Out of water and into college

Bluffton Today

Milligan College, Tenn. (Apr. 7, 2008) --- There's something to be said about legacies, and Daniel Jones (Bluffton, S.C.) is familiar with both extending and starting them. The Bluffton High School senior inked his letter-of-intent on Friday to swim for Milligan College. In doing so, Jones becomes another in a long line of Joneses, going as far back as great aunts and uncles, to attend the Christian liberal arts college in Elizabethton, Tenn.

He also becomes the first BHS swimmer to sign on to swim for a collegiate program. At Milligan, he'll swim as the team's primary breaststroker. Jones seemed to come of age this season, especially during the state meet, said Bluffton head coach Eric Kemeny.

“He's a very positive influence and a hard worker,” Kemeny said. “He picked it up at the state meet and displayed plenty of leadership.” The Bluffton senior swam a personal best 1:09.35 at this year's state meet in the 100yard breaststroke, beating his previous top time by more than three seconds. He also took close to four seconds off his personal best time in the 200-yard individual medley at the state meet. His dedication both in the water and out of it earned him the team's Bobcat Award and GPA award.

Jones will join a Buffaloes' squad in just its second year as a team in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics' Appalachian Athletic Conference. In its inaugural year, the team had only 10 female and four male swimmers.

“He'll be a big help in building our program,” said Milligan swim coach Ron Goehring.

Jones becomes the fourth signee this off-season, according to the team's Web site. Finding his way around the 142-year-old campus near the Tennessee - North Carolina border shouldn't be difficult. His brother Aaron is among the 840 students who attend the college. So, too, did his aunt and uncle and great aunt and great uncle. The school wasn't too far away from home but was far enough to get the true college experience, Jones said. Combine the opportunity to go to school with his brother as well as being an integral part of Milligan's fledgling swim program and now we're talking legacy.