Salmen senior swimmer Emilee Margiotta has signed a letter of intent to attend the University of Tampa next fall on an academic and swimming scholarship.

Margiotta, who has been swimming for the last six years, talked about why she decided on Tampa.

“When I visited, I really enjoyed the swim team. I liked the coach and the atmosphere,” she said.

Salmen senior swimmer Emilee Margiotta recently signed a letter of intent to attend the University of Tampa. She is seated and flanked by her parents Joe and Anne. Pictured standing in the second row, from left, are: Hurricanes Swim Club coach Ed Kelly, Emilee'€™s brother Ryan Poynter, Salmen swim coach Jean Pittman and Salmen athletic director Mike Leland. (Staff Photo by Chris Kinkaid)

Margiotta said she got started by joining a summer team in Tanglewood where she knew the coach, who also swam on the squad.

Some of her accomplishments in high school include being co-captain and co-Most Valuable Player all four years and state champion from 10th-12th grade. She holds Salmen records in the 50-yard freestyle (26.26 seconds) and 100 free (58.43), 100-butterfly (59.46) and 100 back (1:03.08). She was also part of school record relay teams, including the 200 medley (2:12.36), 200 free (1:56.65) and the 400 free (4:26.20).

The senior said she enjoyed her high school experience because it wasn’t always real competitive.

“It’s a lot more relaxed than year-round swimming,” Margiotta said. “It just lets you have fun. You’re around a lot of people you’re already friends with at school.”

Margiotta has also been swimming for the Hurricane Swim Team under coach Ed Kelly for the last eight years. With the Hurricanes, she is a Louisiana State Champion in the 100-yard butterfly, 200 fly and 200-meter fly, medley relay and freestyle relay.

Kelly praised the abilities of Margiotta and said Tampa is getting a good athlete.

“Emilee’s got a lot of talent,” Kelly said. “I think if she continues on the path where she should be, she could do very well for Tampa.”

Margiotta said Kelly taught her a lot about the aquatic sport.

“I’ve learned everything I know about swimming from coach from swim technique, to appreciate who you’re swimming with and swimming for the right reasons helps a lot,” Margiotta said.

Margiotta, who has been a member of the National Honor Society the last two years, is the daughter of Joe and Anne Margiotta of Slidell.