Tennessee Emerges as a Key Destination for Canadian Swimmers

Knoxville, Tennessee, September 9, 2025

News Summary

Knoxville, Tennessee is attracting elite Canadian swimmers, bolstered by a growing recruitment pipeline. The University of Tennessee’s women’s swim team welcomes a star-studded class in 2026, featuring top-ranked U.S. and Canadian talents. This trend, which began with Tess Cieplucha’s 2016 admission, showcases the program’s ability to develop competitive athletes, enhancing its reputation in international swimming. With the upcoming season set to start against Louisville, the Volunteers are prepared for a promising year.

Knoxville, Tennessee is establishing itself as a premier destination for elite Canadian swimmers, buoyed by a burgeoning “Canada-Tennessee pipeline” that has gained momentum in recent years. The University of Tennessee’s women’s swim team is set to welcome a remarkable recruiting class in 2026, featuring several high-profile talents, including top-ranked American swimmers and seasoned Canadian athletes.

Among the incoming recruits are Charlotte Crush, the nation’s number one ranked swimmer, and Molly Sweeney, ranked fourth. Additionally, the class includes Eliza Wallace, who is ranked sixteenth in the United States. Alongside these American talents, Canada will be represented by Madison Kryger, Matea Gigovic, and Leah Tigert, all of whom bring invaluable international experience to the team. Kryger recently competed as part of Canada’s senior World Championship team, while both Gigovic and Tigert showcased their skills at the World Juniors.

The trend of recruiting Canadian swimmers at Tennessee dates back to 2016, when Tess Cieplucha joined the university. Since then, her journey has been a testament to the effectiveness of the program—Cieplucha’s improvements and achievements ultimately led to her selection for Canada’s Olympic Team in 2021. Her success has played a crucial role in establishing trust among Canadian athletes concerning Tennessee’s swim program.

Last season, Tennessee’s women’s swim team saw three Canadian NCAA scorers: Ella Jansen, Brooklyn Douthwright, and Regan Rathwell. Notably, Jansen, Douthwright, and Rathwell were also members of Canada’s Olympic team for the 2024 Paris Games and both Douthwright and Jansen qualified for this past summer’s World Championships.

To further strengthen their roster, the Volunteers have also secured Florida transfer Lilly Daley as a junior and freshman diver Thomas Ciprick for the current season. This diverse set of recruits aims to bolster Tennessee’s competitive edge in collegiate swimming as they prepare for the upcoming season.

The Tennessee swim team is scheduled to kick off their season on October 30, with a meet against Louisville laying the groundwork for what promises to be an exciting year for the program. With a strong blend of local and international talent, the Volunteers are poised for success, building on their established reputation and expanding their recruitment horizon.

Background on the Recruitment Pipeline

The expansion of Canadian athletes within Tennessee’s swim program has roots that extend back to Cieplucha’s admission in 2016. Her accomplishments have been pivotal, demonstrating the program’s ability to hone and develop swimmers capable of competing at the highest levels. The ongoing cultivation of talent has led to the emergence of a robust network linking Canadian swimmers to opportunities in Tennessee.

This evolving landscape underscores the significance of the NCAA swimming programs in nurturing excellence among young athletes, particularly in a sport where competitive experience can deeply influence performance outcomes. As more Canadian swimmers opt to join collegiate teams in the U.S., the results speak for themselves through increased participation and success on international stages.

Key Features of Tennessee’s Recruiting Class 2026

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Additional Resources

• SwimSwam: Canadian Swimmers at Tennessee
• Wikipedia: Swimming
• SwimSwam: Canada to Knoxville Pipeline
• Google Search: Canadian swimmers Tennessee
• WATE: Safety at Augusta Quarry
• Google Scholar: Tennessee swimming program
• Inside Knoxville: Swimming at Augusta Quarry
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Collegiate swimming
• Knox News: Search for Swimmer at Augusta
• Google News: Swimming safety Knoxville

Author: STAFF HERE KNOXVILLE WRITER

The KNOXVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREKnoxville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Knoxville, Knox County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Dogwood Arts Festival, Big Ears Festival, and Knoxville Asian Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership and United Way of Greater Knoxville, plus leading businesses in healthcare, education, and energy that power the local economy such as Covenant Health, University of Tennessee, and Tennessee Valley Authority. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.