MILLIGAN, Tenn. – The Milligan University men's and women's swimming programs have announced their new student-athletes for the 2026-27 season, which begins on Friday. 
The men's squad welcomes three new swimmers, while the women have four new faces joining the team this season.

"Our freshman class has really come together well and bought into the team culture," said head coach Jamie Graves. "They bring a wide variety of strengths, both in and out of the pool. I have been very pleased by their commitment and improvement so far, and look forward to continuing to work with them."
 
The full recruiting class is below: 
 
2026 Recruiting Class
 
Men 
Brody Henning – Fr. – 5'8 – Nashville, Tenn. – Homelife Academy
Brody Henning is an addition to the Milligan men's swimming program and joins the Buffs as a true freshman from Nashville, Tenn. Henning previously attended Homelife Academy and was coached by Benji DeMotte. The son of Eric and Marci Henning plans to study Biology at Milligan.

Nathan Lindsey – Fr. – 5'10 – 145 lbs. – Summerville, S.C. – Ashley Ridge HS
Nathan Lindsey arrives at Milligan as a true freshman from Summerville, South Carolina, joining the Buffs' men's swimming program. He is the son of  Walter and Julie Lindsey and grew up alongside his three sisters Kate, Abby and Hannah. A homeschool graduate who competed for Ashley Ridge under head coach Victoria Merritt, Lindsey brings an impressive high school resume to Milligan, including being named the 2025 Men's Region 8 5A Swimmer of the Year, the 2026 Best of Prep Sports Male Swimmer of the Year, and an eight-time All-Region Champion (2023–2025). During his prep career with the Swamp Foxes, Lindsey set the Ashley Ridge school record in the 200 Freestyle (2024–2025) and earned 2025 SCHSL All-State honors after finishing as the SCHSL State Runner-up in the 500 Freestyle. Beyond his success in the pool, he excelled in the classroom as an SC Life Scholarship Qualifier. Lindsey plans to major in Psychology at Milligan.

Nathaniel Schmidt – Fr. – Augusta, Ga. – Grovetown HS
Nathaniel Schmidt comes to Milligan from Augusta, Ga. as a freshman after graduating from Grovetown HS. Mainly a butterfly specialist, he also competes in backstroke and individual medley events.

Women 
 
Calli Venzon – FR – 5'4 – Kingsport, Tenn. – Dobyns Bennett HS
Calli Venzon joins Milligan's women's swimming program from Dobyns-Bennett High School, where she was a decorated athlete both in the pool and in the classroom. She earned NISCA Academic All-America honors alongside all-conference accolades athletically. At Milligan, she plans to join the nursing program. Venzon is the daughter of Anthony and Lisa Venzon and has three siblings, Laila, Giana, and Jack.

London Droddy – FR – 5'8 – Mooresville, N.C. – North Hills Christian School
London Droddy joins Milligan's women's swimming program as a freshman for the 2026 season. Prior to Milligan, Droddy competed at North Hills Christian School under head coach Michelle Droddy, earning All-Conference honors. Academically, she was a member of the National Honor Society. Droddy plans to major in sport management at Milligan. She is the daughter of Scott and Michelle Droddy and has one sibling, Lincoln. Both of her parents, Scott and Michelle Droddy, competed collegiately or professionally.

Ava Rojas – FR – 5'4 – Houston, Texas – Clear Lake HS
Ava Rojas joins the Milligan women's swimming program as a freshman for the 2026 season. A native of Houston, Texas, Rojas prepped at Clear Lake High School under head coach Melissa Prince, where she competed as a Falcon, earned All-Region swimmer honors three times, and was a state finalist. Academically, she graduated Summa Cum Laude. The daughter of Camilo Rojas and Amy Slaughter comes from an athletic background, with her mother having swam at the collegiate level. She has four siblings Camilo, Alex, Jessica, and Ayden, and plans to major in Student Ministry.

Abigail Melinsky – FR – 5'7" – Jonesborough, Tenn. – Home Life Academy
Abigail Melinsky joins the Milligan women's swimming program in 2026. Prior to arriving at Milligan, Melinsky was an All-American under head coach Chris Corriago, posting times of 1:04.17 in the 100 backstroke, 2:22.35 in the 200 backstroke and 2:26.68 in the Individual Medley Relay. The Jonesborough, Tenn, native was also an Academic All-American and received a National Stars and Stripes award for her work in the classroom. She is the daughter of Richard and Kimberly Melinsky and has five siblings, Sarah, Elizabeth, Joshua, Andrew and Micah. While at Milligan, she will study political science and social work.