SEC Three-Meter Diving Champion Jessica Thompson led the UK diving contingent with a third-place showing in the three-meter springboard event Friday at the NCAA Zone B Diving Meet at the Georgia Tech Aquatic Center in Atlanta.

Thompson, a Matthews, N.C., native, landed in third place after the preliminary round and held onto third in the finals with a score of 510.50. Strong performances over the next two days likely will assure Thompson one of 11 women?s bids available to next week?s NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships at Purdue. Thompson was joined in three one-meter finals by sophomores Taryn Ignacio and Jillian Becker, who placed 12th and 17th, respectively.

Senior All-American Mario Rodriguez was the lone finalist for the UK men, taking 17th place in the men?s one-meter springboard event.

Saturday?s competition continues with the men?s three-meter and women?s one-meter events beginning at 10:30 a.m. EST. A live scoring link for the weekend?s events is available at ukathletics.com and is also accessible via ramblinwreck.com.

NCAA Zone B Diving Meet ? Atlanta, Ga.
Men?s 1-meter Diving

17. Mario Rodriguez ? 574.40
19. Ben Starchuk ? 281.90
36. Justin Montrie ? 225.20

Women?s 3-meter Diving

3. Jessica Thompson ? 510.50
12. Taryn Ignacio ? 444.70
17. Jillian Becker ? 428.35
22. Joey Brown ? 247.20