Opponents:
Salem vs. William Peace / Warren Wilson | October 7 | Winston-Salem, N.C. | Salem Aquatic Center | 1 p.m.
SALEM HOSTING FIRST MEET OF 2023-24 SCHEDULE
After opening the 2023 season with a meet against UNC Pembroke, in Pembroke, N.C., on September 23rd, the Spirits make their home debut at the Salem Aquatic Center by hosting a meet that will include both William Peace and Warren Wilson.
This weekend marks the first of three home meets for the Spirits over the course of the 2023-24 campaign. The other dates include December 2nd (Warren Wilson / Columbia College), January 20th (Hollins / Greensboro) and the Salem Last Chance Meet, which is set for January 27th.
PINNIX BREAKS 100 FREESTYLE MARK
Salem junior Omega Pinnix made a quick first impression in her Spirits debut, claiming a pair of Top-8 finishes, as she broke a program record in the 2023-24 season opener at UNC Pembroke on Saturday, September 23rd.
Pinnix, in her first individual race of the season, bolted down the pool in 1:05.91 in the 100 backstroke as she placed fourth and broke the previous school record of 1:08.68, set by Rachel Fichthorn against Hollins on February 5, 2008.
The Greensboro, N.C., native followed that up by posting a time of 28.05 in the 50 freestyle, finishing just 0.29 seconds shy of breaking Paige Martin's program mark of 27.76 in the 50 freestyle. Martin set the record on February 5, 2008 in a meet with Hollins.
Salem also received a Top-5 finish from Madison Fullerton, who capped off her collegiate debut in the 100 breaststroke with a mark of 1:54.01, touching the wall fifth in the event. Fullerton also competed alongside Pinnix in the 50 freestyle, placing eighth with a mark of 43.15. In Fullerton's third event of the afternoon, the 200 breaststroke, she finished fourth with a time of 4:11.90.
Sara Vargas placed eighth for the Spirits in the 100 freestyle, posting a time of 1:30.11, after receiving a disqualification in the first event of her career, the 200 freestyle. Vargas snagged a fourth-place finish in the 100 butterfly with a time of 2:03.85 for Salem.
Daja Jones, who posted a time of 3:53.92 in the 200 breaststroke, earned a seventh-place finish in the 200 individual medley with a mark of 3:55.71.
Salem capped off the meet with four Top-5 finishes, however UNC Pembroke, who was tabbed as one of the favorites to earn the Conference Carolina's crown, earned the team victory by a score of 216-17.
INDIVIDUAL RESULTS / TIMES | vs. UNC Pembroke
| Place | Individual | Race | Time |
| 4. | Omega Pinnix | 100 backstroke | 1:05.91 |
| 5. | Madison Fullerton | 100 breaststroke | 1:54.01 |
| 7. | Omega Pinnix | 50 freestyle | 28.05 |
| 8. | Madison Fullerton | 50 freestyle | 43.15 |
| 8. | Sara Vargas | 100 freestyle | 1:30.11 |
| 4. | Daja Jones | 200 backstroke | 3:33.82 |
| 4. | Madison Fullerton | 200 breaststroke | 4:11.90 |
| 4. | Sara Vargas | 100 butterfly | 2:03.85 |
| 7. | Daja Jones | 200 individual medley | 3:55.71 |
WILLIAM PEACE SWIMMING IN 2023-24
In May, William Peace University athletics announced Brad Shannon as the program's first full-time Head Men's and Women's Swim Coach.
Shannon was most recently the Assistant Men's and Women's Swim Coach at the University of Rochester beginning in 2019. While at Rochester, he helped lead the team to seven school records, 46 CSCAA Scholar Americans, and over 90 All-Time Top 10 performances.
The Pacer women open their 2023-24 season this weekend when they head to Winston-Salem. It is the first of two meets for William Peace in October, along with a trip to Swannanoa, N.C., which will feature a clash with Warren Wilson.
WARREN WILSON SWIMMING IN 2023-24
The Owls kicked off their 2023-24 season with a trek to Kingsport, Tennessee, where they faced King University.
Warren Wilson, one of nine teams to take part in the event, finished ninth overall with six team points. The top finisher at the event was UNC Pembroke, who amassed 1,017 points, edging out Milligan (696 pts.) as well as Emory & Henry (454) for the top spot.
