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| University of the Cumberlands Men and Women's Swimming This past season was a record-breaking season for both the men and women’s swimming team. Both the men and women finished out the season with a 9-1 record. The team added many new records to the UC board and captured six Daktronics NAIA All-America Scholar-Athlete nods, five NAIA All-Americans were named and one NAIA National Champion title garnered, making for a great year. They truly have a new foundation to build on after such successes. "Losing nine seniors is never easy," said head coach Garry Nelson. When asked about his newest alumni Nelson commented, "This is my first class to graduate and they will be missed very much.” Some of the key losses for the women's team include Raven Maples ( Strawberry Plains, TN), the top sprinter for four years, Rebecca Shanks ( Kingsport, TN), the top backstroker and NAIA National Champion, and Tasha Perry ( Ocala, FL), UC’s 2005 NAIA National Champion. All three ladies are NAIA All-Americans and University record holders. "It will be hard to replace them," said Nelson. The men loose Duncan Mackie ( Dunnellon, FL), a team record holder and All-American, along with John Poorman ( Hoover, AL) who is a four-time national qualifier. The women’s team will be rebuilding this year with incoming freshmen Blaire Bachman ( Gainesville, GA), Carol Clayton ( Woodstock, GA), Jessica Harrison ( Kennesaw, GA) and Ashley Singer ( Ooltewah, TN). Nelson looks for several upperclassman to step into the leadership positions including two-time NAIA National Champion and team captain Christen Headmen (Tallahassee, FL), two-time University record holder Lindsay Madsen (Del Ray Beach, FL), and NAIA National scorers Laurie Anderson (Tullahoma, TN), Sara Crooke (Rutledge, TN) and Lane Royer (Knoxville, TN). For the men, team captain Ian Wentstrand ( Elizabethtown, KY), top backstroke and NAIA National scorer is expected to lead the way. Dustin Sansale ( Montgomery, IL) University record holder is also expected to show-off some leadership on the squad. Others that should contribute in key roles are Luke Kountz ( Ashland, KY), Noel Zvonar ( Jonesboro, GA) and Aaron McCormick ( Bellevue, NE). The team not having to go through the rebuilding process is just a plus for Nelson, "Retaining so many swimmers for 2005-06 means our swimmers are happy with the program." Nelson is looking forward to the upcoming season and like every season the team goal is the same - to be the NAIA National Champion. They came close in 2004-2005 finishing third and sixth but this year with a new determination they should put out the best performance possible. Look for the Pool Patriots as they start off their season on Oct. 15 th at the University of Kentucky Relays.
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