Denkers places 10th in platform diving on final day

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Matt Denkers placed 10th in the platform diving finals during the last day of the Zone E NCAA Diving Championships on Wednesday.  

“We had several finalists in all three events throughout this meet and set a new record for our BYU men’s team,” BYU head dive coach Tyce Routson said. Matt Denkers put in a solid effort and almost made the top seven to qualify for the NCAA national champsionships. I am proud of how the men and Morgan Mellow supported each other throughout the long week. They capped the season off well, are mentally stronger, and are ready to improve their performances next year."

All five of the men who participated in the platform diving made finals. Denkers received a score of 305.15 in the platform preliminaries and combined that with his final score to get a total of 554.35 points to place him in 10th.

“Eric Muir displayed some flashiness with some high-scoring dives,” Routson said. “His 3-1/2 inward and 3-1/2 somersaults earned him the highest points he has received on platform all season.”

Muir and Kevin Dreesen followed in 12th and 13th place, respectively. Muir totaled 537.85 points and Dreesen accumulated 519.90 throughout the course of his dives.

Senior Jordan Tuckfield placed 16th with a score of 423.50 and freshman Ryan Evans took 17th with 413.00 total points.

Morgan Mellow, from Mesa, Arizona, participated in the women’s platform preliminaries and ended in 35th place with a score of 170.85.

Dreesen and swimmer Payton Sorenson qualified to compete in the 2017 Division I NCAA Men’s Championships, which will be held March 22-25 in Indianapolis, Indiana. More details will be posted on the swimming schedule page as they become available.