WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Salem College swim head coach Vavina Lapham announced on Thursday, August 12, that the Spirits will join the Sun Coast Conference, marking the first-ever league affiliation in program history. Lapham, who has served in this role at Salem College since March, was also invited to join the International Swim Coaches Association (ISCA).
ABOUT THE SUN COAST CONFERENCE
The Sun Coast Conference will now consist of nine programs, including Ave Maria, Keiser, Pfeiffer, South Georgia State, St. Thomas, Southern Virginia and Thomas University. Another league member, Indian River State College, will be joining for the 2022 season only and also serve as the host of the Sun Coast Conference end of season meet on February, 10-12, 2022.
In 2020, the women's conference title went to Keiser, which edged out South Georgia State by a score of 687-421.5. Pfeiffer finished third in the standings with 324 pints, followed by Thomas University and Warren Wilson.
As for Salem, the Spirits returned the swim program in 2019-20 after a nine-year hiatus. Salem earned 45 Top-3 finishes over the course of the 2019-20 slate, including a single-season program-record eight from Olivia Kleven. Seven of those Top-3 performances were in relay events, including the 200 freestyle relay and 200 medley relay.
Salem's top returning senior on the 2021-22 squad, Allison Wakefield, earned three first-place finishes over the course of the 2019-20 season, including a pair of first-place outings in the 500-freestyle at the Guilford/Greensboro Dual (January 18, 2020) and Pfeiffer Dual (February 1, 2020). Wakefield, who is Salem's 2021-22 team captain, also earned a first-place finish in the 400-freestyle at the Pfeiffer Dual on November 9, 2019.
"It's exciting to be the first coach to ever take Salem College swimming into an official conference," said Lapham. "Over the past two years we have worked hard to build a strong foundation for our program to ensure our mark on the Salem College legacy."
LAPHAM'S INVITATION TO ISCA
Lapham received her official invite into the ISCA by Mark Rauterkus, who serves as the executive director at SKWIM USA as well as the broadcaster for the WPIAL Swim Championships. Lapham is also a member of American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA), National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association (NISCA), College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) and USA Swimming.
"It truly honor to represent Salem College on an International level through the ISCA," said Lapham. "This is a great opportunity to recruit internationally and engage at a higher level within the swimming world."
The mission of ISCA is to provide swimming teachers with an exceptional, science-based education, while fostering an international network of professionals who will define the future of swimming.
ISCA strives to provide swim coaches the tools and education they need to excel in a profession that is constantly changing with new research and technology. By joining ISCA, members help support that goal and elevate professional swim coaching.
ISCA members learn from each other to improve the sport of swimming. All members are invited to attend the annual Hall of Fame Coaches Summit, where top-level coaches, scientists and researchers present information essential to success. These clinics provide a unique opportunity to interact with some of the most innovative minds in swimming.