May 4, 2016

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – University of Notre Dame swimming head coach Mike Litzinger is very familiar with the DeSelm family. After all, he used to work with Rich DeSelm, the head men’s and women’s swimming and diving coach at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill before accepting the head coaching job with the Irish.

Perhaps the pre-existing familiarity is what led Rich’s daughter Claire, a senior at Chapel Hill High School, to choose the University of Notre Dame for the next four years of her career.

Claire DeSelm, a five-time state champion from North Carolina, has committed to swim at Notre Dame.

“I am incredibly excited to join the team at the University of Notre Dame, “DeSelm exclaimed. “I cannot wait to be able to study at this diverse institution, and swim under Coach Litzinger and Coach Woo, alongside their motivated and inspiring team at Notre Dame. I am so excited to learn and grow, and do my best to contribute to the swim program and the school. I have known Coach Mike since he came to UNC, and am so excited to be able to swim under a coach I already trust – and one that has proven to be an exceptional 200 fly coach.”

“Claire is a terrific fit for Notre Dame,” said Litzinger. “She will make the most of her experience as a student, an athlete, and as a vital part of our University community. Claire brings a blue-collar work ethic to the pool, and will be an outstanding teammate. I am looking forward to working with her and the rest of our incoming athletes in helping the Irish swimming program build a great future.”

DeSelm, born in Charlotte but raised in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, is a five-time North Carolina state champion who can lay claim to several prestigious accomplishments in and out of the pool to date. She joins Reilly Lanigan and Erin Sheehan as incoming IM-ers for the Irish, and will add class depth alongside Katie Rentz, Sheehan and fellow North Carolinian Carolyn Kammeyer in the 100 and 200 fly events.

Stay tuned to und.com for updates throughout the summer on all things Fighting Irish swimming and diving.

Claire DeSelm, 5’5″, Fly/IM (Chapel Hill, North Carolina/Chapel Hill/North Carolina Aquatic Club)

Top Times:

100 Free (SCY) – 51.82

200 Free (SCY) – 1:51.55

100 Back (SCY) – 56.37

200 Back (SCY) – 2:02.39

100 Fly (SCY) – 54.77

200 Fly ((SCY) – 2:00.08

200 IM (SCY) – 2:02.59

400 IM (SCY) – 4:23.64

Prep & Personal: Athletic swimmer who joins eight other incoming freshwomen in the class of 2020 ââ’¬¦ swam with prep team at Chapel Hill High School and on North Carolina Aquatic Club (NCAC) team all four years of high school ââ’¬¦ with NCAC, named most valuable player four consecutive times and helped team finish second at 2015 Senior National meet ââ’¬¦ as a freshman with prep team, finished third in 100 fly and fourth in 200 IM at North Carolina State Championships ââ’¬¦ improved to state champion in both events as a sophomore ââ’¬¦ crowned Big 8 Conference, Division 3A Women’s Swimming State Championship MVP for her titles and was recognized as a Scholastic All-American in both events ââ’¬¦ also recognized as high school swimming All-American ââ’¬¦ as a Junior, repeated as 3A state champion in 100 fly and 200 IM ââ’¬¦ voted captain and again earned Scholastic All-American honors ââ’¬¦ as a senior, won 3a state title for third consecutive year in 100 fly, finishing fourth in 200 IM ââ’¬¦ recipient of 3A Women’s Swimming Outstanding Sportsmanship Award ââ’¬¦ won NCHSAA Performance of the Week Award (Feb. 9, 2016) ââ’¬¦ captained CHHS team for second season and was voted 2016 Big 8 Conference Swimmer of the Year ââ’¬¦ team finished regular season 9-0 and went on to win Conference Championship, Regional Championship and finish second at State Championship meets ââ’¬¦ outside of the pool, volunteers with Special Olympics ââ’¬¦ also served as a senator in Chapel Hill High School student government, as a senior athlete representative for North Carolina Swimming and as Tiger Roar Advisor, assisting with school spirit club ââ’¬¦ member of Rho Kappa National History Honors Society and Latin Honors Society ââ’¬¦ elected Vice President of Chapel Hill High School National Honors Society ââ’¬¦ biggest athletic thrill to date was representing CHHS and winning individual events at state championship for three years ââ’¬¦ youngest child of Tracy and Rich DeSelm ââ’¬¦ has an older brother, Grant ââ’¬¦ father, Rich, is current head men’s and women’s swimming coach at his alma mater, the University of North Carolina, and served as a U.S. Swimming National Team coach in 2014 ââ’¬¦ grandfather Jack Martin played football and baseball at Kentucky ââ’¬¦ will enroll in First Year of Studies program at the University.

— ND —

Lizzie Mikes serves as Media Services Coordinator at the University of Notre Dame. A 2013 graduate of Johnson & Wales University, she oversees credential management and is the athletic communications director for Fighting Irish men’s and women’s swimming and diving and track and field. She has assisted with numerous NCAA postseason events hosted by Notre Dame, and is heavily involved in the day-to-day tasks of the athletic communications office.