Cassidy Lima of Summerville, South Carolina has verbally committed to UNC-Wilmington for the fall 0f 2022. Lima specializes in the sprint freestyle events, with an emphasis on the 50 free.
“I am so excited to announce my verbal commitment to further my swimming and academic career at the University of North Carolina Wilmington! I can’t thank my family, friends, coaches, and teammates enough for the constant love and support! From the moment I stepped on campus I knew there was no other place I wanted to call home! Go Hawks!”
Lima swims year-round with the City of Charleston Southern Marlins Racing Team. She recently competed at the 2021 ISCA Summer Senior Blast and swam seven events. She made finals in three of her events while achieving new personal bests in the 100 and 200 free.
Lima does her high school swimming with Summerville High School, and is a three-time SCHSL 5A State Championships finalist. Lima earned “Girls Swimmer of the Year” for her performances at the 2020 Region 8-5A Conference Championships and the Class 5A State Championships.
Her best times include:
- 50 free – 23.36
- 100 free – 52.16
- 200 free – 1:54.62
- 50 free (LCM) – 27.14
- 100 free (LCM) – 1:00.47
Lima’s Winter Juniors cut is in the 50 free (23.36), which she achieved when she won the event at the 2019 South Carolina Short Course Senior Championships. Her best time in the long course version (27.14) is also from 2019, meaning she’s due for a drop in her primary event.
UNCW is a Division I mid-major program that competes out of the Colonial Athletic Association. Bobby Guntoro, who’s recognized as a world-class sprint coach, took over the UNCW program in 2020 after eight seasons at NC State. The Seahawks finished fifth out of six teams at the 2021 CAA Championships.
The Seahawks just graduated sprint specialist Evan Arsenault, who was a two-time conference champion in the 50 free. Arsenault won the event at the 2021 CAA Championships with a 22.37, which was right off her best time of 22.34
Based on last year’s results, Lima would’ve been the 2nd-fastest 50 freestyler and 4th-fastest 100 freestyler on the team, indicating her potential to excel in individual events and relays. At the 2021 CAA Championships, Lima would’ve placed 6th overall in the 50, and would’ve scored from the B-final in the 100 free.
Lima joins Quinn Bike, Lauren Sharp, Mary Shaw, and Maura Schoppa as members of the incoming class of 2026.
Congrats to her! (Side note I’m pretty sure Karsen Pena is already on the team at UNCW (freshman this year)).