Riki Bonnema
Originally from Orlando, Florida Riki Bonnema is a multi-time NCAA All-American and an ACC Record Holder. Bonnema is a sprint freestyle specialist, competing for the NC State Wolfpack. The environmental sciences major made her biggest impact in the 2014-2015 season, but is finishing up her senior year in 2016.
NC State
2012-2013
A year after graduating from Olympia High School, Bonnema began her freshman year at NC State. From the beginning of her collegiate career Bonnema began breaking records — she broke three school records as a member of the 200-yard medley, 200-yard free and the 400-yard free relays. She also posted a 22.43 in the 50-yard free, which led the team as NC State’s fastest time of the season.
2013-2014
At the ACC Championships as a sophomore Bonnema led the team with two All ACC honors in the 50 free and the 200 free relay — she finished 2nd in the 50-yard free, setting a new school record. She qualified for the NCAA Championships for the first time in her career, and travelled to Indianapolis with the Wolfpack. Bonnema began day one by anchoring the 200-yard free relay. The squad advanced to the consolation final, where she aided NC State to a 10th place finish, coming in 2nd in the consolation. Swimming close to a best time, Bonnema finished 23rd in the 50-yard free, just a few places away from advancing to the consolation final. On the second day Bonnema and the 200-yard medley relay earned a spot in the championship final, where they would go on to finish 8th with Bonnema in the anchor spot. She also anchored the 400-yard free relay, which finished 11th.
2014-2015
In her junior season Bonnema led the women’s team to a 17th-place finish at the NCAA Championships, and earned four All-America honors. She broke the ACC Record in the 50-yard free, going 21.87, becoming the first NC State champion under Coach Braden Holloway. At the NCAA Championships Bonnema swam a sub-22 second swim to advance to her first individual championship final — she went on to finish 7th overall, earning her first All-America honor as an individual. NC State also finished in the top eight of the 200-yard free relay with Bonnema as anchor.
On the second day she anchored the 200-yard medley relay, putting NC State 12th overall. Lastly, NC State’s 400-yard free relay advanced to the championship final, where all four relay legs split 48.7 or better to help the squad finish 5th overall.
