Background
Emily Sawyer has been essential to UNC Asheville. Sawyer’s relay points have propelled the Bulldogs to duel meet wins and her enthusiasm has helped her teammates reach their goals.
Sawyer grew up in Greenville, North Carolina with her mother, stepfather, and her older siblings Erin and Scott. Completing the family is their dog, Jack. Sawyer had an early start in the sport of swimming, first diving off the blocks at age seven.
Sawyer would go on to compete for J.H. Rose High School in the North Carolina High School State Championships her sophomore, junior and senior years. Highlighting her leadership skills, she would be named MVP and voted captain her junior and senior years.
When it came time to decide where to attend college, Sawyer saw herself representing the UNC Asheville Bulldogs as a student-athlete. She was excited for the opportunity to join a second-year Division I team. There, Sawyer’s success from high school continued.
Freshman Year
Sawyer made an impact for the Blue and White at the start of her freshman year, showing her commitment for the team through her efforts on relays. She earned first-place points in four relays during the regular season. During Asheville’s mid-season invitational, Sawyer was a member of the 3rd place 400 freestyle relay, the highest scoring relay for the Bulldogs.
Sophomore Year
Sawyer excitedly began her sophomore year after a successful first year at Asheville. In the classroom, she earned Conference All-Academic honors for the Fall 2014 semester. Riding on that achievement, Sawyer focused on her specialty events, the 100 butterfly and 100 breaststroke. Her hard work paid off when the Blue and White competed in their mid season invitational. Sawyer raced personal best times of 1:00.49 in the 100 butterfly and an exceptional relay split of 1:10.16 in the 100 breaststroke. Sawyer raced impressive times at the 2015 CCSA Championships despite a painful back injury that kept her out of the water for months. Sawyer swam a personal best time in the 100 freestyle. She raced a collegiate best time in the 100 breaststroke, touching the wall at 1:11.70.
Junior Year
Sawyer trained hard during the fall of her junior year. She saw the results of that training at the 2015 Georgia Tech Mid Season Invitational. She raced to a best time from a flat start in the 100 breaststroke at 1:10.52. Sawyer also raced the 100 butterfly, 100 freestyle and 50 freestyle. Shortly after the meet Sawyer fell victim to another season ending back injury. Despite her disappointment, she remained an attentive and supporting teammate. Sawyer rallied around her teammates at the 2016 Coastal Collegiate Swimming Association Championships and courageously raced the 50 freestyle.
Top Times
100 Butterfly 1:00.49 Wingate Winter Frenzy 2014
100 Breaststroke 1:10.16 Wingate Winter Frenzy (relay split)
Volunteering/Community Outreach
Rocky’s Readers
MLK Day of Service
Future Bulldogs Program
Asheville City Half Marathon
Student Athlete Advisory Committee
National Girls and Women in Sports Day
Manna Food Bank Food Packaging Day
