LEXINGTON, KY. – The LSU diving team completed the 2021 NCAA Zone D Diving Championships today in Lexington, Kentucky, by locking up four more NCAA qualifications. The Tigers will be back in action for the Women’s NCAA Championships that will begin March 17.
“I could not be prouder of this squad and their performance here this week,” said LSU head diving coach Doug Shaffer. “On that note, I could not be happier with their persistent patience throughout a difficult year. In the end, we qualified four athletes in nine events for the NCAA Championships. We are excited to have a national championship opportunity in front of us and look forward to spending the next two weeks in Greensboro, North Carolina.”
For the men on the One-Meter Springboard, Juan Celaya-Hernandez locked up his third NCAA bid of the week and the 12th of his career as he won with a final score of 840.25.
Dakota Hurbis capped off his LSU career with an 11th place finish on one-meter. He dove to a prelim score of 296.00 to make the final. He just missed out on qualifying for the NCAA Championships with a final score of 317.40.
“Special thanks to Dakota who competed in his last collegiate competition of his career,” said Coach Shaffer. “It has been a pleasure and a joy to coach him throughout his career.”
On Women’s Platform, Montserrat Gutierrez Lavenant made it three-for-three this week as she capped off the week qualifying for the NCAA Championships on platform. She dove to a score of 534.10 to qualify, adding to the list of events she will participate in at the NCAA Championships.
Helle Tuxen punched her ticket to the NCAA Championships by finishing in eighth place with a score of 525.25. This marks the first NCAA berth of Tuxen’s career.
“Helle’s performance today was truly remarkable,” continued Shaffer. “After having elbow surgery about seven weeks ago her training has been limited. She really stepped up today.”
Anne Tuxen notched her second NCAA qualification of the week as she finished in 10th place with a score of 521.00. She qualified on one-meter yesterday.
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