Men's Swimming

Date: 25.06.2010

Age: 70 days

BRISTOL, Tenn. - King College men's swimming head coach John Connor recently signed a pair of athletes as a part of his 2010 recruiting class with the addition of Taylor Horton and Blake Rutherford.

Horton (Conyers, Ga.) went to Joyce Jones Salem High School where he was a four-year letterman. He owns six individual Top-10 times in Salem program history and was a part of three relay squads on the list. Horton was a team captain this past season and was named the most valuable swimmer along with the coaches' award for leadership and dedication. He was qualified for three straight state championships after winning the 2007 rookie of the year honor.

Rutherford (Picayune, Miss.) was a part of Picayune Memorial High's swim squad for six seasons. He won the Mississippi High School South State Championship in the 100-yard freestyle and was a part of Picayune's 2006 state championship team. Rutherford was a captain this past season after serving as co-captain for the previous two seasons. In addition to swimming, Rutherford lettered with the football team in 2009. He also swam with the Mississippi Piranha Aquatic Club as a charter member and established numerous program records. With the club, he won 12 state championships and qualified for the maximum events for the state every year.

The Tornado finished seventh at the 2010 Appalachian Swimming Conference Championship in the provisional year as a NCAA Division II member.