Florida Gulf Coast Universities All-American backstroker, Kira Toussaint, will be transferring to the University to Tennessee. Toussaint is the Dutch record holder in the women’s 100 scm backstroke and is also the daughter of 1984 Olympic Gold Medalist, Jolanda de Rover.
As a freshman, Toussaint finished 7th at the NCAA Championships in 100 backstroke (51.81) and 12th in the 200-yard backstroke. (1:53.79). This year, she finished eighth in the 200 backstroke, earning NCAA All-American honors for a second year in a row. She was also a part of their 200 medley relay that earned All-American honors after earning a place in the championship final.
Toussaint is expected to join Tennessee this fall and should be eligible to compete immediately for the Volunteers.
This incoming transfer is very timely for Tennessee, as they recently had a NCAA qualifying backstroker transfer to Miami. Miami recently announced that Tennessee’s NCAA Qualifier, Christina Leander, is transferring with two years of eligibility remaining. Leander finished 30th in the 100 backstroke at the 2014 NCAA Championships with a 53.06, but failed to qualify for the meet as a sophomore.
Tennessee’s women’s program finished fourth at the Southeastern Conference Championships last season. A few weeks later they competed in Greensboro, NC at the women’s NCAA Championships where they finished 11th as a team.
Can someone please explain the transfer rules in swimming. Why do some people have to sit out a year before competing for their new school, while others, such as this young lady, just transfer and are eligible to compete for their new school right away? i am very confused.
The simplest explanation is that, with the exception of baseball, basketball, football and men’s ice hockey, a student can utilize something called the One Time Transfer Exception. There are other reasons (discontinued sport, non-recruited student, etc) but the main reason is if they meet the requirements for the One Time Transfer Exception AND (another wicket) their previous institution releases them to do so they can compete immediately.
Thanks, I did not know this.