ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The UNC Asheville swimming & diving team earned a rare tie with conference rival Campbell Saturday morning at the Justice Center Pool. After several lead changes, the Bulldogs and Fighting Camels ended in a 131-131 draw.
“Wow! In my 23 years associated with college swimming, I have never been a part of a tied final score,” said UNC Asheville Head Coach Elizabeth Lykins. “Our staff is extremely proud of how the team members stepped up and truly recognized the importance of every single point.
Throughout the 14-event meet, both teams had turns with the advantage on the scoreboard. Overall, there were six lead changes on the day. Asheville started well, winning the first three events before CU rebounded to take the lead after the fourth event. The Fighting Camels would hold the lead until after the eighth event. Following that point, the lead seemed to change hands with every event, with the score coming to a rest at 131-131.
The Bulldogs won eight of the 14 events on Saturday. Campbell and Asheville split the two relays, but the Bulldogs won seven of the 12 individual events. Individually, junior Amelia Ham led all scorers for Asheville finishing with 22 points. Ham won 100y breaststroke and the 200y individual medley to go along with a second-place nod in the 200y breaststroke. Not far behind were Kylie Johnson and Delaney Carlton, who finished with 18 points thanks to a pair of events wins apiece. Johnson, who was making her collegiate debut, won 1000y freestyle and 500y freestyle. Carlton, meanwhile, won back-to-back events in the 50y and 100y freestyle. Nora Segurola accounted for the other event win on the day for the Bulldogs, winning the 200y backstroke and 10 points overall. In Asheville’s relay win, Addison Wright, Sammy Kershner, Carlton, and Ham combined for a time of 1:48.54 to pace the 200y medley field.
“Delaney is getting so consistent in her sprinting,” remarked Lykins. “She is pulling along the newer sprinters on the team. Amelia earned HUGE points for us today as she was part of the first-place medley relay, two individual events and narrowly earned second in another.”
The Bulldogs will return to action next Friday against Liberty. The Diving portion will take place at the Jewish Community Center in Asheville and begin at 4 p.m., while swimming will compete at the Justice Center Pool beginning at 5 p.m.
