North Florida Swimming Inks First Three Signees To 2026 Class

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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – North Florida swimming officially welcomes its first three freshmen signees into the 2026 signing class, as announced by Head Coach Ian Coffey on Friday afternoon.

“We signed three really good swimmers for the 2026 incoming freshmen class,” said Coffey. “Each one will make an immediate impact on our program and the ASUN Conference. They each bring in their own skill sets.”

The Ospreys bring in Payton Griffin, Shelby Kolton and Caroline Hughes as freshman swimmers into the program for the 2026-27 season. Griffin specializes in freestyle and butterfly events, Kolton specializes in freestyle and backstroke and Hughes specializes in breaststroke and individual medley.

“Payton [Griffin] will be a great addition to an already strong distance group,” Coffey continued. “Adding to our breaststroke group, Caroline [Hughes] will be making her impact right away. Lastly, Shelby [Kolton] brings both freestyle and backstroke skills to the program. I’m really excited for all three to come on and keep improving our program.”

Payton Griffin

TOP TIMES
Freestyle
50 Free: 25.12
100 Free: 53.92
200 Free: 1:54.23
500 Free: 5:02.32
1000 Free: 10:17.33
1650 Free: 17:27.30

Butterfly
50 Fly: 27.92
100 Fly: 59.18
200 Fly: 2:10.35

PRIOR TO UNF
Competed at Lakewood Ranch HS in Bradenton, Fla., for four years at the 4A level…holds a 4.3 GPA and is an AP scholar…competes in both the freestyle and butterfly…four-time Manatee County Champions…four-time Lakewood Ranch HS Team MVP and four-time County Champion in the 200 freestyle and 500 freestyle…also attended the Futures Championship and Senior Championships.

PERSONAL
Daughter of Nathan and Alison Griffin…has two brothers, Jaxon and Treyson…born on Sept. 23, 2007…plans to major in communications….chose UNF because “of the amazing swim program, team, staff and community. The location was also a great fit for me and I loved the positive energy from the girls on the swim team.”

Shelby Kolton

TOP TIMES
Freestyle
25 Free: 18.57
50 Free: 25.47
100 Free: 54.37
200 Free: 1:55.81
500 Free: 5:16.51
1000 Free: 11:06.38
1650 Free: 18:22.69

Backstroke
25 Back: 21.09
50 Back: 28.33
100 Back: 58.19
200 Back: 2:05.15

PRIOR TO UNF
Competed at Centennial HS in Franklin, Tenn., for four years…holds a 4.0 GPA in high school…competes in both the freestyle and backstroke…placed in top 16 at the state meet in both 2024 and 2025…finished top eight overall in relay from 2025 state meet…also attended the Speedo Sectionals In Cary, N.C., and the TYR U-18 Spring Cup.

PERSONAL
Daughter of Matthew and Maureen Kolton…has two siblings, Sloane and Brinkley…born on Feb. 25, 2008…plans to major in kinesiology….chose UNF because “the swim team was so welcoming and the campus atmosphere was exactly what I was looking for.”

Caroline Hughes

TOP TIMES
Breaststroke
50 Breast: 29.58
100 Breast: 1:02.62
200 Breast: 2:20.94

Individual Medley
100 IM: 1:01.55
200 IM: 2:09.32
400 IM: 5:16.14

PRIOR TO UNF
Competed at Wheeler HS in Marietta, Ga., for four years…competes in both the breaststroke and individual medley.

PERSONAL
Daughter of Josh and Leah Hughes…has one sibling, Bailey…born on June 7, 2008…plans to major in business….chose UNF because “I loved the culture and how tight knit the team was. It felt like home as soon as I stepped on deck.”

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