COLLEGE STATION, Texas — One day after after earning All-America honors in the 1-meter, Jessica Wantz delivered another memorable performance in the 3-meter to culminate day two of the 2004 NCAA Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships.
The Houston, Texas native scored the best mark of her career, collecting 540.15 points en route to a third place finish to earn All-America honors in the 3-meter for the second time in her career. The third place finish was also a career high for the junior.
“This feels pretty good,” said Wantz. “There is always room for improvement but I liked where I finished. It’s great to be named All-American twice at this meet.”
Wantz took fifth place in the 1-meter on Thursday. She was named All-American for the first time in her career at the 2003 NCAA Championships, finishing fourth in the 3-meter finals as a sophomore. The top eight scorers are named first-team All-America while the next seven finishers earn honorable mention All-America honors.
Alabama’s Lane Bassham won Friday’s lone diving event with a mark of 557.75, while Arkansas’ Mandy Moran finished 1.08 points ahead of Wantz to take second place.
“This was a terrific contest when you look at the talent up there,” said diving coach Doug Shaffer. “Jessica was absolutely outstanding, while her focus was there all along. She represented LSU very well tonight.”
Senior swimmer Stephanie Smith will take part in the 1,500 meter freestyle for the final event of her career on Saturday. Preliminary sessions are set for 11 a.m. and conclude with finals at 7 p.m.