Milligan swim team diving back into action

MILLIGAN COLLEGE, Tenn. (Oct. 4, 2019) – After finishing last season nationally ranked for both the men and women's teams, the Milligan College swimming teams are set to return to action on Saturday, Oct. 5, at the Emmanuel Invite in Franklin Springs, Georgia.

Last season recap

Before heading off to the NAIA Swimming and Diving National Championships, the Buffs placed second overall in the Appalachian Athletic Conference Championship only 22 points behind Union for the conference championship. Milligan sent 16 members to nationals, and had several All-American honors. Milligan finished last year's national championship No. 15 on the women's side and No. 17 on the men's side. The Buffs broke eight previous set Milligan swimming records last season.

Preparing for the upcoming season

First year coach Spencer Scarth intends to build off of the success the swim team had last year, and not only focus on the results in the pool, but the individuals he is helping form away from the sport.  Scarth says, "One of the major reasons I decided to come to Milligan was because the swimmers wanted to be challenged and get better, and they have stepped up in a big way already," he adds, "This team has done a complete 180 from where things were last year, both in terms of training and attitude. They've been pushed in a variety of new ways in the pool and in the weight room, and we're already seeing that pay off just five weeks into our season."

Scarth says that the team has been holding each other accountable this season to accomplish the goals they set into place at the beginning of the year. The team has adopted a "get-to" mentality Scarth says, which has changed the mindset and motivation overall for his team. "It's a much healthier mindset, and really makes a difference on your perspective on not just things that are happening in the pool or the weight room, but everything outside of that," Scarth adds.

Key returners and new faces

For the women the Buffs will be returning Maggie Halloran who finished last season with five All-American honors. "[Halloran] is someone who has the potential to have multiple top-three finishes if not higher at nationals," Scarth says. Milligan will also be returning junior Lindsey Grow who has been named team captain for the year. Grow currently holds three Milligan records in the 100 and 200 breaststroke and is a part of the 400 medley relay team that holds the school record.

Milligan newcomers, Reagan Fillinger and Rachel Scheffer, are expected to bring in times that will do well at conference and nationals Scarth says. He also adds, "The fact that the women's team is as talented as it is despite our lower roster number is a testament to their willingness to work and push each other, and not just rely on our fastest swimmers to do all of the work."

On the men's side Scarth has high expectations for them and their performance, "This is a group that can really push to be among the top in our conference and significantly higher at nationals," Scarth says. The men's team will be returning top swimmers Sterling Burnett and Matthew McFalls who made national championship appearances last year and hold several Milligan records. They will make impacts on relays and sprints and work to achieving multiple top-16 finishes at nationals.

Milligan newcomers include junior transfer Mitchell Martin, and freshmen Ed Lee, Grant Luckett, Ben Hawkins and Noah Bengtson who will be looked upon to make huge impacts as well, and add some flexibility in events. The Buffs have named Jarod Blazo as their men's captain, who Scarth says has done a tremendous job of making this team much more cohesive.

On the schedule

Milligan will have a competitive schedule this season, competing in several NCAA Division II meets and against competitive NAIA teams. The Buffs have 10 meets on the schedule before the conference championship with four being at home. They will be hosting an alumni meet on Saturday, Oct. 19, two home meets in the month of November against Lees-McRae on Nov. 2, and Randolph on Nov. 16, and the Milligan College Invitational on Saturday, Jan. 25. The AAC championships will be held Feb. 13-15, with the NAIA Swimming and Diving National Championships being held March 4-7.

"If both teams maintain the focus that they've had the first five weeks of practice, they both have the potential to be top-10. This would be huge for both programs, as this would be a gigantic leap for the men from 17^th, and would be a big leap for the women as well from 15th," Scarth adds. "They're set up very well for our opening meet at a strong D2 team in Emmanuel."