LSU Gold

Diving Set to Take on Auburn Diving Invitational

by Chris Heigle
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Diving Set to Take on Auburn Diving Invitational

BATON ROUGE – The LSU diving team returns to competition as they are set to take part in the Auburn Diving Invitational on Dec. 17-19 at the James E. Martin Aquatic Center in Auburn, Alabama.

“It is good to end our fall season and begin our spring season with a championship format that replicates what we do at our zone and national championships,” said diving head coach Doug Shaffer. “This meet will serve as a good stepping stone for us.”

The three-day competition is set to begin Sunday at 11 a.m. CT with the men’s 3-meter and women’s 1-meter springboard preliminaries. The Tigers will be taking on Auburn, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, and South Carolina in what will be their toughest competition so far this season.

“There will be some very good competition there, including two returning SEC Champions and NCAA All-Americans competing,” said Shaffer. “This meet will be our biggest competition so far.”

For the women, Lizzie Cui, Makayla Robillard, and Rileigh Knox will be representing the Tigers. Knox was the only LSU woman to compete at the Art Adamson Invitational, where she finished 11th on 3-meter and 13th on 1-meter. 

“Rileigh is making good progress every day,” explained Shaffer. “She’s had a couple of hiccups as most people would, but she’s making good progress.”

For the men, Juan Celaya-Hernandez, Matt McClellan, Matthew Phillip, and Dakota Hurbis will be competing. At the Art Adamson Invitational, Celaya-Hernandez and McClellan finished in the top-8 in all three events, with Celaya-Hernandez winning both springboard events. Phillip and Hurbis achieved top-8 finishes in both three-meter and platform.

Since all four have already achieved NCAA Zones qualifying scores, the focus for Shaffer is to try some new dives and focus on the small details.

“We’re looking to refine our competitive lists and increase our personal-best scores, but ultimately we want to compete well and prepare for the most important part of our season,” said Shaffer.

For more information and updates on LSU Swimming and Diving please visit LSUsports.net, ‘like’ us on Facebook at LSU Swimming and Diving or follow us on Twitter and Instagram @LSUswimdive.

Order of Events:

Sunday, December 17:

11 a.m. start:

Men’s 3m prelims

Women’s 1m prelims

Women’s 1m finals

Men’s 3m finals

 

Monday, December 18:

11 a.m. start:

Women’s 3m prelims

Men’s 1m prelims

Men’s 1m finals

Women’s 3m finals

 

Tuesday, December 19:

11 a.m. start:

Men’s Platform

Women’s Platform