Women's Swimming and Diving Welcomes 2026 Signing Class

ASHEVILLE, N.C. - UNC Asheville Women's Swimming and Diving is set to welcome its 2026-27 signing class, announced today (Tuesday, Aug. 4) by head coach Elizabeth Lykins.

Marlee Carmichael | Freestyle | Hoschton, GA | Mill Creek HS | Spartans Aquatic Club

Carmichael served as team Captain for Mill Creek HS swim team in 2025-26 and was named a Gwinnett County All-Star each year of high school. She was also voted Most Inspirational Swimmer both her junior and senior years. Carmichael was named to the All-State team 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 will be majoring in Health Science.

Miley Cook | Diving | Matthews, NC | Weddington HS | Carolina Dive Academy

Cook earned Diver of the Year twice and was also named MVP three times between Weddington High School and the Carolina Dive Academy. She earned All-Conference honors four times, and also qualified for Junior Nationals twice. Cook was a Level 4 gymnastics all-around state champion, and she will come to UNC Asheville majoring in Political Science.

Nehir Donmez | Butterfly | Izmir, Turkiye | Layton Christian Academy | Göztepe Spor Kulübü

Domnez holds four club records, and is also 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 at the 2025 Turkish Nationals. She earned academic Honors in 2024 and 2025 and will be majoring in Health Science.

Fiona Haefner | Backstroke | Summerville, SC | Berkeley Middle College HS | South Carolina Swim Club

Haefner served as team Captain for Cane Bay HS swim team, while also placing first, second and fourth in relay events at 2025 South Carolina State Championships for the highest finish in school history. She graduated Cum Laude and earned her Associate's Degree, at UNC Asheville she intends to study 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 while earning All-State honors in 2024 and 2025. She holds the six-dive school record and also served as a team captain as a junior and a senior. Hanson plans to major 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 also was the 2024 College Sport Wellington Swimmer of the Year. She holds 10 club records and has won seven national titles in breaststroke and individual medley events. Hurley was a 2025 sports committee member at WGC and will come to UNC Asheville majoring in business.

Parker Johnson | Freestyle, Butterfly | Lithia, FL | Academy of The Holy Names | Tampa Bay Aquatic Club

Johnson served as team captain for Academy of The Holy Names High School swim team, and anchored the Florida 2A State Champion 200 Medley Relay team in 2025. She was a three-time State Championship qualifier and a two-time finalist. She was also the recipient of Marine Corps NROTC Scholarship, as well as 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 team captain for West Hall High School swim team as a junior and a senior and was also a three-time Georgia High School state qualifier. Out of the water, she was a member of the National Honor Society, and will come to UNC Asheville majoring in Biology.

Beatrice Pecorello | Breaststroke, IM | Poggibonsi, Italy | Liceo Scientifico Alessandro Volta | Nuoto Virtus Buonconvento

Pecorello qualified for National Championships in 100 and 200 breaststroke events and has also been an annual participant in Swimming Lifesaving and Surf Lifesaving National Championships. She holds nine club records and also 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 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.

University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics

Women's Swimming and Diving Welcomes 2026 Signing Class

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