Video: Jordan Taylor Interview
JEFFERSON CITY, TN – The Carson-Newman swim team will open their 2020-21 campaign with a home dual meet against Lees-McRae in the MSAC on Saturday, Oct. 31 at 1:00 p.m.
The Eagles will host the Bobcats of Lees-McRae for the third straight season with a chance to improve upon the program's imposing home record of 23-3 within the MSAC. The Bobcats come to Mossy Creek after having a successful weekend of competition against West Virginia Tech and Shawnee State, taking the overall win for the tri-meet. For the first three home meets, NO fans will be allowed inside the MSAC. Fans can watch a livestream of the meets via the SAC digital network via cneagles.com.
"Lees-McRae is much like Carson-Newman. They are a newer program who is constantly working on getting better" Taylor said. "Their head coach has done a fantastic job building talent and athletes across the board. They are smaller in number than what we have, but the athletes they do have bring a wide range of talent across every event and will be a good challenge to help us start our own season."
Jordan Taylor begins his sixth season as head coach of the Eagles alongside five returning swimmers that qualified for the NCAA DII National Championships last March before its cancellation due to COVID-19.
"I've told the team to not try and worry about comparing the last couple of years" Taylor said. "Worry about what we are doing now instead of the 'ifs' and 'buts' that we cannot control, especially during a year like we have experienced thus far."
Junior Matt George, senior CJ Jensen and sophomore Manon Compagner all return to Mossy Creek looking to improve upon their record-breaking performances last season. The Eagles had a total of nine swimmers qualify for 2020 NCAA DII National Championships in Geneva, Ohio, surpassing the program record of eight set by Taylor's 2019-20 team.
Carson-Newman will be without some of last year's top-performers in Caleb Howell, Paden Duke, and Mary Northcutt who all left their mark within Carson-Newman Swimming. All three finished their careers being named All-Americans, while Duke and Northcutt also finished up with the distinction of COSIDA All-District.
Other returners include senior Laurel Sankowski (Indian Trail, N.C.) who was part of the 200-yd medley relay team who got bronze at the 2020 BMC Championships, and junior Meredith Ginn (Ocala, Fla.) who notched a top-five finish in the 100-yd breaststroke at the Bluegrass Mountain Conference Championships last season.
On the men's side, juniors Hayden Williams (Sevierville, Tenn.) and Devon Collins (Knoxville, Tenn.) aim to improve upon their 2019 campaigns which saw Williams post some of his best career times with Collins placing his mark in various events for the Eagles.
"We have such a deep roster across the board, which I'm excited for" Taylor states. "Getting a chance to technically race ourselves this Saturday, but adding in Lees-McRae makes for more competition and an intense meet."
Be sure to keep up with the action throughout the season on all of Carson-Newman's social media platforms.
