CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The University of North Carolina Swimming and Diving Champions Circle recently inducted three new members during the program’s annual spring banquet. Three members of the UNC Class of 2014 – Stephanie Peacock, Cari Blalock and Layne Brodie – were honored in the ceremony. They became the 74th, 75th and 76th members so enshrined.
The Champions Circle was established in 2011 in order to honor the program’s rich history and to recognize its most accomplished student-athletes and their achievements. Male and female swimmers and divers who have graduated from Carolina, completed their collegiate athletic eligibility, and who have attained one or more of the criteria are invited for induction.
Seventy-one Tar Heels were initially inducted into the Champions circle in 2011 when it was initiated. Tom Luchsinger and Laura Moriarty earned their inductions in 2013 and Peacock, Blalock and Brodie were added this year. Champions circle status can be at the gold, silver and bronze levels depending on the swimmer’s or diver’s accomplishment while a Tar Heel.
Here are the 2016 Honorees:
Stephanie Peacock, Class of 2014 (Gold Level)
- Won gold medal at 2013 World University Games and bronze medals at 2011 and 2015 World University Games
- 2012 NCAA champion
- 2012 ACC Swimmer of the Year
- 2011 ACC Freshman of the Year
- Winner of four individual ACC championships
Peacock broke the NCAA record in the 1000-yard and 1650-yard freestyles in 2012 and rebroke the 1,000-yard mark in 2014. The Florida native was meet MVP of the 2012 ACC Championships. She was a two-time All-America and three-time All-ACC selection. Peacock captured the 400-meter and 800-meter freestyle championships at the 2012 U.S. Open while breaking the meet record in the 800. In 2013, she set the World University Games record in the 1,500-meter freestyle on her way to capturing the gold medal. Stephanie was voted as the UNC women’s team’s Most Valuable Swimmer as well as Most Outstanding Swimmer in 2012. To this day, she holds the school record in the 500-yard, 1000-yard and 1650-yard freestyles, and until recently, also held the ACC record in the 1000 and 1650. She captained the Tar Heel team as a senior in 2013-14.
Cari Blalock, Class of 2014 (Silver Level)
- 2013 ACC Swimmer of the Year
Blalock is a two-time individual NCAA first-team All-America and five-time NCAA honorable mention All-America (three individual and two relays). She is a three-time ACC champion and a three-time All-ACC selection. Cari was voted the UNC women’s team’s Most Outstanding Swimmer in 2013 and won the Hill Carrow Spirit Award in 2014.
Layne Brodie, Class of 2014 (Bronze Level)
- 2009 ACC Freshman of the Year
Brodie is a one-time individual and four-time relay NCAA Honorable Mention All-America as well as four-time individual and two-time relay ACC champion. She is a three-time All-ACC and a two-time All-ACC Academic Team honorees. Layne was named the UNC women’s team’s Most Valuable Swimmer in 2009 and 2011.
Swimming news courtesy of UNC Swimming & Diving.