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.
Krista Duffield (Tucson, Arizona)
High School: Catalina Foothills High School
Club Team: Tucson Ford Dealers Aquatic
Top Times: Freestyle: 50: 22.93; 100: 50.07
Butterfly: 100: 55.04
Accolades: Competed in the 2013 NCSA Junior National Championships … Won the 50 free in the 2014 Arizona State Championships and finished 2nd in the 100 butterfly … Named Arizona Daily Star High School Athlete of the Year in the Tucson area … Ranked as the top prospect from Arizona in the class of 2014 by CollegeSwimming.com
Caroline Estep (Wilmington, NC)
High School: Hoggard High School
Club Teams: Inc. Waves of Wilmington; Wilmington (NC) YMCA
Top Times: Freestyle: 50: 24.22; 100: 52.07; 200: 1:51.98
Backstroke: 100: 56.95; 200: 2:02.61
Accolades: Competed in the YMCA National Championships … Named StarNews 2014 All-Area Girls Swimmer of the Year … Ranked as the 18th best prospect in the state of North Carolina by CollegeSwimming.com.
Yurie Nakano (Hershey, PA)
Previous School: Indian River State College
Club Team: Hershey Aquatic Center
Top Times: Freestyle: 50: 23.44; 100: 50.02; 200: 1:47.75
Backstroke: 100: 54.35
Butterfly: 100: 53.27; 200: 1:59.54
Accolades: 2014 NJCAA Swimmer of the Meet … Helped bring the 2013 & 2014 NJCCA National Championship to Indian River State College … Won 2014 National Championships in the 100 butterfly, 100 backstroke, 100 freestyle, as well as a member of the 200 and 400 medley relay and the 400 and 800 freestyle relay teams … Owns the National Junior College record in the 100 backstroke with a time of 54.35 …. Also, part of the 200 (1:42.95) and 400 (3:41.92) medley relay teams that own the top time on the National Junior College level.
Lauren Rhodes (Charlotte, NC)
High School: Charlotte Catholic
Club Team: SwimMac Carolina
Top Times: Freestyle: 50: 23.14; 100: 49.74; 200: 1:47.93; 500: 4:54.33
Butterfly: 100: 55.47
Backstroke: 200: 2:00.92
Accolades: Competed in the USA Swimming Junior National Championships … Competed in the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in the 50 and 100 freestyle … Ranked as the third-best prospect in the state of North Carolina and the 34th overall by CollegeSwimming.com.
