Ross Honorable Mention All-America on 3-Meter Board
March 27, 2010
Indianapolis, Ind. – University of Miami male diver Reuben Ross officially participated in his final 3-meter event, and the last event of his Miami career, on Saturday evening, taking second place (447.20 pts.) in the consolation finals and earning Honorable Mention All-America honors on the 3-meter springboard at the NCAA Men’s Swimming and Diving Championships in Columbus, Ohio. This year’s championships are taking place at the Bill and Mae McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion on the campus of Ohio State University.
A day after accepting his seventh career All-American honor at UM, and finishing fifth in his last 1-meter springboard event, Ross failed to advance to the finals of the 3-meter springboard for the first time in his Miami career. However, he did collect a second place finish in the consolation finals.
The Regina, Saskatchewan (Canada) native, and 2008 NCAA Champion, stepped onto the 3-meter springboard for the last time in his storied UM career Saturday evening, participating in his last official event as a Miami Hurricane.
Ross began the last six dives of his career as a Hurricane with a score of 72.00 via turning in a Back 2 1/2 Somersault Pike. That was followed by a Forward 3 1/2 Somersault Pike.
The next set of dives got Ross back into the top three with a score of 70.95 on his third dive, as he landed a Reverse 2 1/2 Somersault 1 1/2 Twist Pike. His next dive, a Reverse 3 1/2 Somersault Tuck, landed him a score of 73.50 from the judges, pushing him back into third place – while he stood in fourth after the first three dives.
The last two dives of Ross’ career would end up being special, as the seven-time All-American performer began the set with an Inward 3 1/2 Somersault Tuck, scoring him a judges’ score of 85.00 – the highest score for Ross in the NCAA Championships. That dive was followed by a Back 2 1/2 Somersault 1 1/2 Twist Pike, scoring him a final dive score of 77.55.
The first place finisher for the consolation finals was Constantin Blaha of Arizona State, finishing with a score of 457.05. Third place went to Gregory Destephen of Missouri (433.65).
In the finals of the 3-meter event, Purdue’s David Boudia continued his assault on the 1- and 3-meter boards, picking up first place honors with a score of 494.90. Duke’s Nick McCrory was second (459.15), and Texas A&M’s Grant Nel was third (450.50).
Ross did not compete on the 10-meter platform this year, and he didn’t take part in a platform event all season, despite finishing as an All-America performer last year in College Station, Texas.
The NCAA Men’s Swimming & Diving Championships will continue through Sun., Mar. 28.
For more information on the NCAA Men’s Swimming and Diving Championships, please locate your internet browser to http://www.ncaa.com/sports/m-swim/champpage/m-swim-div1-index.html. Once there, you will find live scoring, results and information pertaining to this year’s championships.
