Meet the New SI Swimsuit Rookies for 2024

Sharina Gutierrez; Achieng Agutu; Berkleigh Wright

It's that time of year again! Sports Illustrated Swimsuit is unveiling the winners of the 2023 SI Swim Search—and this year's results are unprecedented.

For the first time ever, each of this year's seven finalists in the open casting call have been named co-winners of the Swim Search, and every single one of them will be featured as rookies in the 2024 SI Swimsuit Issue.

So, for those who haven't had a chance to get to know the 2023 Swim Search finalists, we're here to introduce you to the first seven rookies in next year's 60th anniversary issue.

Without further ado, let's meet the rookies!

Brittney Nicole

Brittney Nicole, 32, is a Naval contractor from Georgia who began pursuing a modeling career after she completed her contract and worked for the Navy as a civilian.

Nicole has already taken the runway at New York Fashion Week and even auditioned for America's Next Top Model, with the show's host and SI Swim icon Tyra Banks being one of her biggest inspirations.

"She represented so much to me as a young Black model paving the way for others to come,” Nicole told SI Swim about Banks' 1997 cover. "Watching her throughout the years working with the brand motivated me to pursue the same."

Sharina Gutierrez

Sharina Gutierrez, 33, is a mom of three as well as a model, sound guide and self-love advocate from Los Angeles, Calif. She is also the founder of Mama Mantra, a community for her fellow mothers.

Gutierrez first connected with the SI Swimsuit team 10 years ago, but it wasn't until this year that she decided to try out for the open casting call.

"All the times you failed and made mistakes are going to lead you to the biggest wins of your life,” she stated. “Don’t ever let those moments define you. You are born to be different. Don’t spend time trying to blend in. Embrace who you are and allow yourself to soar. You are going to love everything you have ever doubted yourself, because you know more than anyone who you truly are inside. Keep dreaming no matter how crazy [your dreams] may seem, because you will achieve them."

Penny Lane

Penny Lane, 27, is a British model and certified holistic health coach who has long considered herself a fan of the SI Swimsuit brand.

She remembered feeling empowered by the magazine back when she was a teenager, and has been dreaming of modeling for the iconic publication ever since.

"I was so taken with their confidence and beauty that I cut out their pictures and proudly displayed them on my wall, dreaming that I too could one day be like them,” Lane said. "Looking back, I now realize that the power of my manifesting was at play even then, as little did I know that my dream would eventually lead to this moment."

Achieng Agutu

Achieng Agutu, 26, is a content creator, model and confidence advocate from Kenya. As a Black woman in fashion, she uses her social media platform to empower her followers through her lifestyle content. She also has a double master’s in international marketing and business analytics and is fluent in four different languages.

Agutu has had her eyes set on SI Swimsuit since she moved from Kenya to the U.S. at the age of 13.

"The brand truly empowers, motivates and validates the voices of all women," she told the publication. "With my own platforms, I’ve tried to do just that as well, so... it feels that my long journey to get to this point is all worth it. It's surreal and magical!"

Jena Sims

Jenna Sims, 34, is a non-profit CEO and fashion designer. She walked the Miami Swim Week runway in July while pregnant with her first child back in July.

She and her husband, pro golfer Brooks Koepka, have since welcomed their bouncing baby boy, Crew.

Sims is also the founder of the annual Pageant of Hope, an inclusive pageant that focuses on confidence, self-esteem and appreciation of inner beauty for children and teens.

"Helping these incredible participants from all over the world feel beautiful on the inside so closely parallels the mission behind SI Swimsuit," she said. "It's not about the body, but who’s in that body."

"My passion is helping people and spreading joy. Together, I know we can make a positive impact in the world," the new mom added.

Nina Cash

Nina Cash, 57, is a model, retired university associate dean and mother of three. A native of Long Beach, Calif., she has a doctorate in educational leadership, with an emphasis in higher education and adult learning. She also has over 30 years of experience in education, training and workforce development.

According to Cash, modeling is her "encore career," which is why SI Swim means so much to her in terms of defying age standards.

"On the surface, society’s label of me as it stands is: 'a minority female, disabled, senior citizen retiree.' (A side note: ‘disabled’ because I have diabetes),” she explained. "Of course, this makes me chuckle—loudly! I am not that label and, therefore, am ready to be a part of the changes I wish to see, and SI Swim Search [is] the perfect partner to do so with."

Berkleigh Wright

Berkleigh Wright, 29, is a technical account manager and analyst from Kansas, but that's not her only passion. She's also as well as a cheerleader for the Denver Broncos, and she works closely with several charitable organizations.

In working with SI Swim, Wright hopes to inspire the younger generation, telling the outlet, "Being a member of the Sports Illustrated family and having this powerful platform would help me further myself as a mentor and reach a wider audience of our youth."

"A mentor that demonstrates to our younger generation that you are not limited by your external factors, but rather unlimited by the person you can become from the inside out," she added.

Next: See the Most Iconic Throwback SI Swimsuit Cover Models Then and Now