Jan. 31, 2011

By Wes Todd
Assistant Media Relations Director

IOWA CITY, Iowa – South Carolina divers Courtney Forcucci and Rylan Ridenour advanced from the preliminary round on both the 1- and 3-meter boards at the USA Diving Winter National Championships on Sunday and Monday. The competition is taking place at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center on the campus of the University of Iowa.

Forcucci, a junior from Fort Mill, S.C., was the top scorer in the 1-meter preliminary on Monday, posting a five-dive total of 254.75 to outscore her nearest opponent by 18 points. She advances to the 1-meter semifinals, which will take place Wednesday morning. On Sunday, she scored a 249.95 on five dives in the 3-meter springboard preliminary to finish in ninth place, earning one of 13 spots in the 3-meter quarterfinals, which are set for Friday afternoon.

Ridenour, a sophomore from Lebanon, Ind., also advanced on both boards in the preliminary round. His score of 298.10 in Sunday’s 1-meter preliminary earned an 11th place finish and one of 21 spots in the 1-meter semifinals on Wednesday afternoon. On Monday afternoon, he posted a 317.30 in the 3-meter preliminary to finish in 12th place and earn a berth into the 3-meter quarterfinals, which will take place Thursday.

Forcucci will be joining Gamecock assistant coach Allison Brennan in the 3-meter quarterfinals on Friday. Brennan was pre-qualified for the meet.