CHARLOTTE, N.C. (queensathletics.com) - Queens swimming's first season as a Division I program was one filled with many firsts, as the program seemingly transitioned with out a hitch, competing against and defeating many of the nation's top programs. After a strong regular season and a record-setting performance in the CCSA conference championships, head coach Jeff Dugdale packed the buses and headed for Elkhart, Indiana for the team's final challenge of the season, the National Invitational Championship.
As they have all season, the Royals made their impact on the three-day event by winning 15 events, breaking 14 meet records, and setting six new school records. By the time the event was over, the men's side came out on top of the rest, garnering 674 points en route to a first-place finish. The squad managed 112 more points than the next-best finisher, the University of Tennessee, who totaled 562 points to finish in second place.
"I appreciate my peers and their recognition of our swimmers' success" said head coach Jeff Dugdale. "I want to thank my staff, Jon Lau, Nic Eriksson, Bob Groseth, Kristina Bond and Kacy Rhyne. Our success is directly related to the time and efforts of all involved."
The Coastal Collegiate Sports Association (CCSA) is a progressive NCAA Division I conference dedicated to the enhancement of opportunities for students. The conference was founded in 2008 to provide a championship opportunity for Swimming and Diving student-athletes and extended that opportunity with the addition of Beach Volleyball in the summer of 2015. The league's footprint extends into several states: Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia. The CCSA is dedicated to the student-athletes who compete in its championships and their success in the classroom, in the field of competition, and life after graduation.