The University of the Cumberlands (UC) Patriots swim team traveled to Bowling Green, KY this past weekend to compete in the Western Kentucky University (WKU) Hilltopper Invitational. The meet consisted of prelim swims in the morning and in the evening swimmers who made top 16 raced in the finals. 

The University of the Cumberlands (UC) Patriots swim team traveled to Bowling Green, KY this past weekend to compete in the Western Kentucky University (WKU) Hilltopper Invitational. The meet consisted of prelim swims in the morning and in the evening swimmers who made top 16 raced in the finals.

The Patriots men's team competed against Division I teams, Western Kentucky University and University of Evansville. The Patriots women's team went up against  several Division I teams as well, University of Evansville, Western Kentucky University, Vanderbilt University, and University of Arkansas- Little Rock. Overall the men placed 3^rdwith a total of 861.5 points, and the women 5^thwith 291.5 points.

Top Swims for the Patriots included:

• JoeZach Johnson (Ashland, KY) – 100 Back (1st); 200 Back (2^nd)
• Brinkman (Commerce Township, MI) – 200 IM (3^rd); 400 IM (4^th); 200 Back (5^th)
• 2^ndplace - Men's 200 Free Relay (1:26.65) Jared McPherson, Sam Huntley, Zach Johnson, Wes Miller
• Melissa Peplinksi (Spokane, WA) – 50 Free (5^th);
• Wes Miller (Largo, FL) – 50 Free (5^th); 100 Back (2^nd); 100 Free (3^rd)
• 3^rdplace – Men's 400 Medley Relay (3:32.34) Wes Miller, Jake Wood, Sam Hoeferle, Sam Huntley
• 2^ndplace – Men's 200 Medley Relay (1:36.15) Zach Johnson, Jake, Sam Hoeferle, Wes Miller
• Jake Wood (Cicero, IN) – 100 Breast (5^th); 200 Breast (4^th)
• 3^rdplace – Men's 800 Free Relay (7:08.19) Wes Miller, Jimmy Hall,  Joe Brinkman, Sam Huntley
• Jimmy Hall (Barboursville, KY) – 200 IM (4^th); 100 Free (5^th)
• Josh Moore (Rineyville, KY) – 200 Breast (5^th)

"We had an excellent meet overall. We have several new national qualifiers and others who are on the cusp of punching a ticket to Oklahoma City," Patriot Head Coach Eric Skelly commented. "I couldn't be prouder of the athletes and my staff for what they have done so far. We have a lot more to accomplish but I feel we are on the right track"

Numerous national qualifications were achieved this past weekend. National qualifiers include: Joe Brinkman (200 IM, 400 IM), Callie Ethington (100 Fly), Allison Greenwell (200 Back), Jimmy Hall (200 IM, 100 Breast, 100 Free), Lizzy Horn (50 Free, 200 Back), Sam Huntley (100 Free, 200 Free, 500 Free), Zach Johnson (200 Back), Julia Maxie (100 Free), Jared McPherson (50 & 100 Free), Wes Miller (50 Free), Josh Moore (200 Breast), Melissa Peplinski (200 Free), Jake Wood (100 Breast).

The Patriots conclude their meet schedule for this fall and will look to improve their record and times for next term, as well as train for the ultimate test, the 2012 NAIA National Championships in Oklahoma City.

Article Provided by Erin Wenstrand, University of the Cumberlands Multimedia and Athletic Services Student Assistant