Completed Event: Swimming and Diving at Nebraska on October 2, 2026 , Loss , 101, to, 197
Final
Swimming and Diving
101
Nebraska
197
Iowa State University Athletics
Photo by: LUKE LU @KL6PHOTO
11.12.2026 | Swimming and Diving
AMES, Iowa – Iowa State head coach Matt Leach announced the first signings of the 2027 recruiting class, welcoming four talented swimmers from Iowa, Connecticut, Louisiana, and Brazil to the Cyclone family.
The new additions for the 2027-28 season include Andi Clement (Lafayette, La.), Laura Comini Romero (Belo Horizonte, Brazil), Annie Gilligan (Dubuque, Iowa), and Adrianna Spelman (Fairfield, Conn.). Each brings championship experience, success, and a desire to win for the Cardinal & Gold.
"I'm excited to announce our 2027 signing class that will not only build on our previous classes but will also continue to help us excel in the Big 12 Conference and nationally," said Leach. "This class will help solidify events that the Cyclones need more depth and competitiveness at the Big 12 and beyond."
Andi Clement – Freestyle/Breaststroke – Lafayette, La. – Southside High School
A dominant swimmer from Southside High School, Andi Clement is daughter to Shannon and Paula Clement, and sister to Matthew, Jacob, & Collin. A four-year varsity letterwinner and three-year team captain under head coach Cherie Beshears, Clement is a five-time LHSAA Division 1 Champion in 50 & 100 freestyle. She holds school records in 50 free (23.43) and 100 free (50.97). Clement was named an All-American in the 2025-26 season, named to the 2026-27 LHSAA All-Academic Divisional Team, is a three-time SSA Scholastic All-American, and is part of the National Honor Society.
Clement also swims competitively for Crawfish Aquatics under Thomas & Lyndsey Clavier. Since 2019, she has been a multi-time Louisiana State Champion in breaststroke, and a State Medalist and State Finalist in breaststroke, butterfly, and freestyle. Clement is also part of several medley and freestyle relay teams that hold Louisiana State Records.
Andi plans to major in Animal Science and minor in Animal Nutrition at Iowa State.
Leach on Clement… "Andi comes to Ames, Iowa from Lafayette, Louisiana and I could not be prouder to have someone who shares the vision and work ethic that I expect from all our Cyclones. Andi also helps solidify our sprinting core and I am looking forward to seeing what she can do at the Big 12 level."
Laura "Lala" Comini Romero – Freestyle/IM – Belo Horizonte, Brazil – Education World Wide/Colégio Santa Dorotéia
From Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Laura is daughter to Rogerio Aoki & Patricia, and sister to current Cyclone Beatriz "Bibi" Comini Romero. Lala is a multiple-time Brazilian National Age-Group Championship medalist in Freestyle and IM, a two-time South American Championship competitor and medalist, and a Brazilian National Relay Champion. Her top times include 56.99 (100m Free), 1:59.50 (200m Free), and 4:09.80 (400m Free).
Leach on Comini Romero… "Lala comes from a swimming family and she also will join our freestyle group solidifying not only the 50 freestyle and sprint events but all the way up to the 500 freestyle. She will join her sister on the team coming from Brazil and I am so excited for her to be a Cyclone!"
Annie Gilligan – Freestyle/Backstroke – Dubuque, Iowa – Dubuque Senior High School
A versatile swimmer in freestyle and backstroke, Annie Gilligan joins Iowa State as a three-time IGHSAU State Runner-Up from Dubuque Senior High School under head coach Jesse Huff. She holds five school records in 50, 100, & 200 freestyle, 100 backstroke, and 100 butterfly. Gilligan is a two-time All-State honoree in 2023 & 2024, an All-State honorable mention in 2025, earned All-conference honors from 2023-2025, and earned Conference Co-Athlete of the Year in 2024 and 2025. She is daughter to Todd & Meg Gilligan, and sister to Jack and Molly.
She also ran track at Dubuque Senior, qualifying for State and the Drake Relays in the 4x800 Relay.
Leach on Gilligan… "From Dubuque, Iowa, she stood apart from the start of the recruiting process as a 200 freestyler, sprint freestyler, and backstroker that brought the right energy. Her excitement continued to grow and her development in her events really showed. I'm most excited for her to stay in-state and build around her work ethic and passion for our Cyclone Nation."
Adrianna Spelman – Freestyle/Backstroke – Fairfield, Conn. – Fairfield Warde High School
Hailing from Connecticut, Adrianna Spelman is a four-year varsity letterwinner at Fairfield Warde High School under head coach Jonathan Zajdel. Spelman is a three-time first team All-State, a four-time all-conference honoree, and holds several team records in both freestyle and backstroke. She is daughter to Julia & Declan Spelman and sister to her brother, Declan. Adrianna plans to major in Kinesiology at Iowa State.
Leach on Spelman… "Adrianna at the outset of this process brought amazing energy and with her times, which score at the Big 12 Conference, it was such an easy process for her to see the vision of the Cyclones, and she wanted to be apart of it. We are excited to welcome Adrianna and her family to Cyclone Nation!"
Thursday, July 22
Monday, January 27
Wednesday, December 19
Monday, December 10
