RALEIGH, N.C. – NC State swimming & diving coach Braden Holloway announced the four-member signing class of three freshmen and one transfer for the women’s swimming program. The class is set to begin competing for the Wolfpack when the 2014-15 campaign gets underway in the fall.
“Our women’s class is small but mighty,” Holloway said. “We elected to go after very specific individuals this recruiting cycle, especially coming off a big recruiting class a year ago. With two years of small graduating classes, we feel these ladies can come in and make an immediate impact for us at the ACC and NCAA level.”
The signing class is one that boasts four swimmers, including several student-athletes to be crowned state champions and high school All-Americans. The group has also set records at the YMCA level and has qualified for Junior and Senior National events.
Lauren Rhodes and Caroline Estep are both from the state of North Carolina and come to State following successful high school careers. Rhodes, who hails from Charlotte, N.C., is listed as the third-best incoming freshman in the state of North Carolina and 34th overall. Meanwhile, Estep will come to Raleigh from Wilmington, N.C., following a successful career for Hoggard High School and was named All-Area Girls Swimmer of the Year by StarNews.
A product of Tucson, Ariz., Krista Duffield comes to NC State as the top-rated incoming freshman from the state of Arizona. This past year, Duffield captured the Arizona State Championship in the 50 freestyle and also took second overall in the 100 butterfly.
Yurie Nakano joins the Wolfpack after two successful years at Indian River State College. As a member of the Pioneers, Nakano won multiple National Junior College Championships and holds the all-time record on the National Junior College level in the 100 backstroke with a time of 54.35.
“Our staff worked hard in identifying the right student athletes that meld with our philosophy and style,” Holloway said.