NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A total of nine individuals have accepted enrollment at Vanderbilt and will join the Commodore swim team in the fall, it was announced on Friday by head coach Jeremy Organ.
The group includes a trio of transfers—Emily Carpenter (Texas), Abby Francis (Davidson) and Sophia Kosturos (UCLA, pronounced KOS-stir-us)—along with incoming freshmen Grace Ciaramitaro (SHIM-ah-tar-o), Liv Gooding, Grace Heintz (rhymes with pints), Madelyn Porter (MAD-uh-lynn), Bailey Ratzburg, and Olivia Solimine (saul-ah-MEAN-ee).
“I can’t wait to get to work with the new members of our team,” Organ said. “Each individual in this group will play an essential part in achieving our lofty goals for this upcoming season. Everyone really fits in with our team and what it means to be a student-athlete at Vanderbilt.”
Emily Carpenter
Hometown: Chapel Hill, North Carolina
High School: Tarrboro High School
Club: TAC Titans
Best Events (Times): 50 free (23.61), 100 free (51.72), 200 free (1:50.15), 50 back (26.76), 100 back (54.97)
Additional Accolades: Advanced to the bonus final of the 100 free and 200 back at the 2023 Big 12 Championships, twice earned NISCA All-America honors, a two-time Scholastic All-American, was a finalist at the 2021 USA Swimming Futures Championships, won the 100 back at the NCHSAA 3A state championships as a senior, advanced to finals in two events at the 2022 Speedo sectionals
Why Vandy?: “I chose Vanderbilt because of the great balance between academics and athletics, and the super friendly team and coaching staff. I’m so excited to spend the next three years in Nashville!”
Grace Ciaramitaro
Hometown: Memphis, Tennessee
High School: St. Mary’s Episcopal School
Club: Memphis Thunder Aquatic Club
Best Events (Times): 200 free (1:51.06), 200 back (1:59.20), 200 IM (2:04.79), 400 IM (4:24.59)
Additional Accolades: Was a finalist for Daily Memphian Swimmer-of-the-Year honors all four years of high school, also named a finalist for Swimmer of the Year by the Commercial Appeal as a freshman and sophomore, part of the Commercial Appeal’s relay team of the year, chosen the team’s most valuable swimmer
Why Vandy?: “I chose Vandy because of the sisterhood I felt during my visit to campus. As well, Vanderbilt has a great combination of an amazing city, excellent academics, and the opportunity to be in the SEC. After stepping foot on campus, I knew that it was where I wanted to be for the next four years!”
Abby Francis
Hometown: Wethersfield, Connecticut
High School: Wethersfield High School
Club: Laurel East Hartford YMCA
Best Events (Times): 50 free (23.01), 100 free (49.86), 100 breast (1:02.03)
Additional Accolades: A team captain at Davidson in 2022-23, placed third in finals of the 100 free and also earned a bronze medal in the 400 free relay at the 2023 Atlantic 10 Championships, placed third in the 100 free at the A-10 Championships as a junior, scored 48 points—ranking among the top 10 individuals—while claiming six medals at the conference championships her sophomore season, named state swimmer of the year and was all-state and all-conference in high school
Why Vandy?: “I chose Vanderbilt because of the balance that it provides of academics and athletics. Everyone in the Vanderbilt community has been so welcoming and encouraging in my pursuit of my athletics and academics, I am so excited to become a Commodore!”
Liv Gooding
Hometown: Seattle, Washington
High School: Seattle Preparatory School
Club: Seattle Metropolitan Aquatic Club
Best Events (Times): 100 breast (1:02.36), 200 breast (2:16.21), 200 IM (2:03.43), 400 IM (4:22.66)
Additional Accolades: Competed at the WIAA 3A state championships all four years, finishing fourth in the 100 breast and 200 IM as a senior, set school records in both events and was part of record-setting teams in the 200 and 400 free and 200 medley relays, helped club team win the Pacific Northwest Championships twice, holds club record in the 400 IM and contributed to records in the 200 and 400 medley relays
Why Vandy?: “I chose Vanderbilt because of its prestigious academic program and SEC athletics. The school is filled with hardworking student-athletes and all of the girls on the team are so nice and fun. On top of that, it’s known to have one of the happiest college student bodies and I love all the music in and around the school and city of Nashville.”
Kate Heintz
Hometown: Southlake, Texas
High School: Carroll Senior High School
Club: Mansfield Aquatic Club
Best Events (Times): 200 free (1:50.23), 100 fly (54.67), 200 fly (1:59.27), 400 IM (4:24.15)
Additional Accolades: Earned All-America honors all four seasons at Carroll High, helped lead the Dragons to a pair of University Scholastic League 6A state championships, part of a team that won the NISCA Power Point national championship in 2020, helped the Dragons claim the state title in the 400 free relay on three occasions
Why Vandy?: “I chose Vanderbilt for the incredible academics along with the postgraduate opportunities that come with a Vanderbilt degree. I also fell in love with the city as well as the girls on the swim team. I can’t wait to join a positive environment full of motivated students-athletes in the fall!”
Sophia Kosturos
Hometown: Orinda, California
High School: Miramonte High School
Club: Crow Canyon County Club
Best Events (Times): 50 free (22.47), 100 free (48.89), 100 back (52.52), 100 fly (52.65)
Additional Accolades: Twice competed at the NCAA Championships while a member of the program at UCLA, advanced to the B Finals of three events—winning the 100 back—at the Pac-12 Championships last season, recorded career-best times in the 50 and 100 free and 100 back while scoring 48 points at the Pac-12 Championships as a junior, was a four-time NISCA All-American selection and named a Scholastic All-American three years in high school, ended her prep career the state record holder in the 100 back
Why Vandy?: “I chose Vanderbilt because of both the prestigious academic reputation and the immediate welcome that I felt from the athletics community. It is a perfect fit for me to succeed both academically and athletically, while simultaneously being able to experience a new and lively part of the country!”
Madelyn Porter
Hometown: Newburgh, Indiana
High School: Castle High School
Club: Newburgh Sea Creatures
Best Events (Times): 200 free (1:50.60), 1,000 free (10:19.61), 200 fly (2:02.83)
Additional Accolades: Made finals at the IHSAA state championships each of her last three years, won 14 events at the IHSAA sectional meet during her prep career, was a three-year captain for Castle High, helped the Knights to three state sectional championships and a top-10 finish at the IHSAA state meet her senior season
Why Vandy?: “Vanderbilt just has the perfect combination of prestigious academics and SEC athletics. After meeting the girls and the coaches officially I knew that Vanderbilt was where I wanted to be. It also doesn’t hurt that it’s in Nashville with lots of great food and music.”
Bailey Ratzburg
Hometown: Janesville, Wisconsin
High School: Milton High School
Club: Madison Aquatic Club
Best Events (Times): 100 free (51.70), 200 IM (2:02.17), 400 IM (4:27.50)
Additional Accolades: Earned all-state honors, finished second in the 400 IM at the Wisconsin Senior Short Course Championships, was a finalist in the 100 free and 200 IM at the WIAA state championships as a junior, made the finals—placing sixth overall—in the 200 IM at the state meet when she was a freshman
Why Vandy?: “I chose Vanderbilt because it has the perfect balance for me. It has the academic rigor and athletics to help me reach all my goals. After visiting campus, I felt the community at Vandy was unmatched. The coaches, staff, and team made me feel Vanderbilt is where I wanted to be for the next four years!”
Olivia Solimine
Hometown: Brentwood, Tennessee
High School: Ensworth School
Club: Ensworth Aquatics Club
Best Events (Times): 50 free (23.39), 100 free (51.69)
Additional Accolades: Finished third in the A Final of the 50 free and also qualified for the A Final in the 200 back at the Southeastern Short Course Championships as a senior, placed third in both the 50 and 100 free at the TISCA state championships her final season, made the A Final in the 50 free at the TISCA state meet when she was a junior, helped Ensworth School to its first-ever state championship in 2023, part of Ensworth Aquatics Club team that won senior girls’ group title for the first time
Why Vandy?: “Vanderbilt was an easy choice for me. With the combination of high-level academics, SEC athletics, and the welcoming team atmosphere, I knew it was exactly where I wanted to spend the next four years!”
