Sports Spotlight: Inspired training sees Winterville’s Emily Armen swim her way to University of Tennessee and hopefully beyond

GREENVILLE, N.C. (WITN) – Hopefully you have been enjoying the USA Olympic Team Trials each night. A local girl from Winterville is knocking on the door and could soon be one vying for the U.S. Olympic team. Emily Armen is already one of the top swimmers in the country for her age group and feature her in our Pepsi Sports Spotlight.

“I started when I was 5 and I kind of fell in love with swimming,” says Emily Armen.

Winterville’s Emily Armen has grown up in the pool through years of work with East Carolina Aquatics.

“The best female trainer we have ever had in the entire program’s history,” says East Carolina Aquatics Coach Casey Charles.

Armen starred at D.H. Conley in high school and earned national high school All-American times in both the 50 and the 100 meters.

“A great honor you have to hit a certain qualifying time at regional or state championships,” says Armen.

She competed with her club all the way in California for the Junior National Championships.

“Almost everyone who swims at those meets is committed to divison one schools,” says Emily, “So it is very competitive.”

But it was a championship that wasn’t…

“At state championships there was a pad malfunction when I finished,” says Armen, “I had won the race to the visible eye. But they said that I had lost.”

…that became the driving force for Emily this season.

“Instead of crying and moaning about it. She persevered and had an incredible senior season,” says Charles, “One that, if she had gone on to high school states, she would have won by half a body length.”

Training harder than she ever has…

“I had a different outlook than I ever have since that. I have just kind of continued to drop time,” says Armen.

…producing results that landed her a spot with the University of Tennessee swim program next year.

“Stood out for their culture,” says Armen, “And their coaches really got to know me as a person.”

The Vols finished top 5 at the NCAA National Championships and Emily hopes to not only thrive individually but with the group.

“You score points as a team and you want to win the meet as a team,” says Armen, “I think that is going to be really fun.”

After narrowly missing the U.S. Olympic team trials this summer….

“.1 second in the 50,” says Emily.

Armen hopes to be a star in stripes at qualifying for the Los Angeles Summer Games in 2028.

“The next time that comes around, I’m hoping to make an impact there,” says Armen.

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