Jan. 4, 2009

Diving Results

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - After failing to qualify any divers to the finals during the first day of the 2009 Tennessee Diving Invitational, the Lady Vols sent a pair past the prelims in the 1-meter competition on Sunday at the Allan Jones Intercollegiate Aquatic Center.

Freshmen Gabbie Trudeau and Jodie McGroarty advanced to the finals in the 1-meter competition after both failed to move past the prelims in the 3-meter on Saturday.

Trudeau, who was 20th in the 3-meter, finished sixth with a score of 261.05 in the 1-meter finals. McGroarty, who tied for 14th and just missed the finals in the 3-meter, placed ninth in the 1-meter with a score of 241.10.

"I feel a lot better about our performances today," Head diving coach Dave Parrington said. "There is still some room for improvement, but qualifying two divers for the finals is a positive sign. The fact that they are both freshman is very impressive and shows me what they are made of."

In the prelims, McGroarty qualified seventh with an NCAA Zone qualifying score of 265.30, while Trudeau scored 249.15 to edge Lexie Bryant of Georgia for the 12th and last finals spot.

Senior Staley McCartney finished 26th with a score of 222.95, while sophomore Jill Pierce placed 33rd with a score of 214.00.

"Staley was more consistent today and Jill certainly improved from yesterday," Parrington said. "I'm excited to see them perform along with Gabbie tomorrow. Platform is their better event."

Florida's Kara Salamone won the 1-meter with a score of 293.10 in the finals. She was runner-up to Drexel's Kate Hynes by a half-point in the 3-meter competition on Saturday.

Full and live results can be found at divemeets.com.