The Coastal Collegiate Swimming Association (CCSA) member institutions travel to Knoxville, Tenn., as fifteen schools will face off for the 2014 CCSA Swimming and Diving Championship. Action begins Wednesday, Feb. 19, at the Allan Jones Aquatics Center on the campus of the University of Tennessee, and will continue through Saturday, Feb. 22.
Florida Gulf Coast, under the direction of head coach Neal Studd, looks to capture its sixth consecutive women’s CCSA Championship title. The Lady Eagles will look to juniors Emma Svensson and Karen Vilorio, sophomore Lani Cabrera and freshman Kira Toussaint to set the pace for FGCU during the championships. In her first season, Toussaint has set Conference records in both the 100 and 200-yard backstroke, while Svensson will attempt to defend her championship meet titles in the 50-yard and 100-yard freestyle as well as the 100-yard backstroke.
Liberty enters the meet having been ranked as high as 13 in the mid-major polls this season. Coach Jake Schellenberger’s team is led by sophomore Jess Reinhardt who was the 2013 CCSA Women’s Freshman of the Meet and senior Emilie Kaufman who owns the top times this season in the 50, 100 and 200-yard breaststroke. Campbell, coming off of an 11-3 dual meet campaign, will look to Sarah Jabusch, while Davidson will be paced by Elise Lankiewicz who earned Swimmer of the Week honors on four occasions this season.
Davidson College, led by 2013 CCSA Coach of the Year John Young, enters the Championship as the men’s defending champion, and is looking for its fourth title in five years. The Wildcats are led by junior Dylan Ludick sophomore’s Cameron Bard, Luke Burton and Grant Smith as well as senior diver Brian McRae. McRae is looking to become a three-time all-conference performer on the 1-meter and 3-meter boards as is Ludwick in the 200, 500, 800 and 1650-yard freestyle.
The Wildcats will be challenged by conference newcomers Incarnate Word and UMBC, among others. Phillip Davis’ UIW squad has broken a number of Conference records in its first season. Senior’s Thiago Parravicini and Andrii Nikishenko have each broke Conference records in their first season. The Terriers have been strong on the diving board with senior Tim Perkins and junior Ryan Green having won multiple Diver of the Week awards. Gardner-Webb will turn to Luke Denman to take the reins for the Runnin’ Bulldogs.
The CCSA Championship gets underway on Wednesday, February 19 at 6:00pm. Events will begin daily at 10:00am for the duration on the championship. For live scoring, video streaming, ticket prices and other Championship information, please visit www.TheCCSA.com. Live updates will also be given via the CCSA twitter handle @TheCCSA.
