Jan. 3, 2012
ATHENS, Ga. – The University of Kentucky diving team competed in the University of Georgia Diving Invitational today, in the opening day of the two-day event, on Tuesday at the Gabrielsen Natatorium on the campus of the University of Georgia.
Pacing the way for Kentucky was sophomore Greg Ferrucci who posted a score of 412.20 in the three-meter competition. The score was good enough to land the defending Southeastern Conference Freshman Diver of the Year the overall champion in the event, taking home first place. John Fox placed eighth in the same competition, posting a score of 334.10.
The score of 412.20 set a new school record for Ferrucci, passing Ben Starchuk, who held the record since 2005 with a score of 406.43 on Feb. 5, 2005.
“We had a solid day,” UK Diving head coach Ted Hautau said. “John Fox and Greg Ferrucci were consistently good in the finals under pressure. There were a lot of good divers here and this was a good meet to knock the rust off from winter break.”
In the women’s one-meter diving competition, freshman Christa Cabot paced the way for Kentucky, taking claim to a 250.75 score, and placing her in seventh place overall. Cabot was one of three Wildcats who took claim to the final round, as Sarah Chewning finished 10th earning a 244.95 and Lindsay Keahey took home 14th place overall, earning a score of 210.95.
“Our three freshman girls made it into the finals and Christa Cabot just missed qualifying for the shootout.” Hautau said.
The second day of the Georgia Diving Invitational will take place tomorrow with the men competing in the one-meter competition, while the women will compete in the three-meter dive.
In the Bulldog Shootout, the top six divers from the day come back in the evening and compete in a knockout format. Each round, the lowest-point scorer is eliminated. UK diver Greg Ferrucci won the shootout competition, finishing off a stellar day for the sophomore.
For continuing coverage of the 2012 season, log on to UKAthletics.com.
