HICKORY, N.C. – Junior swimmer Jacob Queen will be representing Lenoir-Rhyne on the national stage as he competes at the USA Swimming Nationals in Greensboro, N.C. Queen will be competing with the ultimate goal of making the cut for the Olympic trials.

Queen, who took part in this meet last season as well, will compete in the time trials for the 200-meter individual medley (Thursday) and 200-meter breaststroke (Saturday) to attempt to improve his times.

However, the biggest event of the weekend will take place on Friday where he will swim in the 100-meter breaststroke. Should he place in the top 24, he would qualify to swim again on Friday night. The 100-meter is his competition event for the weekend where he will be racing against some of the best swimmers in the nation.

"Last year, he did really well at this competition," said Head Coach Paul Schiffel. "He got his best times of the year at Nationals last year and we're hoping that happens again."

However, Schiffel is excited to get Queen and his program on a bigger stage.

"Having Jacob compete at the National level takes our program to another level. He will be in the same pool competing against Olympians and world record holders. Less than one-tenth of one percent of all the swimmers in America have the chance to make the Olympic team and Jacob has that."

For his part, Queen looks at this as a great opportunity.

"It's always an honor to compete against the best of the best," commented the junior. "It's always great to get Lenoir-Rhyne on a bigger stage and spread the word about our University and our team. I look forward to competing and hopefully I can take advantage of this opportunity."