Erin Riggs is a valued member of the UNC Asheville Women’s Swim Team. As a member of the Distance Crew, Riggs swims the 1000 and 500 freestyle events at nearly every dual meet for the Bulldogs.
Background
Riggs grew up in Kings Mountain, North Carolina with her parents, older brother and black lab Stella. She put on her cap and goggles at six years old for Sharks Aquatic Club where she would swim until high school graduation. As a member of Sharks Aquatic Club, she received the Team Before Self Award and the Most Valuable Swimmer Award twice.
Swimming for Shelby High School, Riggs received the WHOS/McDonalds Scholar Athlete of the Month Award and the Wendy’s County Heisman Athlete of the Year Award. She was also a four-time All Conference, Regional and State qualifier. As a captain of her high school team, Riggs led the team academically as well. She was a member of the Beta Club, National Honors Society and was a Junior Marshall.
Freshman Year
Passionate about the environment, Riggs declared a double major in Environmental Policy and Management and Economics. She excelled academically, making the Deans List as a freshman and joining the Theta Epsilon Kappa Leadership Society. In the pool, she diligently raced distance events during the regular season. She raced the 500 freestyle four times and the 1000 freestyle six times. Riggs proudly swam the 200 butterfly for the first time in her swimming career. At the Coastal Collegiate Swimming Association Conference Championships, she swam the 500 freestyle, 200 freestyle and 1650. She swam a collegiate best time in the mile and dropped time in the 500 freestyle for the first time in four years. In addition, Riggs finished the season with CCSA All-Academic Honors.
Sophomore Year
Riggs had the opportunity to take part in EQI Stream Monitoring for local community streams as an Environmental Policy and Management major. She continued her participation in the Distance Crew, swimming the 1000 freestyle six times at regular season dual meets. She steadily improved her time throughout the season. Unfortunately, Riggs spent the final month of the regular season out of the pool due to an illness. She rallied in the few days leading up to the 2015 CCSA Championships and was able to race despite her illness. She finished the season with CCSA All-Academic Honors.
Junior Year
Riggs raced distance freestyle early in the season and enjoyed success in her events. Unfortunately, a painful back injury kept Riggs out of the pool for the second half of the season. Her commitment to the team was unwavering, as she continued to assist the coaches at practice and offer support to her teammates. Riggs looks to recover in the spring and race for her final season as a senior.
Best Times
500 Freestyle 5:48.83
1000 Freestyle 12:03.09
1650 Freestyle 20:17.20
Volunteer Activities
Asheville City Half Marathon Water Station
Rocky’s Reader’s
Future Bulldog Program
Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service
Manna Food Bank Food Packaging Day
National Women and Girls in Sports Day