By Lileana Pearson, Swimming World College Intern
Each year the NAIA welcomes in a new class of enthusiastic freshman. As new arrive, the seasoned NAIA seniors move on. As a final tribute to the senior classes’ hard work and dedication to the division, we take a final look and say farewell to a few of these stellar seniors.
The first women to be recognized is Biola superstar Christine Tixier. The famous fly swimmer has broke the 100 butterfly record the past two years, and came back to place first and smash the 100 fly (54.34), the 200 fly (2:00.89) and 200 IM (2:02.75) records all at the NAIA Nationals her senior year. She has been named NAIA’s Swimmer of the Year, and has been recognized for her academic achievements. The outstanding senior has helped improve the NAIA, and we wish her nothing but the best after hanging up the goggles.
Photo Courtesy: Biola University
The second female swimmer we want to highlight is a native of Belgium who put forth her best swims for University of the Cumberlands, Charlotte Parent. Parent helped the women’s team place fifth, and was one of three swimmers to beat the 200 IM record and finish third in that race. She also assisted her team in sweeping the events in the 2014-15 Mid-South Conference championship meet.
“The NAIA has had my heart for the past four years…” Parent said. Parent is an advocate for the family aspect of the division and is becoming a coach herself when she moves back to Belgium at the end of the school year.
For men, Concordia will miss senior Kevin Reichel. This IM and backstroke swimmer was a constant in finals in his events and won the consolation heat of the men’s 100 back (59.47) at the NAIA Championship meet. He helped his men’s team achieve a fourth place finish this season and will graduate as a sports science major with an emphasis in rehab.
Finally, the NAIA recognizes Simon Pheasant from Olivet Nazarene University. The sprint swimmer attended the 2014-15 Championships and made it into multiple finals heats in his events. In the 2013-14 season he was honored as a NAIA Scholar Athlete, was an All-American in eight events and helped his team to a runner-up finish at NAIA Championships this season.
Countless more seniors wrapped up their college careers this season. These seniors have left examples which will stick with their teammates and records for the NAIA swimmers to chase as they effort to become the next big names in NAIA swimming.