Free State senior swimmer Courtney Caldwell gets a big hug from her English teacher Carol Spring after Caldwell signed her letter of intent to swim for North Carolina State next fall during a gathering in the school library on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014. Nick Krug/Journal-World Photo

Free State swimmer Courtney Caldwell has some big goals in mind for her senior season, but she took some time Wednesday to solidify her plans after high school as she signed her letter of intent to North Carolina State University in the FSHS library.

“It became a possibility last year around December after my junior national meet I went and visited unofficially. I met the coaches and I just kind of fell in love,” Caldwell said. “It was my first official visit this fall. I took my other two and then canceled the rest and committed.”

Caldwell is the Kansas state record holder in the 50 and 100 freestyle, but Free State head coach Annette McDonald said that the senior standout has meant more to the FSHS swim and dive program than just being an elite athlete.

“The big thing about Courtney is that she’s a team player all the way, always encouraging everybody, always being a happy team player,” McDonald said. “Although she’s our fastest girl on the team, she’s always pushing other people to be there and do their best, too.”

Caldwell chose NC State over North Carolina, Texas A&M, Minnesota and Indiana. The Wolfpack placed 16th in the NCAA Championships last year, which was the team’s best finish since 1983-84. The sprinters are one of the strengths of NC State’s program, and Caldwell does not think there is a limit on the heights the Wolfpack can reach.

“They signed 10 girls as of right now and all are really, really good recruits. Their last class was really great,” Caldwell said. “They base their program off of sprinting, so it’s going to grow.”

Terrell signs with Carson-Newman

Wednesday also was a big day for the FSHS boys swim and dive team with senior Josh Terrell signing with NCAA Division II Carson-Newman (Tennessee). Terrell expects to swim the 200 IM, 400 IM and 100 breaststroke.

He said he was attracted to Carson-Newman because of the location, coaches and family close to the college.