.png&width=16&type=webp)
University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville Swim and Dive Signs Zoe Wooten Through Team IMPACT
10.03.2026 | General, Women's Swimming & Diving, Athletics News
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Last night, the University of North Carolina Asheville Swim & Dive team announced a new team member, signing 13-year-old Zoe Wooten through Team IMPACT.
Zoe, who is battling bilateral schizencephaly, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and a heart defect, officially signed with the team on Friday, October 2 in a ceremony inside Kimmel Arena. She has participate in several activities with the UNC Asheville Swim & Dive team over the past year, including matches, practices and other team events.
Team IMPACT, a national non-profit organization, has developed a unique multiyear program that matches children facing serious illness and disability with college athletic teams across the country. Based on a clinical model, Team IMPACT guides a symbiotic relationship between teams and children focused on socialization, empowerment, and resilience.
"Having Zoe join the UNC Asheville family is a special opportunity for our entire campus community," said head coach Elizabeth Lykins. "The leadership team, a select sub-group of swimmers and divers, take great pride in Zoe's attendance at Media Day, swim meets and attending practice when she's available. We've learned a lot about Zoe and her family during the last 19 months and are in awe of her joyous personality, her love of music and her passion toward snails and puppies. We could not be more excited to welcome Zoe to the UNC Asheville Swimming & Diving team!"
About Team IMPACT
Team IMPACT's unique multiyear program signs children facing serious illness and disability onto college athletic teams across the country. Based on a clinical model, Team IMPACT guides a symbiotic relationship between teams and children focused on socialization, empowerment, and resilience, ensuring everyone involved has the personalized game plan they need to win – effectively building confidence and independence. Founded in 2011, Team IMPACT has matched more than 2,300 children with 700+ colleges and universities in 49 states, impacting more than 60,000 student-athletes. If you know a child or team who may be interested, please visit www.teamimpact.org.
Zoe, who is battling bilateral schizencephaly, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and a heart defect, officially signed with the team on Friday, October 2 in a ceremony inside Kimmel Arena. She has participate in several activities with the UNC Asheville Swim & Dive team over the past year, including matches, practices and other team events.
Team IMPACT, a national non-profit organization, has developed a unique multiyear program that matches children facing serious illness and disability with college athletic teams across the country. Based on a clinical model, Team IMPACT guides a symbiotic relationship between teams and children focused on socialization, empowerment, and resilience.
"Having Zoe join the UNC Asheville family is a special opportunity for our entire campus community," said head coach Elizabeth Lykins. "The leadership team, a select sub-group of swimmers and divers, take great pride in Zoe's attendance at Media Day, swim meets and attending practice when she's available. We've learned a lot about Zoe and her family during the last 19 months and are in awe of her joyous personality, her love of music and her passion toward snails and puppies. We could not be more excited to welcome Zoe to the UNC Asheville Swimming & Diving team!"
About Team IMPACT
Team IMPACT's unique multiyear program signs children facing serious illness and disability onto college athletic teams across the country. Based on a clinical model, Team IMPACT guides a symbiotic relationship between teams and children focused on socialization, empowerment, and resilience, ensuring everyone involved has the personalized game plan they need to win – effectively building confidence and independence. Founded in 2011, Team IMPACT has matched more than 2,300 children with 700+ colleges and universities in 49 states, impacting more than 60,000 student-athletes. If you know a child or team who may be interested, please visit www.teamimpact.org.
Players Mentioned
Team IMPACT
/ Women's Swimming & DivingMonday, January 29
Monday, December 18
Monday, October 30