Swimming 06-07 Wrap-Up
Finishing fifth in the NAIA National tournament, the Patriots concluded one of the most successful seasons in Cumberlands history. During the regular season, the men had an outstanding 10-0 dual record with three championship titles and one runner-up finish. The ladies finished the season with an 8-2 record, one gold, two silver, and one fourth place finishes at swimming invites.
During the NAIA national tournament, the Patriots competed with Cumberlands’ largest squad ever, fourteen men and eight women. Laurie Skaggs, Trevor Lowe, Ian Wenstrand, and the ladies 200 freestyle relay each set team records at the meet. The Patriots also returned home with three All-Americans including Trevor Lowe, Alex Robertson, and Andrzej Lenard, and twenty-five All-American Honorable Mention awards. With one of the highest grade point averages of campus activities, seven Patriots were named Academic All-Americans.
Coach Garry Nelson also received top honors at the NAIA national tournament. Earning Female Coach of the Year for the NAIA, Nelson also plans to serve as the new President of the NAIA Swimming Coaches Association for 2007-2008. Nelson has previously served as the Secretary and Vice President over the course of the past two years. Former Patriot, first year Assistant Coach Tasha Perry, is a former NAIA National Champion and has served as a positive role model for the Patriot squad.
Though the Patriots are losing only four seniors to graduation, Ian Wenstrand, Aaron McCormick, Megan Wakeley, and Lane Royer, they are gaining several talented athletes to fill the positions. Several underclassmen are expected to step up and serve as great role models for the younger athletes.
Striving to expand the Patriots’ horizon, they have added four new teams to the fall schedule. The Patriots continuing goal, to grow as athletes and as a program, will remain in focus over the course of the 2007-2008 season.
