VIDEO | Kirk Sanocki interview

Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University women's and men's swimming teams will face local rival Queens University of Charlotte in a Bluegrass Mountain Conference dual meet Friday and Saturday. The Bulldog women will host the Royals Friday at the Wingate Natatorium (live video). The first event is slated to begin at 5 p.m.
 
On Saturday, the Wingate men travel to Charlotte to face Queens at the Levine Center. The first event will start at 1 p.m. The Bulldogs earned a BMC dual meet sweep over host Carson-Newman Saturday. The WU men rallied for a 158-157 victory, thanks to a 1-2-3 finish in the 400 Individual Medley. The Bulldog women claimed a 175-140 triumph.
 
Meet Information
Queens vs. Wingate dual meet
WOMEN: Wingate University Natatorium, Wingate, N.C., Friday, Nov. 20 (5 p.m.) (live video)
MEN: Levine Center, Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 21 (1 p.m.) (live video)
 
Looking Back at the Last WU-QUC Dual Meet
 
MEN (Oct. 25, 2019 in Wingate): Queens earned a hard-fought 149-113 BMC victory. For Wingate, Iran Almeida (50 Freestyle), David Granados Doblas (200 Backstroke) and Academic All-America Giacomo Viazzo (200 Breaststroke) claimed individual wins. Granados Doblas set a new pool record with his triumphant 200 Backstroke time of 1:50.49.
 
WOMEN (Oct. 26, 2019 in Charlotte): The Royals claimed a 161-101 dual meet win. For the Bulldogs, Anna Miram won the 100 and the 200 Backstroke events. She earned NCAA "B" cuts in both victories. Anne-Sofie Nissen picked up the gold medal in the 200 Breaststroke. She finished second in the 100 Breaststroke.
 
Meet Notes
- Due to state regulations, fans will not be allowed at Wingate's home meets this semester.
- Queens is the five-time defending national champion on both the women's and the men's side.
- The WU women finished second at the 2016 NCAAs; the 'Dogs have placed third twice.
- The Bulldogs have one fifth-place NCAA showing and five sixth-place finishes.
- The Royals and the Bulldogs finished 1-2 in both BMC meets last year.
- Wingate has 11 BMC titles (seven men's championships and four women's crowns).
- WU head coach Kirk Sanocki's daughter Lily swims for the Bulldogs, while his son Carson swims for Queens.
 
What They Are Saying
 
Wingate head coach Kirk Sanocki:
 
We have much respect for Queens Swimming. They are the five-time defending conference and national champions on both sides. Every year we have competed against them, we have improved our top times. We are proud of this…but in the end, we want to win. On Friday and Saturday, I know we will be ready to put everything on the line.
 
Wingate junior Kate Agger:
 
Preseason looked much different this year because of Covid-19 and its restrictions. When we began our training early in the season, the coaches had to restructure practice, making it very difficult to train as a team. Since there were limitations on the number of swimmers that could be in the pool at one time, practice times were cut short and we could not be together with our respective training groups…much of the work was put directly on the individual. It was certainly tough getting back into the groove, but our team worked harder than ever and did what we had to do to ensure we would be in top shape to compete this season.
 
We kicked off our 2020-21 season last Saturday at Carson-Newman with a huge win. Both the men's and women's teams competed vigorously as if it was a championship meet. While it was a close meet, the Bulldogs persevered and claimed the win, ending a long-time home winning streak for both the Eagle men and women. The feeling of being back in the pool competing was electrifying and it resonated throughout our entire team. As our coaches continually tell us, we need to treat every meet as if it could be our last since we do not know what will happen down the road.
 
Sometimes when faced with adversity, we must embrace it and use it to gain strength. When we do this, we realize that we can accomplish things we never thought possible. I have worked exceedingly hard this season, and as a result, I have never felt better in the water so early in the season. If we are fortunate to have a full, uninterrupted season, I truly believe this could be the Bulldogs' season to make a run for the conference title. I have complete confidence in my fellow Bulldogs and their ability to swim fast!
 
Securing such a big win against Carson-Newman last week has helped to motivate the team as we prepare for a key meet this Friday against our number one rival, Queens. The comradery between these two teams always makes this a fun meet as the swimmers on both sides push each other to perform to their best abilities. Typically, you can expect to see a lot of fast swims with these two teams. The Bulldogs are mentally and physically ready to take on the Bluegrass Mountain Conference champs!
 
Wingate sophomore Daniel Mizera:
 
Although our preseason wasn't ideal, I think we have done a good job of controlling and utilizing what we could, enabling us to get back into full practice schedule rather quickly.
 
The Carson-Newman meet only underlined the resiliency of our team. It has been a long period without competition for all of us. A win, especially after trailing for the most part of the meet, was really emotional for us and helped us create momentum. We hope to ride this momentum into our Saturday meet at Queens.
 
Personally, this season is different for me. Since I am a first-time returner, I already have an idea how the season goes. During my time at Wingate, I have learned a lot about racing and putting everything on the line for the team. Looking forward, I feel confident about the incoming season as I have been able to adjust to the American system of practicing and racing on yards, enabling me now to start focusing more on the details. The goal for the season is clear…producing the best possible result at the NCAAs no matter what comes our way.
 
WINGATE UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a laboratory of difference-making that serves more than 3,600 students in North Carolina. Wingate offers 36 undergraduate majors as well as six master's and four doctoral programs. The University is home to the Cannon College of Arts and Sciences; the Levine College of Health Sciences; the Byrum School of Business; and the College of Professional Studies, which includes the Thayer School of Education and the School of Sport Sciences.
 
Wingate is the leading healthcare education provider in western North Carolina, and nearly one in five Wingate undergraduate students is preparing to be a pharmacist, physician assistant, physical therapist, occupational therapist or nurse. Athletes on Wingate's 23 teams compete in NCAA Division II and have brought home the South Atlantic Conference Echols Athletic Excellence Award for 13 years straight. The University's motto is "Faith, Knowledge, Service." View current news and videos at www.wingate.edu.