Utah’s Daring Dive Dominates Auburn Invite Finale

AUBURN, Ala. –  The diving squad from the University of Utah completed the final day of the Auburn Diving Invite, with the female competitors participating in the tower event and securing four placements within the top 15 on Saturday morning at the James E. Aquatics Center.
 
In the concluding session, the female divers engaged in the tower event. The leading 12 athletes from the event progressed to the finals, with junior Sydney Kowalski representing the Utes.
 
“The women performed admirably in the tower event and we actually had three women qualify for finals. However, we faced a few persistent injuries that we decided against pushing, so we opted out,” stated head diving coach Richard Marschner. “Consequently, it provided Sydney the chance to compete in the finals and she seized the opportunity, finishing in seventh place.”
 
For the Girls

• Kowalski secured a spot in the finals, entering seeded at 12^th, but advanced to seventh after her five dives. She commenced her sequence with her most proficient dive, a reverse 2 ½ tuck from the ten-meter platform, adding 54.60 points to her grand total of 224.80.
• Senior Holly Waxman concluded her preliminaries in ninth position with a score of 220.35. In the fourth round, Waxman garnered 58.80 points with her back 2 ½ tuck off the five-meter platform.
• Junior Kathryn Grant attained 11^th place following her last dive, a back 2 ½ with a 1 ½ twist pike, contributing 57.60 points to a total of 216.85.
• Trailing closely behind, freshman Callie Eaglestone finished in 12^th place with a score of 208.55. Her highest-scoring dive occurred in the second round, a front 2 ½ pike from the 5m platform, which scored 46.80 points.

 
“She narrowly missed her zone cut, but she displayed remarkable resilience and made an excellent recovery from the prelims,” remarked Marschner.
 
Looking Ahead
The Utes will welcome Colorado Mesa University, the University of Wisconsin diving team, and the BYU diving team on Jan. 10 at the Ute Natatorium.
 
Follow the Utes!
Fans can stay updated through social media (Twitter: @UTAHswimdive | Instagram: @utahswimdive | Facebook: Facebook.com/UtahUtesSwimDive), along with the official mobile application of Utah Athletics, Utah360 — download here.