NEW COMMIT: The Tar Heels have officially entered the Class of 2025 recruiting game, recently snagging an in-state verbal commitment from five-time Summer Juniors qualifier Elizabeth Sowards of Davidson, N.C. for the fall of 2021.
Primarily a sprinter, Sowards does her club swimming with SwimMAC Carolina. She most recently raced four events at Junior Nationals this past summer finaling in a pair of events at Greensboro Sectionals. Last winter, she recorded a best time at Nationals before going on to finish 14th in the 50 free at Juniors East. She also earned silver in the 100 free and took fourth in the 50 free at Indianapolis Sectionals in March.
A current junior at William Amos Hough High School, Sowards was the runner-up in both the 50 free and 100 free as a sophomore at the North Carolina 4A State Championships. While living in Illinois, she finished sixth in the 50 free at the IHSA State Championships during her freshman year. She has also earned NISCA and USA Swimming Scholastic All-American honors for her efforts.
Photo Courtesy: Elizabeth Sowards Instagram (@elizabethsowards)
Her best times include:
- 50 free – 22.80
- 100 free – 50.30
- 200 free – 1:49.56
- 100 back – 55.57
- 100 fly – 55.37
When she arrives in Chapel Hill at the start of the 2021-22 season, Sowards will be a valuable asset both individually and on relays and will join a training group led by Emma Cole and Claire Walsh. Even with just under two years of club swimming still to go before getting to UNC, she would’ve scored in the C-final of the 50 free at the 2019 ACC Championships and is just shy of scoring range in the 100/200 free.
If you have a commitment to share, please send a photo and quote via email to hs@swimmingworld.com.
2025???? Seriously. Not even in high school yet. SMH
David Bergquist I think she will graduate from college then.