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Florida State University has added two more names to its 2026 women’s recruiting class, with Caroline MacDonald and Emma Thomas announcing their commitments to swim for the Seminoles starting this fall.
After originally committing to Pepperdine, MacDonald flipped her commitment to FSU. A distance free and IM specialist from Florida, she recently graduated from Providence School and currently trains with SwimRise Aquatics in Jacksonville. She turned in a series of top performances at the 2025 FHSAA (Florida High School Athletic Association) Class 1A State Championship, where she placed 4th in the 500 free (5:01.93) and 12th in the 200 free (1:55.61) after setting personal best times of 4:59.38 and 1:55.52 during prelims. She also logged a personal best time of 25.33 in the 50 free as the leadoff on the 200 free relay.
MacDonald posted another top swim at the Winter Junior Championships East a few weeks later, clocking a lifetime best time of 16:54.68 in the 1650 free. She continued to log personal best performances at the 2026 Florida Swimming Senior Champs in March. The competition saw her take 2nd in the 1650 free (16:55.15) and 400 IM (4:29.52), 3rd in the 50 fly (26.00), 4th in the 500 free (4:58.87), 6th in the 1000 free (10:09.12) and 16th in the 200 free (1:53.71), setting a lifetime best in all but the 1650.
Best Times SCY
- 200 free – 1:53.71
- 500 free – 4:58.87
- 1000 free – 10:09.12
- 1650 free – 16:54.68
- 400 IM – 4:29.52
Thomas, a North Carolina state finalist, graduated from Leesville Road High School in Raleigh and swims year-round with TAC Titans, where she primarily specializes in breast and IM. At the 2026 NCSHAA 8A State Championship in February, placed 10th in the 100 breast (1:06.27) and 21st in the 200 IM (2:12.76). Last summer, Thomas competed at the 2025 Futures Championship (LCM) in Greensboro, contesting the 50 breast (35.45), 100 breast (1:15.58) and 200 breast (2:46.27).
Most of Thomas’ top times still stand from the 2023-2024 season, including in the 100 breast (1:02.53), 200 breast (2:14.82) and 200 IM (2:04.78). She also set personal best times in the 50 free (25.19), 100 free (56.02) and 200 free (1:58.19) at the 2024 TAC Titans Polar Plunge.
Best Times SCY
- 100 breast – 1:02.53
- 200 breast – 2:14.82
- 200 IM – 2:04.78
A Division I program, Florida State competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference, with the women’s team placing 10th out of 15 teams at the 2026 conference championships. The Seminoles sent three athletes to compete at the NCAA Division I Women’s Championship, where they finished 31st overall. With seven senior swimmers on the team’s roster this past season, Thomas and MacDonald will help fill some of the gaps left behind and bring added depth to Florida State this coming season.
The pair will be joined in the pool in the fall by Sofia Jimenez and Samantha Villacis, both of whom should make for strong training partners over the next four years.
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