The North Carolina State Wolfpack women will feel the graduation of star Rikki Bonema after last season, but on Tuesday added sophomore transfer Elise Haan from Florida Gulf Coast to a strong incoming freshman class that will help cushion that blow.
Haan, a local swimmer from nearby Naples, Florida, was one of three Florida Gulf Coast freshmen to qualify for last year’s NCAA Championships, and her 16th-place finish in the 100 backstroke at that meet represented the team’s only scoring.
Haan is one of two star swimmers who have announced transfers from FGCU so far this summer. Breaststroker Katie Armitage, an All-American as a freshman herself, announced that she would transfer to Tennessee before next season. Unlike Haan, her decision came before the announcement that FGCU head coach Neal Studd would become the new head coach at Florida State.
Haan’s lifetime bests in yards:
- 50 free – 23.41
- 100 free – 49.19
- 200 free – 1:46.20
- 100 back – 51.65
- 200 back – 1:54.76
Last season, Haan was named the CCSA Swimmer of the Year, Co-Most Outstanding Female Swimmer and Freshman Performer of the CCSA Championships, and won 7 conference titles – 100 free, 100 back, 200 back, and four relays.
North Carolina State is stacked in the backstrokes next season, but Haan will still have a big impact immediately. Her best time in the 100 back ranks her 3rd among non-graduating ACC swimmers next season, her 200 back ranks her 8th, and her 200 free ranks 12th. That lines her up for 65 individual points at the ACC Championships next season, which accounts for about 40% of the gap between the runner-up Wolfpack and the defending conference champions Virginia.
Because NC State has All-Americans Alexia Zevnik (51.13/1:51.06) and Courtney Caldwell (52.26) returning, Haan will have to battle for medley relay leadoff spots next season. She’ll also have an opportunity (and perhaps even a better one) at joining the Wolfpacks’ 400 and 800 free relays.
Smart place to transfer. She will get faster and faster there! Good Luck Elise!
NC State is a program on fire! Congratulations.
Oh the coaching carousel. FCGU had success finding Neal and gave him a bump in pay and another scholarship. It tells me FCGU values the student athlete and will find another coach to take over the program. Why not Yetter? He’s 20 minutes away in Naples. He’s had success with women swimmers. Could be a win/win and keep more swimmers from leaving and attract more swimmers who may enjoy swimming outdoors year round.
That would be a great pick !!!!
What’s going on at FGCU ?
Didn’t their coach leave for FSU?
Nice place to transfer to. Good luck Elise!