MORGANTOWN — Former Morgantown High standout Caroline Riggs has been around swimming her entire life.
“I started swimming when I was around 5 years old. Coming from a swimming family–my dad swam at UC Berkeley and my mom swam at the University of Nebraska– it was not surprising that I had a relatively innate desire to swim,” she said. “My older sister, Abigail, also inspired me. Watching her excel in the pool from an early age only increased my interest in dedicating myself to the sport of swimming.”
Now a sophomore at Yale, Riggs is already making a big splash. This summer, she traveled to Indianapolis and participated in the U.S. Olympic Trials.
“Competing in the U.S. Olympic Trials was a surreal experience,” she said. “Swimming against the best swimmers in the world is something I will never take for granted, and it’s an experience I will cherish for the rest of my life. Although it was by no means an ordinary swim meet, I tried to treat it as such to calm my nerves. Of course, the 20,000 spectators made that a bit challenging, but their presence only made the experience more unforgettable.
“Swimming often doesn’t get much attention, so walking into the stadium before my 400 IM was overwhelming. The excitement radiating from the crowd only increased my excitement and ultimately made me pause to appreciate the magnitude of the event. Once I was in the water, however, it felt like just another pool–no different from the hundreds I’ve swum in before.”
Riggs comes from an athletic family. Her Father, Vic, was the former head swimming and diving coach at WVU.
“I truly believe my father is one of the greatest coaches in the sport of swimming,” she said. “I wouldn’t be half the swimmer I am today without his influence. His approach to swimming has always been simple: Commit yourself to your goals, and success will follow.”
She is also the twin sister of standout distance runner Irene Riggs, who competes at Stanford.
“Being a twin is one of the greatest gifts I have ever received,” Caroline Riggs said. “I am in constant awe of my sister and her dedication to every endeavor she pursues. She is and will always be my best friend. I can say with confidence I would not be where I am today without her. Growing up, with friendly competitiveness, we pushed each other to be the best versions of ourselves and for that, I am forever thankful.”
Riggs had an outstanding freshman season at Yale, setting a school record in the 400 individual medley, at the Ivy League championships. She also finished third in the 1650 and 500 freestyles.
“My freshman season exceeded my expectations,” Riggs said. “Swimming can be mentally challenging. Entering the college scene created a new environment fostering an arena of excitement that I had not encountered before. The built-in support system from my 50 other teammates and the incredible coaching staff at Yale allowed me to reach new heights. This collective support and belief in me propelled me towards the school record and qualifying for Olympic Trials.”
Her sophomore season is already off to a good start. She won the 1650 freestyle with a time of 16:43.35 at UMass. That was not only a pool record, but also the fourth fastest time in the country this season.
“I am super excited for my sophomore season. I hope to continue improving and having fun with the sport of swimming.”
The 2023 MHS graduate also had a great career in high school, being named a NISCA All-American, while winning nine individual state titles.
“High School swimming holds some of my fondest memories,” Riggs said. “The environment fosters such great energy contributing to so many unforgettable memories. One of my favorite memories was setting the state record in the 400 freestyle relay alongside Kate Blosser, Irina Stanescu, and Delaney Householder. There is no greater feeling than achieving success alongside your closest friends who have worked towards the same goal the entire season.”
While she had several college offers, she decided on Yale during her visit to the campus.
“While the recruitment process was challenging, my visit to Yale quickly brought clarity,” Riggs said. “Yale fosters a distinctive environment that promotes excellence in both athletics and academics. Additionally, the coaching staff and team are remarkably supportive, enthusiastic, and close-knit, creating a strong sense of community.
“One of the best things about attending Yale University is the people. Everyone is working towards excellence, pushing each other to excel. The atmosphere of hard work and perseverance makes success feel within reach.”
There is a part of New Haven, Conn. that makes Riggs feel like she is in Morgantown.
“New Haven is definitely more urban than Morgantown,” she said. “That said, there are similarities. As part of my training, I run twice a week, with one of my runs taking me to East Rock. East Rock reminds me a lot of Coopers Rock, with similar scenic views and rugged trails. The natural beauty reminds me of home, even if I am in a more urban setting.”
