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TAC Titans’ Nola Meekins has verbally committed to in-state Duke as a part of the Blue Devil’s 2027 recruiting class.
I am extremely excited to announce my verbal commitment to swim and study at Duke University! I’d like to thank my family, friends, and teammates for all their support throughout the years. Thank you to Coach Bruce and the TAC Titans coaching staff for helping me achieve my goals. I am so grateful to Coach Brian and the entire Duke coaching staff for giving me this incredible opportunity to represent Duke! Go Blue Devils!!
The freestyle/backstroke/IM specialist had one of the best showings of her career at the USA Swimming Futures Championships in Greensboro (LCM) this summer. There, she finished 6th in the 200 IM, touching in a best time of 2:19.03. Meekins set best times in every other event she swam as well, including the 100 backstroke (1:05.22), 200 back (2:16.64), 200 butterfly (2:24.38), 400 freestyle (4:24.42), and 400 IM (4:52.64).
One of her best short course outings came this past August at the TAC Titans Summer Sizzler. Meekins set lifetime bests in the 100 back (55.54), 200 free (1:50.70), 200 back (1:58.28), 200 IM (2:01.55), and 400 IM (4:15.16).
As a sophomore at Green Hope High School in Cary, NC., Meekins finished 8th in the 500 free in a best time of 4:59.37, and 10th in the 200 IM, clocking 2:03.73 at the North Carolina 4A State Championship in February.
Top SCY Times:
- 200 Free: 1:50.70
- 500 Free: 4:59.37
- 100 Back: 55.54
- 200 Back: 1:58.28
- 200 IM: 2:01.55
- 400 IM: 4:15.16
The Duke women led by head coach Brian Barnes finished 11th at the 2025 ACC swimming and Diving Championships.
Based on Meekins’ best times, she would have qualified for the ‘C’ final in the 200 IM, and finished 42nd in the 200 IM, and 32nd in the 200 back at those championships.
With two years still to grow, Meekins is already in scoring contention in the ACC. 2025 has already treated Meekins very well with all of her most notable bests coming within the calendar year.
Her progression is a big green flag, having taken off over six seconds in her 400 IM between March and August. Assuming that progression stays linear, Meekins has plenty of potential to help Duke rise in the ACC, having finished just 11 points behind Miami for 10th last season.
Meekins will join Lila Sherman as the only publicized recruits in the Blue Devils’ recruiting class of 2027.
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Congrats NOLA!!! Much deserved!