COLUMBUS, OH. – The University of Kentucky diving team had an impressive showing at the NCAA Zone C Championship, held from Monday to Wednesday in Columbus, with two divers earning spots to compete at the NCAA Championships in Federal Way, Washington in the coming weeks.
Senior Abby Devereaux was the highlight of the meet for Kentucky, qualifying for the NCAAs in platform after a strong 8th place finish in the event. Abby also had notable performances in other springboard events, finishing 13th in both 1-meter and 3-meter, but it was her platform performance that earned her a spot at NCAAs.
Fifth-year Sam Duncan also earned his qualification to NCAAs, finishing 8th in the men’s 1-meter event. His performance throughout the meet was consistent, securing him a place at nationals in a highly competitive field. This will mark his fourth time competing at the NCAA Diving Championship.
On the women’s side, fifth-year Claire McDaniels had a strong showing, making the 1-meter finals and finishing 9th, just shy of qualification. She showed her versatility with solid efforts across the springboard events. Freshman Avery Giese made the 1-meter finals, finishing just outside the qualification cutoff in 7th place, and competed in the 3-meter finals, finishing in 12th. Giese’s performance demonstrated her competitiveness and potential for future success. Sophomore Kristy Pfaff made it to the 3-meter finals, finishing in 17th, while sophomore Devynn Bishop advanced to the platform finals where she finished in 15th.
The Wildcats head to the NCAA Championships with strong performances across the board, with Devereaux and Duncan leading the team’s qualification efforts. The team’s depth and talent were on full display as they navigated a competitive Zone C Championship, setting the stage for an exciting NCAA competition.
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