Katie Chignell, Caitlyn Hughes Deliver Verbal Pledges to Richmond Spiders for 2022-23

Photo Courtesy: Katie Chignell / Caitlyn Hughes

NEW COMMITS: The University of Richmond has collected two more verbal commitments for the fall of 2022 from Raleigh, N.C. native Katie Chignell and Caitlyn Hughes of Flemington, N.J.

Both talented swimmers will join Julia Krichev of Huntsville, Ala. as a member of the Spiders’ Class of 2026.

KATIE CHIGNELL

Photo Courtesy: Katie Chignell

Regarding her commitment, she said:

“I am so excited to finally announce my verbal commitment to swim and study at the University of Richmond! I’d like to thank my family, friends and coaches for helping me get to this point. Richmond offers the perfect combination of academics and athletics with a great team culture. I look forward to joining such a successful and supportive group in 2022! Go Spiders!!”

Chignell, who does her club swimming with TAC Titans, earned a best time at Cary Sectionals two months ago and placed eighth in the 200m free at that meet a year prior. In July 2019, she had a stellar showing at North Carolina Long Course Age Groups, finaling in six events and notching eight lifetime bests.

Her best times include:

50 free – 24.16
100 free – 52.33
200 free – 1:50.86
500 free – 5:01.39
1000 free – 10:38.47
100 fly – 56.80
200 IM – 2:07.70
100 back – 59.40
200 back – 2:08.98

Also competing for Enloe High School, Chignell is a three-time North Carolina 4A State Championship finalist. She raced to 10th in the 200 free during her junior campaign while taking fourth in that event as well as 16th in the 200 IM as a sophomore.

CAITLYN HUGHES

Photo Courtesy: Caitlyn Hughes

Regarding her commitment, she said:

“I am extremely excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my athletic and academic career at the University of Richmond. I chose Richmond because of the supportive coaches and team, and the amazing academic opportunities. I would like to thank my family, coaches, and teammates for helping me get to this point. I am so excited to be a spider!!???”

Hughes trains year-round with Greater Somerset YMCA and most recently earned three best times at the NJ Gold/Senior State Meet in March and was the 200m free runner-up at New Jersey Seniors in 2020. She raced three events at YMCA LCM Nationals in Summer 2019 before going on to record three top-3 finishes at Eastern Zone Age Groups.

Her best times include:

50 free – 24.28
100 free – 52.39
200 free – 1:53.76

Currently a junior at Hunterdon Central Regional High School, Hughes is a three-time New Jersey Meet of Champions finalist. She finished sixth in the 100 free and eighth in the 50 free as a sophomore while taking 12th in the former event as a freshman.

If you have a commitment to share, please send a photo and quote via email to hs@swimmingworld.com.

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