UNCW Coach Nicole Woods Survives Rip Current Rescue
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- Nicole Woods jumped into the Atlantic on May 21 to save her 8‑year‑old nephew, was dragged by a rip current, and lost consciousness after pushing him to the surface.
- Nicole Woods was revived by CPR and a defibrillator, spent at least 24 hours on a ventilator, and doctors confirmed she suffered no brain injury.
- Nicole Woods’s coaching duties were temporarily handed to associate head coach Cherie Lea while she recovers at home.
Why it matters: UNCW loses its head coach for the season’s start, forcing a temporary hand‑off to Cherie Lea, while Woods’ near‑death story raises public awareness of rip‑current dangers for families at the beach.
