
100 Breaststroke – 1:04.09
200 Breaststroke – 2:21.33
Coach Lykins’ Quote:
“The squad’s first commitment from South Carolina has exponential potential as she moves from a multi-sport high school athlete to a full-time collegiate swimmer. Morgan Rulevich will be an integral sprint freestyler and breaststroker for the Bulldogs. We look forward to expanding the breaststroke squad and using her skill set for improved relays. Welcome to the Bulldog family, Morgan.”
Hannah Stuart
Hometown: Houston, Texas
High School: Stratford
Best Times
50 Freestyle – 25.51
100 Freestyle – 54.09
50 Butterfly – 26.68
100 Butterfly – 1:01.02
Coach Lykins’ Quote:
“Hailing from Stratford High in Houston, TX, Hannah Stuart has chosen UNC Asheville for her collegiate swimming career. Stuart is an excellent student who will have contribution opportunities in the 50, 100 & 200 freestyles as well as the butterfly events. Hannah brings a unique high school swimming perspective to the Bulldogs, and we look forward to having her on campus in the fall.”
Sydney VandenBerg
Hometown: Concord, N.C.
High School: Central Cabarrus
Club Team: Sailfish Aquatics
Best Times
200 Individual Medley – 2:10.95
400 Individual Medley – 4:35.80
500 Freestyle – 5:10.67
1000 Freestyle – 10:41.36
Coach Lykins’ Quote:
“Another great in-state addition had an excellent short-course season showing time drops in seven events. Sydney will be utilized in the 200 & 400 IM, as well as the distance freestyle events. We are excited to have her join the program bringing a dedicated work ethic and her constant smile to the Bulldog family.”
Jessica Woolfe
Hometown: Elmhurst, Ill.
High School: York Community
Club Team: Westmont Swim Club
Best Times
50 Backstroke – 26.90
100 Backstroke – 57.92
200 Backstroke – 2:09.01
50 Freestyle – 24.08 (r)
100 Freestyle – 54.20
Coach Lykins’ Quote:
“Joining the Bulldog class of 2019, Jessica Woolfe will contribute significantly to the sprint team. Her successes in the short free and backstroke events add depth to the squad as she competes for relay spots. As a member of the Bulldog family, Jessica will make an exceptional teammate.”
The above article is a press release submitted to Swimming World. To reach our audience, contact us at newsmaster@swimmingworld.com.