BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — For the second time in her career, senior Jessica Wantz was named the SEC Diver of the Week, the league office announced on Wednesday.
Wantz, a native of Houston, Texas, won every event she competed in last week. The three-time All-American swept the 1-meter and 3-meter at Kentucky on Jan. 13, winning with convincing scores of 291.37 and 316.20, respectively. The next highest competitor in the 1-meter was the Wildcats’ Joey Brown, who posted a score of 259.42.
Two days later, Wantz did it again, taking the 1-meter and 3-meter top honors against No. 13 Virginia and No. 24 Tennessee. She earned a season-best mark of 291.05 in the 1-meter and also won the 3-meter with a score of 319.25.
“I think this says a lot about the confidence in her ability and how serious she takes the competitions,” said LSU diving coach Doug Shaffer. “Last week she did about 12 dives and did not miss a beat. It was a very solid performance, but she knows she can always do better.”
On the season, Wantz has collected seven individual victories in just five meets and has swept both diving events in two dual contests. She also has a pair of runner-up finishes to her accolades, in which she earned at the Georgia Invitational at the beginning of the year.
Wantz last won the award two years ago on Jan. 14, 2003 for her performance at the Georgia Invitational.
Wantz and the Tigers continue their dual-meet season on the road at TCU and Texas A&M this Friday and Saturday.