Video: Jordan Taylor Interview
JEFFERSON CITY, TN – The Carson-Newman swim team will look to start the 2020-21 campaign off strong when they host the Buffaloes of Milligan University on Saturday, Nov. 7 at 1:00 p.m.
For the first three home meets, NO fans will be allowed inside the MSAC.
The Eagles will host the Buffaloes for the first time since the Eagles' inaugural season of 2013-14. Milligan comes into this weekend after a strong team performance at the King Invitational in Kingsport, Tenn. last month. At the event, the men's team were victors in a field of three teams (Milligan, Lees-McRae, and King) while the women finished runner-up out of four teams (Milligan, Lees-McRae, King, and Converse), only losing to Lees-McRae by a mere 24 points. The Buffaloes picked up nine NAIA national cuts and broke three program records at the event.
"Milligan is a local team. We've raced them at home many years ago but have seen them at their place in recent years." Taylor said. "A little bit smaller, but we are grateful that we can see them in action on Saturday and start outside competition."
Carson-Newman Swimming head coach Jordan Taylor will begin his sixth season at the helm for the Eagles. Joining Taylor's staff this year are new assistant coach Evan Pinion, new assistant coach and former Carson-Newman All-American swimmer Ben Young, and the program's two new graduate assistants in Ashton Smith and Sara Duarte Garcia.
"I've told our team to just go out there and perform to their best standard. I don't want them looking to smash any records or to be focused on garnerning national attention." Taylor said. "The message to the team so far this season has stayed the same: control what is in front of you and take every opportunity possible to be better."
Carson-Newman held an intrasquad competition last Saturday, giving the Eagles an opportunity to put their hard work and training of the season into motion. The Eagles are coming off a season which saw a total of nine Eagles qualify for 2020 NCAA DII National Championships in Geneva, Ohio, surpassing the program record of eight set by Taylor's 2018-19 team.
The Eagles have some strong returners leading the charge this season. On the men's side, juniors Matthew George (Manchester, England) and Kodee Eads (Johnson City, Tenn.) return to lead the charge and path to another top-5 BMC finish. On the women's side, seniors CJ Jensen (Copenhagen, Denmark) and Laurel Sankowski (Indian Trail, N.C.) will look to keep up their own success in hopes of leading the Eagles to another strong Conference and (hopefully) Nationals presence.
Carson-Newman will look to this weekend to kickstart the 2020 campaign and defend home water. Since Carson-Newman Swimming's inception (2013-14), the Eagles hold an imposing 23-2 record in home dual meets, including a total team win over Milligan during the inaugural 2013-14 season (Women: 159-37; Men: 136-36).
Other returners on the women's side include sophomore Manon Compagner (Balkburg, Netherlands) who holds the second fastest 100-yd freestyle time in C-N program history and junior Meredith Ginn (Ocala, Fla.) who set a lifetime best last season in the 200-yard IM with a time of 2:03.43. On the men's side, juniors Joey Clemmer (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) and Devon Collins (Knoxville, Tenn.) aim to improve upon their 2019 campaigns which saw Clemmer post a lifetime best in the 200-yd breaststroke and Collins helping the Eagles in various events.
"It was kinda disappointing that we didn't get to compete last Saturday." Taylor stated. "Our goal is to move forward and see progression. Some of the team has not seen competition in over a year, so getting to see outside competition on Saturday will push them to get back to the high level. I'm truly looking forward to seeing how our team will continue to progress throughout this season, all starting with Saturday."
Be sure to catch the Eagles in action this Saturday starting at 1pm against the Milligan University Buffaloes via cneagles.com/live.
