Swimming tops King for second time this season

MILLIGAN, Tenn. (Jan. 29, 2021) – After an extended break during the changing of semesters, the Milligan University swimming team dove back into action Friday evening at Steve Lacy Fieldhouse for a head-to-head meet against King. Milligan defeated the Tornado in dominating fashion on both sides, 165-96 on the men's and 189-61 on the women's.

This marked the second time in two tries this season Milligan defeated King on both sides after the Buffs opened the season last October with similar wins over the Tornado.

"We had a strong showing against a good NCAA Division II school in King, who just knocked off Mars Hill and Lees McRae last week," Head Coach Spencer Scarth said. "This was our first meet since mid-November and we had a little bit of rust showing. We are in a little bit of a weird spot with just starting to taper for some while others are coming off of hard training, but we came together and achieved what we set out to do."

Milligan's women won 13 of 14 events, including all four relays and a handful of national marks. Tyler Cates (200 freestyle), Maggie Blazo (100 breaststroke), Kaylee Williams (100 breaststroke, 200 breaststroke) and Gabby MacPherson (50 freestyle, 400 freestyle) all earned national cuts. Freshman Hannah Wheatley just missed the mile B cut.

Stephen Gilbert (100 backstroke, 200 backstroke) and Aubin Dulin (100 breaststroke, 200 breaststroke) highlighted the men's side with a combined four national marks.

"I am really proud of the group of eight seniors that we honored tonight," Scarth added. "I cannot wait to see what this team achieves in just two short weeks in Kingsport."

The regular season is wrapped up for the Buffs, which means the championship portion of the season is on the schedule next. The Buffaloes head to the Appalachian Athletic Conference Championships in Kingsport, Tennessee, Feb. 11-13 and the NAIA National Championships in Knoxville, Tennessee, March 3-6.