Claire DeSelm, daughter of Rich DeSelm, head coach of the men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, has chosen to continue her swimming career at the University of Notre Dame.
The young DeSelm has been a five-time state champion in North Carolina specializing in a variety of events. At the 2016 3A State NCHSAA Championships she placed first in the 100 fly and fourth in the 200 IM. She had previously won both events at the 2015 and 2014 state championships.
DeSelm told Swimming World, “I chose Notre Dame because it is an incredible school and the swim team team is driven and energetic! I am so excited to be able to join the tradition at Notre Dame and the diverse and hard working culture of the school. I cannot wait to swim with the Notre Dame team under Coach Litzinger and Coach Woo and represent the University! Go Irish!!”
DeSelm’s top short course yard (SCY) times are as followed:
100 back– 56.37
100 fly– 54.77
200 fly– 2:00.08
200 IM– 2:02.59
400 IM– 4:23.64
Swimming at Notre Dame will provide DeSelm with a familiar face as head coach Mike Lutzinger coached at the University of North Carolina beginning in 2007 until he accepted the head coach position at Notre Dame in 2015.
Press Release from Notre Dame
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – University of Notre Dame swimming head coach Mike Litzinger is very familiar with the DeSelm family. After all, he used to work with Rich DeSelm, the head men’s and women’s swimming and diving coach at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill before accepting the head coaching job with the Irish.
Perhaps the pre-existing familiarity is what led Rich’s daughter Claire, a senior at Chapel Hill High School, to choose the University of Notre Dame for the next four years of her career.
“I am incredibly excited to join the team at the University of Notre Dame, “DeSelm exclaimed. “I cannot wait to be able to study at this diverse institution, and swim under Coach Litzinger and Coach Woo, alongside their motivated and inspiring team at Notre Dame. I am so excited to learn and grow, and do my best to contribute to the swim program and the school. I have known Coach Mike since he came to UNC, and am so excited to be able to swim under a coach I already trust – and one that has proven to be an exceptional 200 fly coach.”
“Claire is a terrific fit for Notre Dame,” said Litzinger. “She will make the most of her experience as a student, an athlete, and as a vital part of our University community. Claire brings a blue-collar work ethic to the pool, and will be an outstanding teammate. I am looking forward to working with her and the rest of our incoming athletes in helping the Irish swimming program build a great future.”
DeSelm, born in Charlotte but raised in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, is a five-time North Carolina state champion who can lay claim to several prestigious accomplishments in and out of the pool to date. She joins Reilly Lanigan and Erin Sheehan as incoming IM-ers for the Irish, and will add class depth alongside Katie Rentz, Sheehan and fellow North Carolinian Carolyn Kammeyer in the 100 and 200 fly events.
Stay tuned to und.com for updates throughout the summer on all things Fighting Irish swimming and diving.
Claire DeSelm, 5’5”, Fly/IM (Chapel Hill, North Carolina/Chapel Hill/North Carolina Aquatic Club)
Top Times:
100 Free (SCY) – 51.82
200 Free (SCY) – 1:51.55
100 Back (SCY) – 56.37
200 Back (SCY) – 2:02.39
100 Fly (SCY) – 54.77
200 Fly ((SCY) – 2:00.08
200 IM (SCY) – 2:02.59
400 IM (SCY) – 4:23.64
Prep & Personal: Athletic swimmer who joins eight other incoming freshwomen in the class of 2020 … swam with prep team at Chapel Hill High School and on North Carolina Aquatic Club (NCAC) team all four years of high school … with NCAC, named most valuable player four consecutive times and helped team finish second at 2015 Senior National meet … as a freshman with prep team, finished third in 100 fly and fourth in 200 IM at North Carolina State Championships … improved to state champion in both events as a sophomore … crowned Big 8 Conference, Division 3A Women’s Swimming State Championship MVP for her titles and was recognized as a Scholastic All-American in both events … also recognized as high school swimming All-American … as a Junior, repeated as 3A state champion in 100 fly and 200 IM … voted captain and again earned Scholastic All-American honors … as a senior, won 3a state title for third consecutive year in 100 fly, finishing fourth in 200 IM … recipient of 3A Women’s Swimming Outstanding Sportsmanship Award … won NCHSAA Performance of the Week Award (Feb. 9, 2016) … captained CHHS team for second season and was voted 2016 Big 8 Conference Swimmer of the Year … team finished regular season 9-0 and went on to win Conference Championship, Regional Championship and finish second at State Championship meets … outside of the pool, volunteers with Special Olympics … also served as a senator in Chapel Hill High School student government, as a senior athlete representative for North Carolina Swimming and as Tiger Roar Advisor, assisting with school spirit club … member of Rho Kappa National History Honors Society and Latin Honors Society … elected Vice President of Chapel Hill High School National Honors Society … biggest athletic thrill to date was representing CHHS and winning individual events at state championship for three years … youngest child of Tracy and Rich DeSelm … has an older brother, Grant … father, Rich, is current head men’s and women’s swimming coach at his alma mater, the University of North Carolina, and served as a U.S. Swimming National Team coach in 2014 … grandfather Jack Martin played football and baseball at Kentucky … will enroll in First Year of Studies program at the University.
University of Notre Dame Athletics contributed this report.
McKenzie White
So very proud of you Claire???