LEXINGTON, Ky. — The LSU diving team wrapped up a successful weekend with the platform competition on Sunday at the NCAA Zone B Meet from the Lancaster Aquatic Center.
Junior Hali Saucier just missed qualifying for the NCAA Championships with a third-place finish in the platform. Saucier, a native of Gig Harbor, Wash., dove a final score of 493.05. Miami’s Heather Bounds and Kentucky’s Taryn Ignacio finished first and second to earn automatic berths.
“She (Hali) did a stellar job today — everyone did all weekend,” said diving coach Doug Shaffer. “It’s unfortunate Hali didn’t qualify but her performance was outstanding.”
However, sophomore Niko Dalman will represent the men’s team at NCAAs. Dalman, a native of Auburn, Wash., earned a berth with a third-place finish in the 3-meter on Friday.
Sophomore Paige Brown was ninth in the platform on Sunday with a score of 439.60. On the men’s side, junior Andrew Keane was the Tigers’ highest finisher, taking ninth with a mark of 542.85. Dalman placed 13th (484.45) and freshman Nathan Schreiber was 15th (466.80).
LSU now turns its attention to the NCAA Championships. Four Lady Tiger swimmers, including Colleen Bertirotti, Katherine Noland, Katie Gilmore and Heather Brand, all advanced. Freshman Julius Gloeckner will represent the men’s team.
The Women’s NCAA Championships gets underway Thursday at Georgia’s Gabrielsen Natatorium and continues into the weekend. The Men’s NCAA Championships follow a week later, March 23-25, in Atlanta, Ga.