The UNCP Athletics Department hosted a socially distanced ceremony Oct. 24 for the Braves swimming team to receive their commemorative championship rings for winning the 2020 Mountain East Conference back in February. Attendance was limited to the swimmers, coaches and other Athletics Department staff.
back in February. Attendance was limited to the swimmers, coaches and other Athletics Department staff.
“It feels really good. I wasn’t expecting us to be this far this fast,” said senior Mary Thorn. The team’s first active season was in the 2016-17 season with nine swimmers.
Just three years later, under new coaching staff and 17 swimmers, they secured a team conference championship.
Junior Bianca Bateman said the team remains hopeful for their upcoming season, despite the coronavirus pandemic. “We’re all aiming for big wins,” she said.
The swimming program was put together by Coach Rhonda Blanks, and Oscar Roverato took over as interim head coach for the 2018-19 season, when they took third place at the Sun Coast Conference Championship in Orlando, Florida. Roverato was named to the permanent position the following year, led the team to the MEC championship, and was named MEC Coach of the Year.