COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Junior diver Jessica Wantz placed fifth in the 1-meter competition to earn All-America honors for the second- consecutive year, highlighting day one for LSU at the 2004 NCAA Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships.
After finishing fifth in the morning preliminaries, the Houston, Texas native improved nearly 13 points in the finals with a score of 288.60. South Carolina’s Allison Brennan won the event with a mark of 307.20.
“She did a magnificent job,” said diving coach Doug Shaffer. “Her focus has been excellent, and I expect her to continue that momentum into the 3-meter tomorrow — her best event.”
Wantz placed fourth in the 3-meter finals a year ago in her breakout sophomore season. She will continue her quest for another All-American performance in the 3-meter, the final event on Friday. The top eight finishers receive first-team All-America status.
Stephanie Smith was LSU’s lone swimmer participating in day one. The senior finished 49th in the prelims of the 400-meter freestyle (4:14.55). Southern Cal’s Kalyn Keller won the event with a NCAA record time of 4:03.81.