McCord signs first eight swimmers in C-N program history
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman swimming coach Paige Tindall McCord has signed the first eight student athletes in the history of C-N’s swim program. “These swimmers have a chance to make history at Carson-Newman,” McCord said. “The first time each swimmer gets in the water, they’ll be setting pool records here at the school.
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman swimming coach Paige Tindall McCord has signed the first eight student athletes in the history of C-N's swim program.
"These swimmers have a chance to make history at Carson-Newman," McCord said. "The first time each swimmer gets in the water, they'll be setting pool records here at the school.
"They will lay the foundation for years to come and for the future of both our men's and women's swimming programs."
Benjamin Young, Kent Eldreth, Sam Schecter, Natalie Burnet, Samantha Starnes, Mary Grace Arnold, Whitney Owen and Jeorgia Hicks make up McCord's early signing class.
Kent Eldreth comes to C-N from Halls High School where he was a 2012 state finalist in the 100 meter breast and 100 meter butterfly.
"Kent's enthusiasm for swimming is contagious," McCord said. "He has had tremendous success in his short swimming career. We are looking to continue his trajectory."
Eldreth was also recruited by Lindsey Wilson, Wingate and Union. He is the son of Jim and Julia Eldreth.
Sam Schecter attends Farragut High School where he has been on the swim team since 2010.
Schecter has swum year round with Atomic City Atomic Club since 2006 under the tutelage of coaches Mike Bowman and Betsey Hondorf. In the summer, he races for GKAISA.
"I look forward to working with Sam," McCord said. "He has proven talent and speed in the backstroke."
Schecter's top finishes include 22.59 in the 50 free, 49.53 in the 100 free and a 53.88 in the 100 back at the 2012 Southeastern Short Course Championships. Sam's parents are Chris Schechter and Ann Bowman. He has 3 younger brothers.
Benjamin Young is a former Carson-Newman soccer player who left the program in anticipation of being able to swim for the Eagles.
"His senior leadership and sprint speed will be vital in setting the standard of excellence in our new program," McCord said. "The experience Ben brings is crucial and his athletic ability is proven."
Natalie Burnett will join the women's team following her 2013 graduation from Sevier County High School. Burnett has been the Smoky Bears team captain since the 2011-12 season.
"Natalie is a driven athlete and has posted very fast times already," McCord said. "I look for Natalie to make an immediate impact on both our relays and individual events."
Burnett has helped SCHS to top four finishes in the state tournament in her first three years of high school swimming, with a third place finish her junior year.
She chose C-N for its Christian environment after being recruited by Marshall, Georgia Southern, Western Kentucky and Bowling Green.
A national honor society student, Natalie is the daughter of Sam and Cristen Burnett.
Samantha Starnes is a Knoxville, Tenn.-native who swims the 50, 100, and 200-meter free for Bearden High School. Starnes is the 2012 Knoxville city champion in the 100 free, and All-American in the 400 free relay and a four-time qualifier for the state meet.
"Samantha brings a lot of energy and excitement to our squad," McCord said. "She is very coachable and will be a strong sprinter for the Eagles."
The Bulldogs were the top finishing public school at the state meet each of the last three years. Starnes is the daughter of Shana and Brian. She has swimming in her blood; her father swam for the University of Richmond.
Starnes is a member of the National Junior Honor Society and the National Art Honor Society. She plans to major in nursing at C-N.
Mary Grace Arnold, a native of Chattanooga, Tenn., 2013 Girls Preparatory School graduate, has been swimming for nearly 13 years. She took to the water when she was just five years old – swimming for Martha Bass at the Chattanooga Golf and Country Club.
"Mary Grace has a stellar swimming background and has strong ability in the pool," McCord said. "She will be crucial for us in the role of the leader out of the pool and in the IM events in it."
Arnold currently swims for McCallie-GPS Aquatics and the GPS varsity swim team. Arnold is the daughter of Mark and Mary Arnold; she has a younger sister Emily.
Whitney Owen, much like Starnes, swims for Knoxville's Bearden High School. Owen too has garnered all-American status swimming for the Bulldogs and has been a state finalist.
"She is an incredibly versatile swimmer," McCord said. "She has the ability to be a top sprinter, as well as provide depth for us across the board."
Owens participated in the National Honor Society and Girls State in high school. Her parents Ken Owen and Sandra Owen have raised a family of swimmers. Whitney's brother Hunter swims for Centre College, while brothers Brent and Landon both swim at the University of Tennessee.
Jeorgia Hicks is McCord's final signee from the early signing period. An Apison, Tenn.-native, Hicks will graduate from Silverdale Baptist Academy this spring. In addition to swimming, Hicks is a level eight gymnast team captain.
"She is very well rounded and athletic," McCord said. "Jeorgia will be a critical asset on our team in the relays."
Hicks is the daughter of Joanna and Charles Poindexter.
Carson-Newman begins its inaugural season of swimming in the fall of 2013.
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