Opponent:
Salem vs. UNC Pembroke | September 23 | Pembroke, N.C. | Sue Walsh Swimming Pool | 11 a.m.
LAST TIME OUT FOR THE SPIRITS (Feb. 25, 2023)
The Salem swim team put the finishing touches on the 2022-23 campaign with its first-ever Last Chance Meet in program history. The meet, which took place at the Salem Aquatic Center, included just three events.
Kylie Clark opened the meet with a first-place finish in the 100 backstroke, edging out teammate Eleanore Regenthal by just under five seconds. Clark, who tied the Salem program record for most Top-3 finishes with the first-place performance, capped off the race in 1:41.44. Regenthal closed with a mark of 1:46.41.
The two went head-to-head in the 50 freestyle with Clark (36.90) grabbing the all-time record for most finishes (17) by edging out Regenthal, who posted a time of 43.97.
Clark completed the three-event sweep with a first-place outing in the 100 freestyle, posting a time of 1:28.37. Regenthal touched the wall at the 1:46.51, to wrap up her season with a second-place outing.
With the three wins, Clark surpassed Olivia Kleven's program record for most Top-3 wins in a season and career (18).
SALEM OPENS 2023-24 CAMPAIGN AT UNC PEMBROKE
The Spirits head into their third season under the direction of head coach Vavina Lapham.
Lapham enters the season with eight newcomers, including junior Omega Pinnix, who transferred to Salem after two years of competition at the University of Illinois-Chicago. Pinnix attended nearby Grimsley High School in Greensboro, N.C., before spending two years with the Flames.
The Spirits will send six of their eight swimmers to Eastern North Carolina this weekend, including first year's Rama Alsakhita, Madison Fullerton, Daja Jones, Priyasha Karki, Sara Vargas and Pinnix.
FIRST TIME CLASH INCLUDING UNC PEMBROKE
This weekend marks the first-ever meet with UNC Pembroke as an opponent.
Next weekend, Salem will host its Blue & Gold Meet on Friday, September 29th at the Salem Aquatic Center.
BRAVES LOOK TO BUILD ON 10 WINS IN 2022-23
UNC Pembroke is looking to build off one of its most impressive seasons since the 2017-18 campaign.
The Braves, who have won at least four meets since 2017-18, finished with a 10-3 mark a season ago. UNC Pembroke ended the 2022-23 slate with a four-meet winning streak that began with a 184-78 triumph over Lenoir-Rhyne on January 21st. That same afternoon, the Braves posted a 186-74 win over Roanoke.
The winning streak moved to three with a 154-49 win over Converse in Spartanburg, S.C. The Braves concluded the team portion of their 2022-23 slate with a 167-80 win over King in Kingsport, Tennessee.
UNC Pembroke's season drew to a close with a second-place performance in the Conference Carolina's Championship on February 15-18. The Braves totaled 611 points across the 4-day event in northeast Tennessee before settling into the runner-up position behind defending league champion Emmanuel (700 points). Barton was third with 539 points.
