MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — In only the fifth meet of their young careers, four LSU divers placed in the finals of the 1-meter and 3-meter competitions Friday afternoon at the Minnesota Invitational in Minneapolis, Minn.
Alyson Carlyon was LSU’s highest women finisher, placing fifth out of 25 divers in the 1-meter event. The Kirkland, Wash. native tallied a score of 259.50 in the finals after posting a mark of 261.60 in the preliminary round. It was the freshman’s second highest score of the season, just shy of the 266.65 she recorded versus Delta State and Southwest Missouri State earlier in the year.
Minnesota’s Shannon Jackson won the 1-meter with a mark of 268.40. Freshman Hali Saucier dove a score of 248.80 in the preliminaries. Saucier would also qualify for the finals, placing eighth with a final-round score of 205.10.
While the women were participating in the 1-meter, two LSU men faced off against several other participants, including four Minnesota divers in the 3-meter event. Just like the LSU women, both freshmen qualified for the finals in their respective event. Andy Crum improved nearly 30 points in his final round of diving, finishing sixth with a score of 435.55. Andrew Keane placed eighth with a final-round score of 388.25. Miami’s Miguel Velazquez won the event at 607.85.
“I was very impressed and proud of our group,” said LSU diving coach Doug Shaffer. “I worked them really hard over the course of the last two weeks and they rose to the occasion.”
Diving events continue Saturday at the Minnesota University Aquatic Center. Events 25 and 26 will showcase the men’s 1-meter and women’s 3-meter competitions.