Women’s Swimming and Diving Welcomes 2026 Signing Class

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – UNC Asheville Women’s Swimming and Diving is about to welcome its 2026-27 signing class, introduced immediately (Tuesday, Aug. 4) by head coach Elizabeth Lykins.  
 
Marlee Carmichael | Freestyle | Hoschton, GA | Mill Creek HS | Spartans Aquatic Club
 
Carmichael served as workforce Captain for Mill Creek HS swim workforce in 2025-26 and was named a Gwinnett County All-Star annually of highschool. She was additionally voted Most Inspirational Swimmer each her junior and senior years. Carmichael was named to the All-State workforce in 2023 and 2024 and is a three-time recipient of the Silver Hawk award. Away from the water she is a member of the National Honor Society and shall be majoring in Health Science.
 
Miley Cook | Diving | Matthews, NC | Weddington HS | Carolina Dive Academy
 
Cook earned Diver of the Year twice and was additionally named MVP thrice between Weddington High School and the Carolina Dive Academy. She earned All-Conference honors 4 instances, and likewise certified for Junior Nationals twice. Cook was a Level 4 gymnastics all-around state champion, and she’s going to come to UNC Asheville majoring in Political Science.
 
Nehir Donmez | Butterfly | Izmir, Turkiye | Layton Christian Academy | Göztepe Spor Kulübü
 
Domnez holds 4 membership information, and can also be a Utah 3A state champion in 100 butterfly in 2023 and 2024, and 500 freestyle in 2023. She took second place in 200 butterfly at 2023 Utah Senior State Championships and third place in 200 butterfly on the 2025 Turkish Nationals. She earned tutorial Honors in 2024 and 2025 and shall be majoring in Health Science.
 
Fiona Haefner | Backstroke | Summerville, SC | Berkeley Middle College HS | South Carolina Swim Club
 
Haefner served as workforce Captain for Cane Bay HS swim workforce, whereas additionally putting first, second and fourth in relay occasions at 2025 South Carolina State Championships for the very best end at school historical past. She graduated Cum Laude and earned her Associate’s Degree, at UNC Asheville she intends to review Biology.
 
Horizon Hanson | Diving | Buffalo, WY | Buffalo HS | Buffalo Swim Club
 
Hanson was a two-time Conference Champion and 2024 Wyoming State Champion on 1-Meter whereas incomes All-State honors in 2024 and 2025. She holds the six-dive college document and likewise served as a workforce captain as a junior and a senior. Hanson plans to main in Health Science.
 
Kate Hurley | IM, Breaststroke | Wellington, New Zealand | Wellington Girls’ College | Pirates Swim Team
 
Hurley was awarded Wellington Girls’ College (WGC) Sportswoman of the Year, and likewise was the 2024 College Sport Wellington Swimmer of the Year. She holds 10 membership information and has gained seven nationwide titles in breaststroke and particular person medley occasions. Hurley was a 2025 sports activities committee member at WGC and can come to UNC Asheville majoring in enterprise.
 
Parker Johnson | Freestyle, Butterfly | Lithia, FL | Academy of The Holy Names | Tampa Bay Aquatic Club
 
Johnson served as workforce captain for Academy of The Holy Names High School swim workforce, and anchored the Florida 2A State Champion 200 Medley Relay workforce in 2025. She was a three-time State Championship qualifier and a two-time finalist. She was additionally the recipient of Marine Corps NROTC Scholarship, in addition to a member of the Math Honor Society. She will come to UNC Asheville majoring in Biology.
 
Ansley Martin | Freestyle | Oakwood, GA | West Hall HS | Lanier Aquatics
 
Martin served as workforce captain for West Hall High School swim workforce as a junior and a senior and was additionally a three-time Georgia High School state qualifier. Out of the water, she was a member of the National Honor Society, and can come to UNC Asheville majoring in Biology.
 
Beatrice Pecorello | Breaststroke, IM | Poggibonsi, Italy | Liceo Scientifico Alessandro Volta | Nuoto Virtus Buonconvento
 
Pecorello certified for National Championships in 100 and 200 breaststroke occasions and has additionally been an annual participant in Swimming Lifesaving and Surf Lifesaving National Championships. She holds 9 membership information and likewise works as a pool lifeguard in her free time. She will come to UNC Asheville majoring in Health Science.
 
From Coach Lykins – “The staff and I are very excited about the signing of these nine women to join the UNC Asheville class of 2030. With the graduation of six talented ladies, we knew we needed a large, versatile class to fill the newly empty spots. Each new woman will bring a variety of skills and accomplishments to our already strong squad. The addition of two divers will strengthen our depth on the boards with their elevated experience and skill levels. Of the incoming seven swimmers, five will contribute in the sprint freestyle events; this will also translate to stronger relays and dual meet performances. Additional backstrokers, IMers and an excellent breaststroker increases our competitiveness at the conference level. We are excited to welcome all nine ladies to the UNC Asheville Bulldog family.”

About Women’s Athletics Presenting Partner First Bank

 

First Bank is the banking subsidiary of First Bancorp and is headquartered in Southern Pines, North Carolina, with whole belongings of roughly $12.1 billion. As a state-chartered neighborhood financial institution, First Bank operates 113 financial institution branches in North Carolina and South Carolina and a nationwide SBA platform. Since 1935, First Bank has taken a tailor-made strategy to banking, combining best-in-class monetary options, useful native experience, and expertise to handle a house or enterprise. First Bancorp’s widespread inventory is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market underneath the image “FBNC.” Visit our web site at www.LocalFirstBank.com. Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender.