Three Cougar Finalists

AUSTIN -- Three of the five BYU divers made it to finals on Thursday’s competition at the Zone E NCAA Qualifying Championships, with one diver in the top 10.

“They did well,” said BYU diving coach Keith Russell. “It wasn’t our best day, but yet I think we did the best of everyone in the conference.”

There were 27 male divers and 40 female divers and the top 18 were able to make it to finals. In Thursday’s competition, five Cougars competed with three making it to finals.

Tawni Jones led the way, placing sixth overall on the 3-meter board. She was ranked fourth going into the finals, however she dropped to sixth with a total score of 559.15. Jones posted a 280.10 in the prelims.

“Tawni did a good job,” said Russell. “She just missed one dive to keep her from automatically making it to the NCAAs. She still could make it if the same divers do well tomorrow.”

Sam Hatch led the men placing 12th in prelims and finals on the 1-meter board with a point total of 536.20. He scored a 271.95 during the prelims.

“Sam did a nice job, but the competition was doing really big dives,” said Russell. “He did exactly what I was hoping for.”

Ron Morris placed 17th in prelims with a score of 256.05 and finished 16th overall with a total score of 509.10.

Emily Woods finished 23rd on the 3-meter board in the prelims with a score of 226.65, unable to make it to the finals. Ava Jackman placed 31st in the prelims with a score of 210.20.

In Friday’s competition the men will be competing on the 3-meter board and the women on the 1-meter board. Jackman placed first at the MWC Championships on the 1-meter board and will look to do well at the same height.

Check back to www.byucougars.com/swimming_diving/ for scores and updates.