21 All-American Swims. Men’s Team 6-0 in Dual Meets. Men’s Team three first place finishes in Invitationals. Women’s Team 5-1 in Dual Meets. Women’s Team three second place finishes in Invitationals. Swim Team second place in Blue Grass Conference Finals. In Short-A Great Season.

This was the face of the 2003-2004 University of the Cumberlands swim team, but now the new-formed team must bound together to accept the challenge to do even better in the upcoming season. It will not be easy. Their mission – to win the NAIA National Title and remain undefeated in the 2004-05 season.

Their mission seems pretty simple when you break it down - considering they are returning two-time National Champion Christen Heideman and five veteran NAIA All-Americans in Heideman, Rebecca Shanks, Raven Maples, Tasha Perry and Duncan Mackie.

The women’s team kept their entire roster intact for this season, while the men only spared two to graduation - Jeremy Stephenson and Vito Wagner. Head coach Garry Nelson has not only added a bundle of promising recruits to the pool including Laurie Anderson, Sara Crooke, Lindsey Madsen, Steven Kostos (a High School All-American), Jimmy Baugh, Dustin Sansale and Luke Kountz, but a new assistant coach, Emily Sansale, as well.

“This should be the best season for both the men and women. We have had a great recruiting year and added much needed depth to our women’s team. We are looking to improve on last season,” notes Nelson. This season’s keen competition should come during the University of the South Invitational, the Transylvania Invitational and during dual meets with the University of the South, Fairmount State and Transylvania University.

Having dropped out of the Bluegrass Conference, the Patriots will focus their attention on the NAIA National Meet. With both teams exceptionally strong this year, the University of the Cumberlands men’s and women’s swim teams could bring home the national title. Keep an eye on the team as they look to make a huge splash this season beginning on October 15th at the University of Kentucky Relays.