ATHENS, Ga. — In only her second platform appearance of the season and first since November, junior diver Hali Saucier scored a third-place finish in the final event of the Georgia Diving Invitational here Sunday at the Gabrielsen Natatorium.
Saucier, a native of Gig Harbor, Wash., produced a quality set of dives that resulted in a women’s third-place tally of 256.90. Last time out, Saucier scored a mark of 256.95 at the Texas A&M Invitational in November.
“Hali did a very nice job today,” said diving coach Doug Shaffer. “She delivered four very solid optionals with only one miss in the new format. With that in mind, she certainly has room for even more potential.”
Paige Brown was the Lady Tigers’ next highest finisher, posting a 15th-place score of 196.45. Ryanne Snyder and Alyson Thomas placed 19th and 20th, respectively with scores of 182.65 and 164.70.
Niko Dalman led LSU on the men’s side, earning a sixth-place finish with his score of 262.30. Fellow Tigers Andrew Keane and Nathan Schreiber scored right behind Dalman with seventh and eighth-place marks of 240.05 and 233.60.
“Across the board everyone did very well, considering we were right out of the blocks from the holidays,” added Shaffer.
Shaffer also stressed how the team has developed in platform competition since he took over the diving program four years ago. Since then, both Saucier and Brown qualified for the U.S. National Championships in platform followed up by solid performances at competitive invitationals and the SEC Championships.
Both Saucier, Brown and the rest of the Lady Tigers have aspirations of returning to the Gabrielsen Natatorium for a more important meet this spring, the NCAA Championships.
“We have developed a level of experience in platform,” said Shaffer. “There is a certain level of fear when you are 33 feet off of the ground. It takes maturity, practice and consistency to excel at this level.”
The LSU divers return home to join the swim squad in a conference dual-meet versus Florida this Thursday at noon. Admission to the LSU Natatorium is free.