VIDEO: Kate Salsbury Interview
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman Swim celebrated Senior Night in the final home meet of the season against Mars Hill and Emmanuel. The Eagles prevailed over both opponents on the men's and women's teams.
C-N Swim opened the meet this Friday night by honoring the eight seniors taking the pool for the final time at the Maddox Student Activities Center.
Christian Balint, Asger Hartvig, Eli Poole, and Tyler Schehr represented the men's squad. Breanna Belcher, Lily Parr, Kate Salabury, and Maria Tirulli were the women's seniors.
"It was a massive showing from the seniors tonight," said head coach Ben Young. "Every year I think it is going to get easier but it really gets a bit harder each year to see these kids grow and flourish as much as they have over the course of their four years here."
This was the second year in a row that the Eagles faced Mars Hill and Emmauel on Senior Night. Carson-Newman secured the victory on both the men's and women's sides in the meet.
On the Men's side, the Eagles secured a 129-73 win over Mars Hill and a 111-91 victory over Emmanuel. The night was capped off with an all-senior squad in the 200-yard freestyle relay taking home first place in a time of 1:27.38. Eli Poole was one of the seniors that contributed to that first place finish.
"It goes to show the perseverance that those guys have built with me over my four years," said Poole. "To finish that relay winning and to do it with those guys that can relate with me was really special."
Arthur Gluzman locked down a first place finish in the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 1:41.38. Daniel De Oliviera also earned first in the 50-yard freestyle.
"The senior class leadership was over the top this year," Poole said. "I was extremely impressed with all the guys and ladies and to any of the newcomers I would tell them to have fun with it and don't take the time for granite."
The women's side swept the competition, overcoming Mars Hill in a score of 145-51 and defeating Emmanuel in a score of 114-86. In the 200-yard freestyle relay, the women's squad was represented by all the women's swimmers. Senior swimmer Kate Salsbury was one of the seniors recognized in that final relay squad.
"It was so much fun," said Salsbury. "I've been with these ladies the past four years and being able to spend my last race with them in our home pool was the best thing ever."
Other standout performances for the Lady Eagles was Olivia Muir with a first place finish in the 100-yard freestyle in a time of 52.34. Megan Corcoran secured a first place time of 55.68 in the 100-yard backstroke. Senior Breanna Belcher won first in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:05.32) as well as senior Maria Tirulli in the 200-yard freestyle (1:56.51).
"The seniors have really been the team captains this year," Salisbury said. "We all came together and made decisions and plans. It's just been a really fun year getting to lead the team with my seven other seniors."
With the final meet of the regular season in the rearview, Carson-Newman looks to prepare for the South Atlantic Conference Championships beginning on Wednesday, Feb. 5th - 8th at the Greensboro Aquatic Center in Greensboro, N.C.
"The team needs to be ready," said Young. "We've talked a lot about piecing the puzzle together and making sure that all the races are pieced together appropriately. We are now there and that is the only thing standing in between us and Nationals and the end of the season. They need to be ready to focus but at the same time it is an opportunity for them to take a deep breath and know that the work has been done."
To keep up to date with Carson-Newman Swimming, you can follow us on social media @CN_Eagles on X and Instagram or Facebook by following Carson-Newman Athletics. You can also log on online at cneagles.com.
