Florida State has opened another avenue for recruiting this offseason, getting a verbal commitment from junior college national champion Tayla Lovemore.
Lovemore is a South African swimmer who is currently competing in her sophomore season with junior college powerhouse Indian River State College. After this year, Lovemore will stay within the state of Florida, but will head all the way up the peninsula to Tallahassee, where she’ll join the FSU Seminoles.
Last season, Lovemore was the NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association) champ in five different events. Individually, she won the 100 fly, 200 fly and 50 free, and was part of the winning 400 medley and 400 free relays for Indian River.
Lovemore’s Top Times (in yards)
- 50 free: 23.09
- 100 free: 50.75
- 100 fly: 54.18
- 200 fly: 2:01.57
- 100 back: 55.37
- 200 back: 2:02.32
Florida State’s coaching staff has an Indian River connection, as head coach Frank Bradley spent 5 years as head coach of Indian River in the late 2000s. Debuting this season for Florida State is Stefan Stojmenovic, who won junior college national titles at Indian River alongside Lovemore last season.
Lovemore would have scored points at last year’s ACC Championships in the 100 fly and 200 fly, and would have been .01 out of scoring range in the 50 free. She has her entire sophomore year to improve those times before starting her final two years of eligibility with Florida State next fall.
Wow Tayla, I’m so proud of you, well done! Miss your sparkling personality. 🙂