COMPLETE RESULTS

Score:
UNC Pembroke 216-Salem 17 | September 23 | Pembroke, N.C. | Sue Walsh Swimming Pool

PEMBROKE, N.C. – Salem junior Omega Pinnix made a quick first impression in her Spirits debut, claiming a pair of Top-8 finishes, as she broke the 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 shattering 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.