Top Recruit in New Jersey Caroline Baldwin Commits To North Carolina

WESTFIELD, New Jersey, September 23. THE North Carolina Tar Heels just added a top-50 member of the Class of 2014 when Westfield YMCA’s Caroline Baldwin made her commitment to North Carolina public today.

Baldwin, who is the 38th-ranked swimmer in the Class of 2014 by CollegeSwimming.com, provides Tar Heel head coach Rich DeSelm with a backstroke threat out of this recruiting class.

Baldwin’s top-ranked swims occurred this year at the regional YMCA short course yard championships. She busted out a 54.99 in the women’s 100-yard back, while also posting a 50-yard back time of 26.12 in relay duty.

Additionally, Baldwin has a 1:59.30 to her credit in the 200-yard back, as well as some freestyle potential with a 23.03 in the 50-yard free and a 50.63 in the 100-yard free. Her best long course time came by way of a 1:06.15 in the 100-meter back at the 2012 Regional Junior Olympics.

“I felt like I was right at home from the second I stepped on campus,” Baldwin posted on CollegeSwimming.com “I can’t wait to be a part of the Tar Heel family!”

Baldwin’s efforts from 2012-13 earned her the State Girls Swimmer of the Year honor from the New Jersey Star-Ledger. With her win in the 50-yard free with a 23.28 during her junior year, Baldwin became the first swimmer from Westfield High to win an individual state championship in 34 years.

“I knew going into that a Westfield girl hadn’t won since 1979,” Baldwin told The Star-Ledger. “That added a little pressure, but I’ve always done better with a little pressure. I wanted to make my coach (Jeff Knight) and the team proud so I just did my best.”

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