University of Georgia Athletics
Colwill Stamps Ticket to NCAA Championships
March 11, 2005 | Swimming & Diving
March 11, 2005
ATLANTA --- Sophomore diver Chris Colwill earned a trip to the NCAA Championships with a runner-up performance on the 1-meter springboard at the 2005 NCAA Zone B Diving Championships at the Georgia Tech Aquatic Center in Atlanta Friday afternoon.
The top two finishers in each event earn a spot on the NCAA roster, while additional divers are added once competitors qualify in multiple events.
After scoring only 16.90 on his opening dive, Colwill was fourth after the preliminary rounds with a total score of 327.70, but he was less that four points out of second. Colwill did not score less than 54.00 on any dive in the finals to earn a runner-up finish with a total award of 697.05. Colwill was just 0.30 of a point of Florida's Zach Wilcox, who finished third with 696.75.
"Chris started off giving everyone a 45-point advantage, but he fought back and did a great job," said Georgia diving coach Dan Laak. "It is tough that this is his first loss (on 1-meter) this season, but it's better here than at NCAAs. The important thing is that he has moved on to the next meet."
Senior Todd Avery, who was 12th after prelims, finished 13th overall with a score of 593.90 in the event. Sophomore Genya Gouzeev missed a trip to the finals by less than four points, as he placed 20th with a score of 281.85. Auburn's Steven Segerlin took top honors on the 1-meter with a score of 714.30.
"Todd did a good job. He just missed one dive, but it was one of his best dives," added Laak. "(Making NCAAs) has come down to the final event for Todd the past two years, so he is definitely not out of the picture. He is just going to have to do a little better tomorrow.
"Genya did a great job," offered Laak. "He was one dive away from being in the thick of things. I am proud of how he dove, even though I am a little disappointed he did not make the finals."
In the women's 3-meter competition, sophomore Sara Hershman was the top finisher for the Lady Bulldogs, as she amassed a total score of 245.65 to finish 24th. Classmate Emily Hunter followed Hershman with an overall award of 242.00 to take 25th. Senior Brooke Bassham placed 30th with a score of 232.00.
"This was not a very good day for our girls," said Laak. "It was just one of those days. The bottom line is there are some great divers here. We have good divers, but it just was not our day.
"It is only the first day, so we will have to see what happens the rest of the weekend," added Laak. "Brooke is historically better on 1-meter, and Emily's best event is Sunday. Sara has been diving better on 1-meter lately. I am disappointed with today, but we will see what happens."
The top 13 men and 11 women will advance to the NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships. The women's NCAA meet will be March 17-19, in West Lafayette, Ind, at Purdue University. Minnesota will host the men's NCAA meet, March 24-26, in Minneapolis, Minn.
The NCAA Zone B Diving Championship is free of charge and complete results can be found at http://ramblinwreck.collegesports.com
Remaining Schedule:
Saturday
10:30am - 12:30pm Women's 1 meter prelims
12:45pm - 1:45pm Women's 1 meter final
4:15pm - 7:15pm Men's 3 meter
Sunday
11am - 12:30pm Women's Platform
1:30pm - 3pm Men's Platform
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