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Eight women have committed to Pepperdine University for the fall of 2023, including a potentially program-topping breaststroker and several sprint freestylers. Pepperdine, which won its first PCSC Championship title in program history in 2022, and then won again in 2023, is certainly looking to bring in swimmers that have the potential to score at conference championships early on in their college careers.
Syd Abild
Bluefish Swim Club’s Syd Abild is trading one coast for another as she takes her breaststroking skills to California.
“I am extremely excited to announce my verbal commitment to further both my athletic and academic careers at the D1 level for Pepperdine University! I want to thank my friends, family, and teammates for all the love and support. Lastly, a huge thanks to the Pepperdine’s coaching staff and team for making me feel so welcome. Go waves 🧡🤍”
Abild has a 2023 USA Swimming Futures cut in the 200 breast, with a time of 2:17.22. With her best time, Abild would’ve won the 200 breast at the PCSC Championships, making her a valuable asset to the team.
Layla Busquets
Layla Busquets is a senior at Monte Vista High School in California.
“I chose Pepperdine because of the wonderful coaches and team culture, as well as the location!”
Busquets is a sprint freestyler, with a 50 free personal best of 24.74. Busquets, Noboa, and Telfer all have best times within a second of each other, making for a highly competitive incoming sprint program.
Kiana Fan
Kiana Fan is a senior at Portola High School in California.
“I am so excited to announce my verbal commitment to swim Division 1 at Pepperdine University! I am so blessed that God has opened these doors and allowed me to have this opportunity. I want to thank my family, friends, and coaches who have led me to this point. GO WAVES! “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future” – Jeremiah 29:11″
Emily Garrison
Emily Garrison, a senior at Century High School in Minnesota, brings her skills in several strokes, but especially the 100 fly and 200 IM. Garrison has Futures cuts in both events.
At the 2022 Minnesota High School Girls’ AA State Swimming and Diving Championships, Garrison finished 8th in the 100 fly and 14th in the 200 IM. Garrison has the potential to be one of the top butterfliers on the team, and her best time would have made her the fastest 100 butterflier in the program this season. She also would’ve placed 2nd at PCSC Championships in the event.
Ansley Halbach
Ansley Halbach, a senior at North Oconee High School and a swimmer at Athens Bulldog Swim Club, is a distance swimmer. At the Georgia High School Girls’ State Championship for Class 5A, she finished 3rd in the 200 and 500 free.
“I am so excited to announce my verbal commitment to further my academic and athletic career at Pepperdine University. It has always been a dream of mine to swim division 1 and I’d like to thank my family, coaches, and teammates for helping me achieve this. Lastly, a huge thank you to Coach Ellie and Coach Kristyn for this amazing opportunity! I can’t wait for the next 4 and to call Malibu, California my home!! GO WAVES!!”
Halbach has been recently improving, swimming her best 500 free (5:04.40) and 1000 free (10:35.64) times in the past couple of months, just after swimming personal bests just a couple months before that.
Karis Noboa
Karis Noboa is a sprint freestyler and senior at Bullis School in Maryland.
“I am super excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and swimming career at Pepperdine University! Thank you to my parents, coaches, and friends for all your support along the way. I also want to thank the Pepperdine coaches! GO WAVES!”
With a 50 free best time of 24.29, Noboa will be able to compete closely with fellow commit Caryn Telfer, and in the 2022-23 season, Noboa would’ve been Pepperdine’s 4th-fastest 50 freestyler.
Caryn Telfer
Caryn Telfer is a sprint freestyler and butterflier from the Coronado Swim Association.
“I’m super excited to announce my commitment to continue my academic and swimming career at Pepperdine University! I want to thank my mom, dad, brothers, coaches, teammates, family, and friends for all of their love and support on my journey. I also want to thank the Pepperdine coaches for this amazing opportunity. Go Waves!!🌊🧡”
Telfer’s best times are in the 50 free (24.06) and the 100 fly (57.20), both of which are 2023 USA Swimming Futures cuts. For the 2022-23 season, Telfer would’ve been Pepperdine’s 2nd-fastest 50 freestyler.
Maddie Wheeler
Irvine Novaquatic’s Maddie Wheeler is also joining the team, where she can add depth to the mid-distance free and IM events.
“I am extremely excited to announce my verbal commitment to further my academic and swimming career and swim D1 at Pepperdine University. I want to give a big thank you to everyone who helped me along the way including my family, coaches, and teammates. Go Waves! 🌊🧡”
Wheeler’s best times are in the 500 free (5:06.75), 1000 free (10:23.57), 200 IM (2:09.56), and 400 IM (4:34.59).
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Yikes. You left out Kiana Fan.