Culp, Howell, and Ungur power Eagles past Lions
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Saturday was senior day for Carson-Newman swimming who rode the high emotions en route to a 308-216 combined victory over the Emmanuel Lions at the MSAC Pool.
Video: Jon Lancaster Interview
Video: Jordan Taylor Interview
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Saturday was senior day for Carson-Newman swimming who rode the high emotions en route to a 308-216 combined victory over the Emmanuel Lions at the MSAC Pool thanks to multiple event wins from Elly Culp, Caleb Howell, and Andrei Ungur.
The No. 7 ranked men's side came away with a 145-117 win alongside the women's 163-99 total. Jordan Taylor's men's program has not lost at home since the school's very first meet in 2013.
The Eagles swim foursome of Ruth Hullette, Meredith Ginn, Elly Culp, and Lisa Postma notched the victory in the opening event of the afternoon in the 400-yard medley relay cracking a time of 4:03.90.
Culp recorded an individual win of her own in the 200-yard individual medley with a time of 2:13.81. The senior swimmer followed up with her third victory overall closing out C-N's final event win of the day in the 200-yard freestyle relay alongside Mary Northcutt, Postma, and Meredith Ginn finishing at 1:39.71.
"I was really excited for today and I think there were a lot of mixed emotions," Culp said. "We're really coming together as a family so that makes it enjoyable and exciting. Just seeing one person fall this season we wanted to pick them and get that momentum going. Now that we have had some really good training coming back from break, we're ready to hit it hard in the next few weeks."
Emmanuel bounced back to take the next three events which the men's side winning the 400-yard medley relay, following it up with victories in the men's and women's 1000 yard freestyle.
Sophomore Eagle Gabby Aguiar snapped the three-event streak in the 200-yard freestyle checking in at 1:57.64.
Freshman Andrei Ungur followed up with another C-N two events later in the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 50.92 seconds. Later in the day, Ungur added his second win in the same event at the 200-yard distance at 1:58.61 to break a school record.
Following the Lions 100 yard breaststroke win, C-N took the next five events with Mary Hannah Gaushell taking the 200-yard butterfly beginning it with a time of 2:12.87.
Matthew George followed with a victory in the same event with a time of 1:55.68. The freshman holds the program record in the event and two out of the top-five times.
Jonny Goss collected a win on senior day in the 50-yard freestyle at 21.20 seconds.
The Leiden, Holland native Postma earned a win in the 50-yard freestyle finishing the race in 24.78. The victory marks her fourth individual event win of the 2018-19 season.
The aforementioned Aguiar grabbed her second event win of the day with a 54.18-second finish in the 100-yard freestyle.
Freshman Meredith Ginn and Junior Caleb Howell built on their impressive campaigns as Ginn earned an individual event win in the 200-yard breaststroke with a finish at 2:29.51. Howell earned his team points with a victory in the same event. Five events later, the Easley, S.C. native earned a victory in the 200-yard individual medley for his team-leading 10th individual win of the year.
"Just knowing today was the last ever home meet here it was pretty emotional," Senior Jon Lancaster said. "We've all been here together for four years and all the friendships we've made are completely incredible. Hopefully, we all stay in touch afterward, I love them for sure."
C-N will hit the road next week and take on the King Tornado. Stay up to date with news on all Eagles Athletics at cneagles.com.
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