Hokie ClubBUFFALO, N.Y. – Logan Shinholser, Ryan Hawkins and Kaylea Arnett of the Virginia Tech diving squad automatically qualified for the 2012 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships on day one of the NCAA Zone A Qualifying meet at the Alumni Arena Natatorium. Shinholser and Arnett swept the men’s 3-meter and women’s 1-meter competition, respectively, while Hawkins placed second in the men’s 3-meter.
“It was a great first day of competition,” commented head diving coach Ron Piemonte. “Out of the 41 male divers, Logan Shinholser winning the men’s 3-meter was amazing. He hit all of his dives to finish almost perfect. On the women’s side, in a pool of 44 divers, Kaylea Arnett was incredible; to win the women’s 1-meter event and automatically advance to NCAAs is great.”
Shinholser was the only diver to receive a score over 400 in both the preliminary and final rounds of the 3-meter event. The junior brought in a score of 425.75 in the prelims, while improving to 426.95 in the finals to take the event.
Arnett swept the 1-meter competition for the women. The freshman received the top score in the preliminary round as she scored a 290.30 before bringing in the winning score of 294.70 to head to the NCAAs.
Along with the top spots, the second-place finisher of each event automatically qualifies to the NCAAs. Hawkins came in second to receive the automatic bid as he brought in a score of 397.00 in the prelims, while finishing with a 376.05 in the final round.
“Ryan Hawkins did extremely well,” added Piemonte. “Second place and an automatic bid is an amazing accomplishment. I am so happy for him along with all my other divers that did a great job in this tight competition.”
Rounding out the men’s 3-meter for the Hokies was freshman Kyle Butts, who placed fifth with a final score and career-best 362.70, while John Trope finished 10th with a score of 335.80.
Logan Kline finished fifth in the 1-meter for the women, with a final score of 281.35, while Sara Mokhtari brought in a score of 238.90 to place 15th.
Competition will start back up on Saturday at noon with the women’s 3-meter followed by the men’s 1-meter event.