Elizabeth "Lizzy" Spaans enters her third season as an assistant coach for the University of Sioux Falls swimming program in 2026-27 after returning to her alma mater following one of the most decorated careers in program history.
Spaans completed her second season on the Cougar coaching staff in 2025-26, helping guide USF to a third-place finish at the NSIC Championships and a No. 43 national ranking in NCAA Division II. She played an integral role in the development of a talented roster that saw Alessia Moro claim three individual NSIC titles in the 500-, 1,000-, and 1,650-yard freestyle events, while Charlotte Gibbs and Irene Paris combined for multiple podium finishes at the conference meet.
The Cougars also continued to thrive academically under Spaans' mentorship, earning four NSIC Team of Excellence honors, three NSIC All-Academic Team selections, four CSC Academic All-District honors, and a CorTrust Scholar-Athlete designation for Charlotte Gibbs.
During the 2024-25 season, Spaans helped guide the Cougars to a 2-5 overall record and a 2-3 mark in NSIC dual competition while continuing to build the program's competitive and academic foundations.
As a student-athlete at Sioux Falls, Spaans established herself as one of the most accomplished swimmers in school history. She was a seven-time NSIC champion, earning conference titles in both individual and relay events while helping lead the Cougars to four consecutive third-place finishes at the NSIC Championships. A two-time NCAA Division II Championship qualifier and CSCAA All-American, she also excelled in the classroom as a CSC Academic All-America Third Team selection, NSIC Outstanding Senior of the Year, two-time NSIC All-Academic Team and Team of Excellence honoree, and a two-time D2 ADA Academic Achievement Award recipient.
During her senior season in 2021-22, Spaans captured NSIC titles in the 200-yard individual medley and 100-yard individual medley while adding a runner-up finish in the 400-yard medley relay and a third-place finish in the 100-yard backstroke. She was also part of the NSIC meet record-setting 800-yard freestyle relay team.
In 2020-21, she defended her conference titles in the 200-yard individual medley and 100-yard backstroke, helped the Cougars capture the 400-yard medley relay title, and qualified for the NCAA Division II Championships after posting a pair of NCAA provisional marks. At the national meet, she finished 18th in the 100-yard backstroke.
As a sophomore in 2019-20, Spaans won NSIC titles in the 100-yard backstroke and 200-yard individual medley while earning CSCAA All-America honors and qualifying for the NCAA Division II Championships.
A native of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Spaans attended Sioux Falls Christian High School and competed for the Sioux Falls Swim Team. She was a Scholastic All-American and an All-America Honorable Mention selection before beginning her collegiate career at USF.
Career Achievements
- 7-time NSIC champion (individual and relay events)
- 2-time NCAA Division II Championship qualifier (2020, 2021)
- CSCAA All-American (2020)
- CSC Academic All-America Third Team selection (2022-23)
- NSIC Outstanding Senior of the Year (2022-23)
- NSIC All-Conference honoree
- 2-time NSIC All-Academic Team selection
- 2-time NSIC Team of Excellence honoree
- NSIC Myles Brand All-Academic with Distinction recipient
- 2-time D2 ADA Academic Achievement Award recipient
- Scholar All-America honoree
USF Records and Accomplishments
- 3rd-place finish at the 2026 NSIC Championships
- No. 43 national ranking in NCAA Division II
- 3 individual NSIC champions
- 4 CSC Academic All-District selections
- 4 NSIC Team of Excellence honors
- 3 NSIC All-Academic Team selections
- 1 CorTrust Scholar-Athlete honoree
Updated 6/17/2026
