LEXINGTON, Ky. – Sophomore Avery Giese had a huge day on the boards in day one of NCAA Diving Zones competition, which is the qualifying event for the dive portion of the 2026 NCAA Swimming & Diving Championship. With a 587.65 score, Giese punched her ticket to the 1-meter dive event at the NCAA Women’s Championship.
Giese is a first time NCAA Qualifier, just missing the cut in her freshman year a season ago. This afternoon in the preliminary round she dove for 292.00, which was good for a top 18 placement, moving her to the finals. In the finals, she dove for 295.65, for a combined score of 587.65. This put her in sixth place, with the top seven qualifying in the 1-meter on the women’s side.
Alongside Giese in the final on day one was Kristy Pfaff, who finished 11th with 562.35.
Highlighting day one of NCAA Zones in fitting fashion, Giese hopes to have another strong outing in the 3-meter dive Tuesday and qualify there as well. The men will dive the 1-meter on Tuesday as well, and Wednesday both squads will round things off on the platform.
