Eagles with one final opportunity to punch ticket to nationals

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Carson-Newman swim will return to the pool this weekend for its annual Last Chance meet as the Eagles will make the trip back to the University of Tennessee for the second time this season.

The Last Chance meet provides one final opportunity for swimmers to collect a national qualifying mark in events prior to the National Championships in March.  

For the women's athletes, the top-26 times throughout the season in each individual event garner a place at nationals. On the men's side, the top-21 times provide the trip to one of the biggest stages in swimming.

With relay teams, at least one swimmer has to qualify for an individual event for the group to earn a spot at nationals.

The meet comes a week after the four-day Bluegrass Mountain Conference Championships in which 13 Eagles collected at least one All-BMC swim.

"It was a little bit of a mixed bag during those four days, but overall we had done well," Coach Jordan Taylor mentioned. "There are athletes going into this weekend with a bit of momentum but some were a little flatter at conference so they'll get a chance to improve. Sometimes it's hit or miss with the quick turn around."

Originally, the team was scheduled to head to Charlotte, N.C. for the last chance meet but the team was invited back by the Volunteers giving them the opportunity to be closer to home.

"We've ran into some injuries but Caleb Howell did a fantastic job filling in on the relays," Taylor said. "The relay was off by .4 seconds last week for the qualifying mark and there are a few individuals who have to shave off a few second on their time but we have a lot of opportunities. Qualifying for relays is great but for individuals is always a harder task and always means more to the athletes."

Multiple swimmers for C-N already have qualifying times but will swim again this weekend hoping to keep their positions as the team won't find out till Tuesday who qualified.

This weekend's meet will take place over a two-day period on Saturday and Sunday at the Allan Jones Aquatic Center.

"We have found this meet to be helpful in years prior," Taylor added. "This year we will be racing D1 schools we will be push and will have a lot of competition. It will be a big atmosphere there and I think it will be perfect for our swimmers."

-CN-