Watson Sweeps Boards

PROVO, Utah – At the last competition before MPSF championships, the BYU divers shone against the divers of Stanford Friday afternoon in the Richards Building pool.

“We did good stuff overall and we were in the game,” said BYU head dive coach Keith Russell. “That’s what’s most important to me, to be in the game competing. I think this is the best type of preparation for championships. I think we’ll be ready to compete well.”

The women started the meet on the 3-meter springboard, each performing six dives. Syrena Miskin scored the highest, taking first place with her score of 289.05. Teammate Raleigh Williams came in second with her total score of 286.80.

Although a Stanford diver achieved third place, BYU’s Dayna Christensen and Haley Francois gained fourth and fifth with their scores of 273.83 and 253.73, respectively.

Brandon Watson placed first in the men’s 1-meter competition with a total score of 361.58. Stanford divers swept places two through four, but Travis Day accomplished a score of 326.33 to put in him fifth place.

Switching boards, the men moved onto the 3-meter while the women took over the 1-meter. Miskin dove for second place with her final score of 287.40, while Christensen finished in third behind her with a total score of 281.03. Williams attained a score of 252.68 that put her in fifth place.

Watson made an impressive showing in the 3-meter, receiving a nine and an eight and one half score from the judges on his first of six dives. His total score amounted to 429.00, putting him at first place once again. Kevin Dreesen scored 359.25 to put him in fourth place.

The swim and dive team will next compete in the MPSF conference championships, Feb. 15th through the 18th. The swim team will travel to Monterey Park, CA for competition while the dive team will travel Colorado Springs, CO.