RADFORD, Va. – The Radford Swimming and Diving team will begin their season by hosting CCSA opponents, Liberty and North Carolina A&T, Friday in the Dedmon Center Natatorium at 5 p.m.

While both Radford and North Carolina A&T are opening its 2010-11 season, Liberty which is in its first year of existence, fell to Campbell Saturday, 111 to 94.

Excitement is in store for the 2010-11 Radford Swimming program with 15 returners and 12 newcomers. “We have a great recruiting class,” fourth-year head coach, Randy Jarman said. “We first noticed that right at the first practice. They are improving heavily and the upperclassman are fighting for their spots, which is making practices fun and more exciting everyday.”

Radford's top returner, sophomore Emily Turner, had a breakout season last year. The team leaned on her heavily, but this year she has a lot more of a supporting cast. “She has been leading in practice, she doesn't back away from any set and she brings it every day,” commented Jarman. “The way she leads in the water is phenomenal and it's contagious.”

Turner swam 11 events as a freshman for the Highlanders last season. She placed first six different times with a personal best in the 100 yard breaststroke (1:10.64) against Randolph Macon.

In just her first season in the pool, nine of Turner's finishes cracked Radford's record books, including a top-three finish in the 200-yard individual medley, 2:11.22 at the CCSA Championship.

Last season, the Highlanders finished with an overall record of 3-10 and recorded a ninth place finish at the CCSA Championship. Out of the pool, the squad epitomizes what a “student-athlete” really is, with 12 members being named to the 2010 CCSA All-Academic Team.