UNC Tar Heels Snag 2022 Verbal from Virginia 4A State Champion Kyleigh Tankard

Photo Courtesy: Kyleigh Tankard

NEW COMMIT: Yorktown, Va. native Kyleigh Tankard has pledged her verbal commitment to the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill beginning in the fall of 2022.

She will join Enfield, Conn. native Aislin Farris as a member of the Tar Heels’ Class of 2026.

Regarding her commitment, she said:

“I am so excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill! Thank you to all of my coaches, family, and friends who have supported me through it all. I can’t wait to be a Tar Heel! ?? #goheels”

A talented freestyler and butterfly, Tankard trains year-round with Coast Guard Blue Dolphins and most recently placed third in the 100 fly at Virginia Seniors in March where she earned four best times. She finished 10th in the 200 fly and 13th in the 100 fly at Juniors East after finaling in the 200m fly at the Toyota U.S. Open.

In summer 2019, she was a five-time finalist at Virginia LCM Seniors before going on to grab bronze in the 100m fly at Geneva Futures. Tankard also placed sixth in the 200m free and seventh in the 200m fly at Futures.

Her best times include:

Photo Courtesy: Kyleigh Tankard

50 free – 24.06
100 free – 51.61
200 free – 1:51.24
500 free – 4:59.19
100 fly – 54.29
200 fly – 1:59.70

Currently a junior at Grafton High School, Tankard is already a four-time individual Virginia 4A State Championship finalist. She won the 100 fly and raced to third in the 500 free as a sophomore while taking first in the 100 fly and fifth in the 200 free during her freshman season.

She has also earned USA Swimming Scholastic All-American honors for her efforts in the pool and in the classroom.

Tankard is a huge get for the Tar Heels, as she would’ve placed in the C-final of both the 100 fly and 200 fly at the 2020 ACC Championships. Under head coach Mark Gangloff, UNC improved from seventh in 2019 at the conference meet to fourth last season.

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

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Jeffrey M Johnson

3 years ago

Congrats!!

Norm Hines

3 years ago

Kyleigh, We are so proud of you! Go Heels! nana & pop

Margie

3 years ago

Kyleigh, Papa and I are so proud of you! Wishing you the best of all life has to offer. ⚘

Anonymous

3 years ago

Congratulations!

Kathleen E de Russy

3 years ago

Congrats ! You go girl!