Three Miami Divers Qualify for NCAA Championships
AUBURN, Ala. – Three University of Miami divers – junior Briadam Herrera, junior Wally Layland and sophomore Marcela Marić – turned in impressive performances Tuesday night at Zone B qualifiers to punch their tickets to the 2017 NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships.
For the second consecutive day, Herrera was the top finisher on the men’s side.
Herrera, who dominated the 1-meter Monday night with a score of 830.15, delivered another eye-opening performance with a career-best score of 894.25 to breeze his way to the top finish in the 3-meter at the Martin Aquatics Center on the Auburn University campus.
Herrera will compete in both the 1-meter and 3-meter events at the NCAA Championships from March 22-25 in Indianapolis, Ind.
“This performance sets him up and gives him a lot of confidence going into NCAAs,” head diving coach Randy Ableman said. “He’s diving at the top of his game right now.”
Not to be outdone, Marić rebounded from her performance in the 3-meter Monday night to earn her first career trip with a second-place finish in the 1-meter. Marić, who represented Croatia at last summer’s Olympic Games in Rio, finished with a score of 574.85
“We had a great day today,” Ableman said. “Marcela was second in the 1-meter, which was a great comeback from a disappointing day yesterday. That’s fantastic. It’s the first time she’s going to the NCAAs, and I’m excited to watch her compete.”
Layland, who won the 3-meter Monday to clinch her trip to the championships, will compete in a second event afer taking eighth in the 1-meter (559.05). Both will take part in the NCAA Women’s Championships, set for March 15-18 in Indianapolis.
“Wally was extremely steady and I’m very proud of both her and Marcela,” Ableman said. “To watch Wally compete in two events is going to be a lot of fun, and I know she’ll be up for the challenge.”
Redshirt freshman David Dinsmore will compete in the platform event on Wednesday from the Martin Aquatics Center, looking to become the fourth diver and the fifth Hurricane to qualify for the NCAA Championships. Dinsmore won the ACC platform gold this spring, and is looking to build on that performance Wednesday.
“I know David will be ready,” Ableman said. “We’re hoping he can wrap up what has been a great week for Miami Hurricanes diving.”
