Valkyries Host First NCAA DII Home Swim Competition
The Converse Valkyries swim team will host their first ever collegiate swim meet at Converse College on October 14th-15th. The meet will take place at the newly renovated natatorium in Montgomery Student Center, which has been the training home of the Valkyries since the program’s conception in 2009.
“With the extensive upgrades to our facility, it is like getting a brand new home,” said head swim coach Corey White. “The additions of the new timing system and blocks give our team the home meet support they’ve been craving for the past two years.”
The natatorium, which was built in 1959, received a major renovation in 2008 when a new heating, ventilation, and gutter system was installed. The latest renovation was sparked after the Valkyries swim team finished the 2010-2011 dual meet season undefeated. The timing system was funded by a gift from Coca-Cola Bottling Company United, and is the company’s first investment in a collegiate swim program.
“We are thrilled to be hosting our first college swim meet at Converse,” claimed Converse Director of Athletics, Joy Couch. “The upgrade of our swim facility to add starting blocks and a timing system was a top priority for us in the off-season, and we rallied together with our supporters to make it happen. As we strive to provide our student-athletes with the best possible college experience, this is another giant leap in the right direction.”
The natatorium renovation project now makes it the only facility in Spartanburg that has a Colorado timing system and scoreboard with starting blocks, that rival some of the nation’s top facilities.
“After such a successful season last year and the excitement surrounding our program, we feel this propels us to be at the forefront of the Bluegrass Mountain Conference in terms of what we offer our student-athletes,” explained Couch. “Converse is grateful to all of our supporters, especially Coca-Cola, whose generous donations made it possible for us to provide this experience to our fans, parents, and athletes.”
The Converse swim team kicked off their season at Pfeifer University in Misenheimer, NC on October 8th. They will then be at home for the inaugural home meet as their second competition of the season. The facility has already played host to several high school meets which have been hosted by Dorman High School and Spartanburg Day School since the installation of the new equipment.
“I’m extremely grateful for the support of the Converse community and our sponsors,” added White. “We have already seen the facility in full swing during the meets hosted by Dorman and Spartanburg Day, but for our team to finally be at home and have the Converse crowd behind them will be a totally different feel. I am excited and feel blessed to experience it with the team.”