JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman's Women's Swimming squad ranked 17th in the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Division II Top 25 poll this Saturday, Nov. 15th.
The Eagles fell back three spots from 14th in the October poll to 17th in the November CSCAA Top-25 poll. The women's squad earned a total of 83 points from the selection committee. The team currently sits at 4-1 going into the midseason meet at the Gamecock Invitational held Wednesday, Nov. 20 - Friday, Nov. 22nd. The purpose of the CSCAA top 25 poll is not to make predictions about end of season standings in the 2025 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships scheduled for March 11th-15th in Indianapolis, Ind. The poll is meant to provide a preseason overview of all Division II swimming programs.
"I think a lot of that is going to change after the midseason meets and Invitationals finish up," said head coach Ben Young. "For the women, being inside that top-25 is nice to see. It shows the amount of talent that we really do have on the women's side that is hidden because of youthfulness."
Carson-Newman was joined by fellow SAC school Wingate in the CSCAA rankings. Wingate earned a total of 189 points from the committee slotting them 7th overall. Catawba jumped up from 21st to 13th with a score of 121.
With a competitive field entering midseason, Ben Young stressed the importance of a strong start to remain ranked in the top-25.
"Swimming fast early has set the women apart from other teams," Young said. "You look across the board on our women's side and a lot of the ones that were expected to swim fast early have done that very well. Then there are the unexpected freshmen that are swimming really well which helps that ranking."
The Eagles men's squad are on the outside looking in on the CSCAA Top-25 poll but are receiving votes putting them at 28th overall.
"The fact that the men's side are receiving votes is good, but I think after midseason we're going to potentially move up in the polls and show where that depth really lies," said Young.
Despite the importance placed on national ranking, Young makes a point to keep his team focused on the goals that lie ahead.
"The ranking is important but at the end of the day it is getting people invited based on provisional time standards and based on placing and national ranking," said Young. "It's nice to see and it's fantastic when it comes to recruiting but it's a great motivational tool. This is the first time the men have been out of the top-25 in a while so it's hung up in their locker room. It's not the end of the world but it's definitely something to work towards."
Carson-Newman is coming off of a long stretch of meets before getting a week to prepare for the Gamecock Invitational in Columbia, S.C. beginning on Wednesday, Nov. 20th - Friday, Nov. 22nd.
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CSCAA Top-25 Poll HERE.