Every sport at every level of competition has a pioneer and for many young women in the United States that turned on their television sets in the 1970s and early 80s the inspiration to become a swimmer came from Tracy Caulkins. Caulkins, until the arrival of current swimming superstar Katie Ledecky, set the "gold" standard for U.S. female swimmers by capturing 48 U.S. national swimming crowns, three Olympic gold medals, five world championships and held three world records in various events.
Caulkins was once quoted as saying "I know a lot of people think it's monotonous, down the black lines over and over, but it's not if you're enjoying what you're doing. I love to swim and I love to train." That same passion and love of swimming was certainly felt by former Salem College swimmer and student-athlete Maureen Carlomagno, who helped paved the way for Salem's swim program as it exists today.
Carlomango discovered her love of the water while in middle school and continued to compete during her four-year prep career at Powell High School in Knoxville, Tenn., where she graduated in 1998. When she began looking to continue her education, Carlomagno sought out a small to medium sized college located in the Southeastern United States. That exploration led her to Winston-Salem, N.C., and the campus of Salem College.
As she describes the way that she fell in love with Salem, it came "at a college fair and Diane Conley Del Bueno engaged me," said Carlomango. "She got me to go to campus and was sold on the beauty of Salem itself. It is so special about how well it is kept—especially the landscaping and the old buildings. The other big selling point was being able to be in smaller classrooms because I liked the idea of building a relationship with teachers and classmates."
Carlomango, who received a partial merit based academic scholarship from Salem, went on to serve as Treasurer and Vice President (senior year) for the Student Government during her time at Salem in addition to competing with the swim team when it was a club sport. Her fondest memory of athletics on campus at the time was when the campus conducted a vote to name the school mascot—which proved to be Spirits.
Another fond memory for Carlomango, who continues to keep a watchful eye on the Salem swim program in present day, was traveling by van to the swim meets. As she describes, "my team didn't get to compete as a NCAA Division III program, but we competed against similar schools. We traveled to Hollins, Pfeiffer and had a 12-meet schedule. It was there that we really created a sense of comradery and teamwork that really kept me going."
The competitive drive and habitual routines of swimming remain a key part of the everyday life of Carlomango still. As a health coach and health educator, she capitalized on many of elective classes that exist at Salem College and continues to apply in her daily routine. Her busy lifestyle also includes a role as an adjunct professor of health promotion at Queens University in Charlotte, a role that she assumed last year.
As the aforementioned Caulkins once said of swimming "you do a thousand turns in practice. Well, you might as well do a thousand of them very well, rather than get lazy and get into bad habits." The same can be said of highly-motivated Carlomango, who found that "you have the opportunity to take different classes in electives and I took a lot of extra electives (yoga, fencing, archery) because the Salem Signature program gives a unique experience."
Another major advantage for Salem in the life of Carlomango was the opportunity to gain resume experience, which gave prepared her to "think critically and beyond the experience that you have by just attending classes. You see more of what is going on in the world." The passion and love for Salem continues to be a part of Carlomango's life, who returns to campus to talk to current biology students about the profession. She describes her alma mater by saying "if you want to take advantage of it you can have a well-rounded experience that you can't in other college settings."
Carlomango is also a huge proponent of the Big Sister/Little Sister program that takes place at Salem. First-year students receive junior "Big Sisters" the day before Fall Fest. Big Sisters serve to introduce their Little Sisters to life at Salem. As Carlomango discussed it is a great opportunity to get to know those in different classes on campus.
Name (including maiden name): Maureen Carlomagno
Sport(s) played: Swimming
Year of Graduation: 2002
Degree(s) Earned: BA in Biology and Spanish, minor in Women's Studies
What is your fondest sports moment during your career at Salem College?
Two thoughts:
1- I loved riding in the van to and from the swim meets. It was a great time to get to know other students better and several the older girls would really take the time to look after those of us who were younger. They were a good anchor for my first couple years in college. I followed their example and watched out for the younger team members later in my junior and senior years. I also followed in their footsteps to be active in other parts of the campus life, like Student Government Association and volunteering.
2- I was swimming the mile once in a close race. We always had another person at the end of the lane dunking the lane counter in the water as the swimmer would come up to flip. This time my team member and friend wasn't paying attention and accidentally dunked the same number twice! It meant I had to swim an extra 2 laps, which cost me the race. She felt really bad afterwards, and sometimes I would joke with her later that she wasn't allowed to be my counter anymore.
Who was the teammate or coach that inspired you the most while playing at Salem?
One of the swim coaches pushed me to try swimming long distance races. I had only ever swum the 200-yard race at the max. I was hesitant, but quickly came to love swimming the half mile and the mile. My steady pace suited the longer races and she was able to see something in my ability that I did not see in myself.
How has your degree from Salem helped you to achieve success in the business world?
I think the Salem Signature program is one of the best ways to really prepare a student for entering the world. Those were some of the most important skills I learned, outside subject matter classwork.
I loved that the college is small enough to really get to know your professors and other students well. We could really build a support network, push each other to do well, and reinforce the value of hard work.
I enjoyed that I could take all my core classes and could crossover to take some others in other departments and at other schools, like Wake Forest. I got a lot out speaking to alums and the special people who would be brought on to campus. I went on to pursue public health after an alum came to speak at my graduation and I got the chance to talk to her about her career.
What team concept(s) have you applied in your business and personal life that have proven beneficial after competing at Salem?
Develop strong relationships with the people around you for best success. Work together as a team to win the swim meet/project/clients.
What advice would you give to student-athletes interested in playing at Salem?
It was a great place to enjoy being part of a team without too much pressure. It was a great way to meet new people. Exercise and being part of a team helped me survive and thrive, especially as I lost my father at the beginning of my freshman year. Without swim team, I don't think I would have been able to get through his loss in the same way.
What moment did you share/experience with a teammate(s) at Salem that bonded the team forever that season?
We had such a mix of swimmers and different people on the team. We all were able to support each other well, in the pool and on campus.
What advice did you receive while playing at Salem that you apply to the course of your everyday life?
You (as a team) are only as good as your slowest teammate, support them to be their best and you will see better results.
