University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Women's Swimming and Diving Announces 2025 Signing Class
06.04.2025 | Women's Swimming & Diving
ASHEVILLE, N.C. - UNC Asheville Women's Swimming and Diving has released its 2025 signing class today (Wednesday, June 4) announced by head coach Elizabeth Lykins.
Gracie Hunt | 6-4 | Sprint Freestyle/Backstroke | Greensboro, N.C. | Grimsley HS | UNC Greensboro | GCY Makos
Hunt was captain of her swim team at Grimsley High School, while also swimming for the GCY Makos club. Her twin sister Ellie is a member of the swim team at William & Mary. Hunt intends to study history at UNC Asheville.
From Coach Lykins - "We are excited to welcome Gracie to the Bulldog Family! Hunt will bring depth to our sprinting squad and relays. Her contribution in the short backstroke events will also assist in dual meets and invitational style meets."
Eleanor Pichetto | 5-5 | Diving | Athens, Ga. | Oconee County HS | Georgia Diving Club
Off the diving boards, Pichetto was an honor roll student all four years of high school. She was also active in the local community with the Athens Humane Society. She intends to study biology at Asheville.
From Coach Lykins - "Pichetto's club diving experience will enhance her collegiate performances. She will add depth to all events: 1M, 3M and Platform. We can't wait for Eleanor to join the Bulldog diving squad in just a few months!"
Gianna Riffel | 5-8 | Sprint Freestyle/Butterfly | Missouri City, Texas | Ridge Point HS | First Colony Swim Team
A three-time Fort Bend ISD Athletics Best Award nominee and Gulf Championships High Point Winner Riffel served as team captain from 2023-25 for both the swim and water polo team. She was named the 2024 and 2025 Ridge Point Swimmer of the Year, and received the Ridge Point High Point award for four straight seasons. She was a First Team All-District for four straight seasons, as well as the most valuable athlete from 2021-25. She was a member of the Academic Excellence Honor Roll for four years as well as a National English Honor Society Representative. She was named to the High School Academic All-State Team each of the last two years, was a National Honor Society Representative and an Academic All-State Honorable Mention selection. She was also an Academic First Team All-District selection for four years. She intends to study psychology.
From Coach Lykins - "We are excited to bring another sprinter to the Bulldog squad! Riffel will contribute mostly to sprint free races as well as short butterfly and some breaststroke events. Her versatility will also be useful in relays. Welcome to the Bulldog Family, Gianna!"
Madden Weir | 5-9 | Freestyle/Backstroke | Marietta, Ga. | Carlton Kell HS | Stingrays
Weir was a three-time Most Valuable Athlete for Kell High School Swim and Dive and also a county and state finalist in multiple events over multiple seasons. She received the Kell High School Swim and Dive High Point award, made the Cobb County High School Swimming All-County Team twice and was a state qualifier in multiple events over multiple seasons. Weir earned the President's Education Award for Academic Excellence and was on Honor Roll all four years, and she also graduated with honors. She was a two-time recipient of Kell High School's Outstanding Student award, the Georgia Certificate of Merit and also the Academic Lettering Award. She intends to study health sciences.
From Coach Lykins - "We are looking forward to having Madden on campus in August and joining the Bulldog Family! Weir comes from a strong club team with a great deal of experience. She will join the freestyle squad and will contribute in short backstroke events as well."
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 total assets of approximately $12.1 billion. As a state-chartered community bank, First Bank operates 113 bank branches in North Carolina and South Carolina and a nationwide SBA platform. Since 1935, First Bank has taken a tailored approach to banking, combining best-in-class financial solutions, helpful local expertise, and technology to manage a home or business. First Bancorp's common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "FBNC." Visit our website at www.LocalFirstBank.com. Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender.
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Gracie Hunt | 6-4 | Sprint Freestyle/Backstroke | Greensboro, N.C. | Grimsley HS | UNC Greensboro | GCY Makos
Hunt was captain of her swim team at Grimsley High School, while also swimming for the GCY Makos club. Her twin sister Ellie is a member of the swim team at William & Mary. Hunt intends to study history at UNC Asheville.
From Coach Lykins - "We are excited to welcome Gracie to the Bulldog Family! Hunt will bring depth to our sprinting squad and relays. Her contribution in the short backstroke events will also assist in dual meets and invitational style meets."
Eleanor Pichetto | 5-5 | Diving | Athens, Ga. | Oconee County HS | Georgia Diving Club
Off the diving boards, Pichetto was an honor roll student all four years of high school. She was also active in the local community with the Athens Humane Society. She intends to study biology at Asheville.
From Coach Lykins - "Pichetto's club diving experience will enhance her collegiate performances. She will add depth to all events: 1M, 3M and Platform. We can't wait for Eleanor to join the Bulldog diving squad in just a few months!"
Gianna Riffel | 5-8 | Sprint Freestyle/Butterfly | Missouri City, Texas | Ridge Point HS | First Colony Swim Team
A three-time Fort Bend ISD Athletics Best Award nominee and Gulf Championships High Point Winner Riffel served as team captain from 2023-25 for both the swim and water polo team. She was named the 2024 and 2025 Ridge Point Swimmer of the Year, and received the Ridge Point High Point award for four straight seasons. She was a First Team All-District for four straight seasons, as well as the most valuable athlete from 2021-25. She was a member of the Academic Excellence Honor Roll for four years as well as a National English Honor Society Representative. She was named to the High School Academic All-State Team each of the last two years, was a National Honor Society Representative and an Academic All-State Honorable Mention selection. She was also an Academic First Team All-District selection for four years. She intends to study psychology.
From Coach Lykins - "We are excited to bring another sprinter to the Bulldog squad! Riffel will contribute mostly to sprint free races as well as short butterfly and some breaststroke events. Her versatility will also be useful in relays. Welcome to the Bulldog Family, Gianna!"
Madden Weir | 5-9 | Freestyle/Backstroke | Marietta, Ga. | Carlton Kell HS | Stingrays
Weir was a three-time Most Valuable Athlete for Kell High School Swim and Dive and also a county and state finalist in multiple events over multiple seasons. She received the Kell High School Swim and Dive High Point award, made the Cobb County High School Swimming All-County Team twice and was a state qualifier in multiple events over multiple seasons. Weir earned the President's Education Award for Academic Excellence and was on Honor Roll all four years, and she also graduated with honors. She was a two-time recipient of Kell High School's Outstanding Student award, the Georgia Certificate of Merit and also the Academic Lettering Award. She intends to study health sciences.
From Coach Lykins - "We are looking forward to having Madden on campus in August and joining the Bulldog Family! Weir comes from a strong club team with a great deal of experience. She will join the freestyle squad and will contribute in short backstroke events as well."
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 total assets of approximately $12.1 billion. As a state-chartered community bank, First Bank operates 113 bank branches in North Carolina and South Carolina and a nationwide SBA platform. Since 1935, First Bank has taken a tailored approach to banking, combining best-in-class financial solutions, helpful local expertise, and technology to manage a home or business. First Bancorp's common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "FBNC." Visit our website at www.LocalFirstBank.com. Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender.
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