Nationally-ranked Eagles and Sharks set for showdown to open up 2019

Nationally-ranked Eagles and Sharks set for showdown to open up 2019

Video Stream

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Coach Jordan Taylor's gang will enter the pool for the first time in 2019 on Saturday, Jan. 5 when they visit Nova Southeastern in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Start time is slated for 12:00 p.m. at the Sharks outdoor facility at the NSU Aquatic Center.

The Nova Southeastern Aquatic Center is a state-of-the-art facility that boasts an Olympic size pool and diving well. Opened in the summer of 2008, it is comprised of two moveable bulkheads to create eight 50 50-meter lanes, 16 25-meter lanes, and 28 25-yard lanes.

C-N swimming returns to the pool for the first time since the University of Tennessee Invite in Knoxville, Tenn. from Nov. 29 – Dec. 1. Despite finishing last on both the men's and women's sides of the five Division I teams who competed, the Eagles broke a multitude of school records along with personal-best swims over the three days.

The meet against the Sharks marks the first of four this month for Taylor and his group who will also venture to Indianapolis, Ind. next week, followed by a return meet in Mossy Creek along with a trip to Bristol, Tenn.

All four meets lead up to C-N's Bluegrass Mountain Conference Championships slated for Feb. 6-9 in Charlotte, N.C.

In the most recent Division II team rankings by collegeswimming.com, both C-N programs leaped spots in national polls on Dec. 3.

Taylor's men jumped inside the top-10 to No. 7 after holding down the No. 11 spot in the Nov. 11 rankings release. The Eagles received 715.65 points to finish above Colorado Mesa (710.95), Northern Michigan (709.05), and Wingate (694.80) who all rounded out the top-10. The national ranking is the highest in program history since its inception in 2013.

After falling out of the top-25, the C-N women sit inside the top-15 in 14th receiving 655.05 points above Truman State at 649.75. The jump for the Eagles is 15 spots following its No. 29 placement last month as it dropped 11 spots.

Nova Southeastern's women's side ranks at No. 10 in the country with the men checking in at No. 18.

Follow along for further updates for swimming and all C-N Athletics at cneagles.com and on Twitter at @CNAthletics and @CNSwim.         

-CN-