Divers represent Virginia Tech well at Olympic Trials

FEDERAL WAY, Wash. – Divers Kaylea Arnett, Ryan Hawkins, Logan Kline, Logan Shinholser and Kelli Stockton all represented Virginia Tech well at the USA Olympic Trials, as they competed for a spot on the 2012 USA Olympic Team this past week at the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center. Hawkins, Kline and Shinholser all recorded top-10 showings.

“I am extremely proud of all of the Hokie divers, and the way they represented Virginia Tech,” commented head diving coach Ron Piemonte. “For Logan Kline to finish sixth in the synchronized 3-meter event with her partner, and Logan Shinholser and Ryan Hawkins to finish fourth in the men's synchronized platform event was really exciting. Logan Shinholser finishing fifth in the individual platform event was a truly amazing highlight for me and has really shown how incredible a diver he has become. The Virginia Tech diving squads had a major presence in this extremely prestigious event, and I am looking forward to how this experience will help us in the future.”

Tech’s top duo, Hawkins and Shinholser, highlighted the week as they recorded a score of 1074.00 in the men’s synchronized platform to place fourth overall. On the women’s side, Kline paired up with former Indiana teammate, Gabriella Agostino, in the synchronized 3-meter and placed sixth with a score of 742.20.

Individually, Shinholser was the only H2Okie to advance to the finals. The All-American entered the finals of the platform event in 11th place and scored a 790.10 to push him all the way up to a fifth-place finish.

Arnett was the only Tech diver to compete in three events. The 2012 ACC Female Diver of the Year participated in the synchronized 3-meter with partner Michelle Cabassol and placed 11th. She also competed in the individual 3-meter and platform events.

Stockton only competed in the individual platform and placed 22nd in the preliminary round, while Hawkins placed 15th in the prelims of the platform on the men’s side.

The divers will return home as 24 Virginia Tech swimmers head to Omaha, Neb., for the USA Swimming Olympic Trials starting Monday, June 25 at the CenturyLink Center. All but the fastest heats of preliminaries will be webcast live at usaswimming.org, while finals will be aired live on NBC at 8 p.m. EST.