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Lovemore inducted into Swimming and Diving HOF

Mar 01, 2022

Charlotte, NC – The NJCAA has announced one honoree to be inducted into the NJCAA Swimming and Diving Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Former student-athlete Tayla Lovemore of Indian River State (FL) has been admitted to the 2022 class following a decorated career for The River.

Tayla Lovemore | Student-Athlete | Indian River State (FL)

From 2014-16, Tayla Lovemore competitively swam for Indian River State (FL) and was an 11-time NJCAA Champion, helping the program to back-to-back championship titles. The South Africa native earned 2014-15 NJCAA All-American status for three individual events and four relay events, as well as 2015-16 NJCAA All-American status for four individual events and four relay events. Lovemore was named the 2016 NJCAA Women's Swimmer of the Year and named to the 2014-16 CSCAA All-America Team. Currently, Lovemore holds NJCAA records in the 50 freestyle, 50 backstroke, 200 freestyle relay, 200 medley relay, and the 100 individual medley. 

Following great success with The River, Lovemore continued her academic and athletic career at Florida State University where she was a four-time ACC finalist, school record holder in 100 butterfly and two-time NCAA Honorable Mention All-American. Additionally, Lovemore was named the 2018 Florida State Team MVP, All-ACC Academic Team, ACC Honor Roll, and was selected as the Golden Nole Award Winner.

Upon graduating in 2018 as a Seminole with a B.S. in environment and society, Lovemore earned a master's in aquatic environmental science while traveling the World Cup Swimming Circuit and training for the Tokyo Olympics. In 2019, Lovemore broke South African and African records (short course meters) in the 50 fly (25.54) and 100 individual medley (1:00.30). Lovemore won bronze at the 2018 FINA World Cup in Singapore in the 50m fly (25.54) and silver in the 100m fly (56.95) behind world record holder Sarah Sjostrom. 

The women's swimming and diving program for Indian River State has captured 40 NJCAA Women's Swimming & Diving Championship titles, including most recently in 2021.