The University of the Cumberlands Patriots Swim Team has had a very successful season this year. With the help of the large freshman class and the experienced upperclassman the Patriots had a great regular season including the chance to compete in several NCAA D-I competitions where they were able to step up to the competition level. This year the Patriots broke 32 team records, with 22 of them coming from Nationals.
The Patriots closed the 2008 – 2009 seasons in St. Louis, MO on March 4-7, 2009 where they competed in the biggest and fastest NAIA National Swimming and Diving Championships in history. During the three day meet, Tess Antesberger won her first two National titles as a freshman in the 100 and 200 yard breaststroke while Rebecca Cronkwright, Meredith Dement, and Brittany Estep all won second place in their events, earning All-American Status. The Patriot women set 11 team records and finished in 5 th place overall with total score of 314.5 team points. On the men’s side, Patriot swimmer, Jorge Ospina won all three of his individual events and set a new NAIA national record in the 200 Yard Freestyle that has been held since 1991. Ospina was also named the Male NAIA National Swimmer of the Year. The men finished in 8 th place overall with a total score of 258 points.
Alex Robertson, Cindy Keiser, Carol Clayton, and Andrzej Lenard received NAIA Academic – All American status while Ben Clayton and Audrey Hess were selected to represent Cumberlands by the NAIA as Champions of Character. The NAIA awarded All-American honors to the top three swimmers at Nationals and Honorable Mention for fourth through sixth place. However, the College Swim Coaches Association issued All-American status to the top four swimmers at Nationals and Honorable Mention awards for fifth through eighth places.
Those earning All-American swims included Rebecca Cronkwright 100 and 200 back, Meredith Dement 100 free, Brittany Estep 200 breast, Tess Antesberger 100 and 200 breast, Jorge Ospina 200 and 500 free and 200 fly, and the Women’s 400 MR of Cronkwright, Antesberger, Clayton, Dement.
University of the Cumberlands Head Coach Garry Nelson said, “Our team has done a great job this season. We have had a very successful recruiting year and we should be just as strong for next season and seasons to come. I would also like to thank our seniors for their leadership; they will all be missed. Special thanks to Will Rechsteiner, Eddie Von Hertsenberg (team captain), Carol Clayton and Staci Barada who all swam on the national team all four years. On a personal note, I would also like to thank our assistant coach Tasha Perry who has served as my GA for the last three years, Tasha has done a great job and we wish her luck in the next phase of her life and coaching career. Our team has achieved a great deal of success with the help of Tasha every step of the way.”
Individual National Champions, broken records, and top ten finishes are great, but look for the Patriot swimmers to improve even upon that in 2009-2010 as they look to bring home the coveted team National Championship.
