Elizabeth Sowards

Position:
Fly, Free
Height:
5-6
Class:
Junior
Hometown:
Davidson, N.C.
High School:
Hough

Career Best Times

50 Free - 22.54r • 100 Free — 48.57 • 200 Free — 1:47.36 • 100 Back — 51.73 • 100 Fly — 53.11 • 200 IM — 1:57.43

No. 1 All-Time 800-Yard Freestyle Relay: 7:01.10 (2024)

No. 6 All-Time 200-Yard Individual Medley: 1:57.43 (2025)

No. 7 All-Time 100-Yard Backstroke: 51.73 (2025)

No. 9 All-Time 100-Yard Freestyle: 48.57 (2025)

As a Senior (2024-25)
Competed in 10 meets • Posted eight podium finishes in the 100 backstroke (3), 100 freestyle (2), 100 butterfly (2) and 50 freestyle (1) • Finished fifth in the 100 back and seventh in the 100 fly against Auburn • Claimed silver in the 100 back and bronze in the 100 free against South Carolina • Swam a personal-best time in the 50 free for third place and a season-best time in the 100 fly for fifth place against Virginia • Took third in the 100 free (PB), fourth in the 50 free and fourth in the 100 back at the Gamecock Invitational, also moved to No. 9 all-time at UNC in 200 IM • Podiumed in the 100 back (3rd) and 100 fly (2nd) against Duke • Placed third in the 100 fly and fifth in the 100 back at N.C. State • Swam PBs in the 50 free, 100 free, 200 free and 200 IM at the UNC Invitational • Finished 16th in the 200 IM (No. 6 all-time UNC, 1:57.43) and 14th in the 100 back at the ACC Championships • Also helped the Tarheels to scoring finishes in the 200 medley relay (7th), 400 medley relay (7th), 400 free relay (8th), and 200 free relay (9th) • Moved up to No. 6 all-time at UNC in the 100 back (51.73) at the Tennessee Last Chance Invitational • Earned CSCAA Second-Team All-America status in the 200 medley relay (16th), swam a PB in the 100 freestyle (No. 9 all-time UNC, 48.57), and competed in the 100 back, 200 freestyle relay, 400 freestyle relay and 800 freestyle relay at the NCAA Championship meet.

As a Junior (2023-24)
Competed in 10 meets • Landed eight podium finishes • Set the program record in the 800 Freestyle Relay during the NCAA Championships • Posted a “B Standard” time in the 100 Back during the Bulldog NCAA Qualifying Meet and in 100 Fly during the Princeton Big Al Invitational • Earned a “US Open Championships Standard” in the 100 Free during the Princeton Big AL Invitational • Dropped her 100 Fly and Back times.

As a Sophomore (2022-23)
Member of the Tar Heels' ACC Championship meet roster, participating in the 100 backstroke, 100 butterfly and 200 IM • Posted an NCAA B qualifying time in the 200 IM at the ACC Championships, her fastest career time in the event • Competed in six dual meets and Tennessee Invitational • Registered an NCAA B qualifying time in the 100 backstroke versus Duke, while placing third in the 100 butterfly against the Blue Devils • Recorded an NCAA B qualifying time in the 100 butterfly at the Tennessee Invitational, posting her career-best time • Placed third in the 100 butterfly in the dual meet with South Carolina • Finished third in the 100 backstroke against Queens (NC) • All-ACC Academic Team • ACC Honor Roll.

As a Freshman (2021-22)
Member of the Tar Heels' ACC Championship meet roster • Competed in seven dual meets • Finished second in the 50 free and 100 fly in the dual meet with Georgia Tech.

High School/Club
Graduate of Hough High School • Trained with SwimMAC Carolina • NISCA All-America • USA Swimming Academic All-America • Four-time NCHSAA 4A championship finalist • Claimed the silver medal in 100 free at the 2019 and 2021 state championship meet • Finished as runner-up in the 50 free at the 2019 North Carolina high school championships • 2019 NCHSAA 4A Western Regional 50 free champion • Attended Dunlap High School (Dunlap, Ill.) as a freshman (2017-18), placing sixth in the 50 free at the Illinois High School championship meet.

Personal
Birthday is Sept. 7 • Daughter of Greg and Nancy Sowards • Has two siblings, Gabe and Savannah • Sister, Savannah, swam at Emory University • Double majoring in advertising and public relations, and sport administration with a minor in business administration.