Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG, Va. – Junior Ryan Hawkins of the Virginia Tech diving squad automatically qualified for the 2013 NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships on Saturday, the second day of the NCAA Zone A Championships, at the Christiansburg Aquatic Center. Hawkins placed second in the men’s 3-meter event to secure his ticket to the National Championships for the third-straight year.
The Charlotte, N.C., native tallied a six-dive total of 410.25 in the final round, 34.95 points better than his prelim score, to grab the second-place spot.
Senior Logan Shinholser and sophomore Kaylea Arnett, who both qualified yesterday, continue to dominate the competition as both divers were victorious again today. Arnett won the women’s 1-meter event with a total score of 606.35, while Shinholser tallied an 829.70, over 40 points higher than any other competitor, to win the men’s 3-meter.
As a whole, Tech is dominating the pool as well. All nine H2Okies advanced to the finals and placed in the top 11.
For the women, senior Logan Kline, who is already qualified, placed fourth with a score of 565.70, sophomore Kelli Stockton followed in at fifth with 529.30 points and senior Sara Mokhtari placed eighth with a score of 481.15.
After getting pulled out of competition on day one due to injury, freshman Logan Stevens bounced back with a huge performance on the 3-meter for the men. Stevens tallied a score of 704.35 to place sixth and his six-dive score of 363.85 in the prelims became a career best for the freshman.
Following Stevens was sophomore Kyle Butts in seventh with a score of 697.95 and junior John Trope placed 11th to round out the pack with 630.00 points.
Michaela Butler from Massachusetts was the only qualifier today for the women and since Arnett won and Danielle Cecco from Connecticut took second – who also advanced from yesterday’s performance – it allows the second-place finisher on the platform event to qualify tomorrow. On the men's side, only the top finisher will advance to the NCAAs.
Competition will start back up tomorrow, March 17 with the men’s and women’s platform event starting at 12 p.m.