Five Divers Qualify for NCAA Championships
GREENSBORO, N.C. — Five Miami Hurricane divers qualified for the 2014 NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships after a spectacular run through the first two days of Zone B Regional Qualifying at the Greensboro Aquatic Center.
Two more Hurricanes – reigning ACC Women’s Diver of the Year Kara McCormack and sophomore Tanner Wilfong – will look to make it seven during Wednesday’s platform events.
“I think each of our athletes are diving their best right now,” head coach Randy Ableman said. “It’s a great feeling to see them competing so well.”
Redshirt junior Thea Vock captured first place in the 1-meter finals Monday to punch her ticket to NCAA’s. Vock, who missed the 2012-13 season while recovering from surgery, finished with 627.60 points to earn first place.
She will look to repeat her success from her last postseason trip (2011-12), where she earned Honorable Mention All-America recognition.
“After being out last year with two shoulder surgeries, Thea hit every single dive,” Ableman said. “I’m so proud of her.”
Redshirt junior Sam Dorman delivered Miami’s second top finish Tuesday afternoon. The Tempe, Ariz., native beat out Olympic medalist Nick McCrory of Duke for first place in the 3-meter with a score of 808.10 to book his own ticket to Minneapolis, Minn., and the 2014 NCAA Championships.
“After not diving his best Monday, Sam brought his “A” game today by winning the 1-meter,” Ableman said. “And he even beat an Olympic medalist to get there.”
Cheyenne Cousineau, Lindsay Lester and Zac Nees each qualified with impressive performances of their own. Cousineau and Lester delivered strong showings in the 3-meter springboard, capturing fourth (669.45) and fifth (668.35), respectively.
Nees finished just behind Dorman and McCrory for third place in the 1-meter Tuesday, ending the event with 745.85 points.
“Cheyenne and Lindsay qualified with their best springboard performances of the season,” Ableman said. “Zac has been very consistent in both the 1-meter and 3-meter. He is starting to peak at just the right time.”
If McCormack and Wilfong qualify Wednesday, it will mark the first time in the Miami diving program’s illustrious history where seven divers will qualify for the postseason.
“We need to keep it rolling,” Ableman said. “We have a big day tomorrow. Then it’s off to the NCAA Championships!”
The NCAA Zone B Diving Championships conclude Wednesday, March 12 with the men’s and women’s platform diving competitions. Live results will be available on http://www.divemeets.org.
