March 11, 2014
GREENSBORO, N.C. – After sending three to the finals yesterday in the opening day of the NCAA Zone B Diving Championships, the South Carolina divers concluded their seasons after getting four out of five divers into the finals today at the Greensboro Aquatic Center. Junior Cole Miller had the team’s top finish as he came in 11th on the men’s 1-meter springboard.
Miller entered the finals in 15th after posting a score of 282.15 in the preliminary round, but steadily moved up in the standings throughout the finals to finish the day with 621.10 points. He finished just ahead of teammate Jordan Gotro. The freshman qualified for the finals in 11th place with 306.30 points, but was passed by Miller in the finals as he finished the day with a score of 620.40.
“Jordan had another outstanding day, finaling and finishing 12th,” diving coach Todd Sherritt said. “He just gets better every performance. He is very aggressive and is able to handle the pressure that comes with this meet. Cole had another steady day, but he was not able to step it up enough to get to NCAAs. He has another year though to reach the championships.”
Senior Andrew Helmich concluded the day in 26th place with 252.55 points.
Junior Patricia Kranz had the top finish on women’s side as she took 14th out of 43 divers on the 3-meter springboard. She started the final round in 13th after scoring 300.30 points in the prelims, but dropped back a spot over the course of the finals as she finished the day with 602.25 points. Sophomore Lauren Lamendola was a only a few spots behind her in 17th as she finished the day with 587.10 points after scoring 277.60 in the prelims.
“Lauren made her first final on the 3-meter doing a great three-and-half and back two-and-a-half,” Sherritt noted. “I am very impressed with the way she is finishing the season. Patti ended up 14th with another solid performance. We needed a few more points out of a couple dives to make it in, but she has another year to break through and make it to NCAAs.”
