March 2, 2007
AUBURN, Ala. - Auburn divers Corey Gerlach, Lynnsey Segraves and Steven Segerlin qualified for the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships during the opening day of the Zone B Diving Championships Friday in Athens, Ga. Gerlach was the runner-up in the women's 3-meter event with Segraves placing fifth, while Segerlin finished third in the men's 1-meter competition.
"It wasn't always pretty today but we got the job done," said head diving coach Jeff Shaffer. "I'm really pleased with the girls. It's nice to have both of those girls and Steve already in the meet. They can relax and focus on training and preparing for the NCAAs now. It takes a lot of pressure off of them."
Gerlach, the 2007 SEC champion and defending zone champion on the 3-meter board, led after the preliminaries before finishing second after the finals with a score of 628.15. The sophomore will be making her second straight trip to the NCAA meet.
Segraves finished fifth with a score of 591.80 to earn the final women's automatic spot in the NCAA meet during the opening day of competition. The senior punched her ticket to the NCAA meet for the third straight year.
Segerlin, the SEC Male Diver of the Year, did not perform up to his usual standards, but still managed to earn the third and final automatic spot for the men on Friday with a score of 684.55.
Also reaching the finals on the 1-meter boards for Auburn was Dan Mazzaferro, who finished eighth with a score of 612.55, Kelly Marx (603.80), who placed 10th and Scott Morgan (580.90), who finished 16th. Caleb Dunnichay scored 253.70 points during the prelims to finish 27th.
"We had some great dives, although I wasn't particularly happy with Steve's performance," said Shaffer. "I thought he would have dealt with the pressure better, but it proves it's still a tough mental game. The freshmen had some nice dives but are giving up too much in degree of difficulty. We get better the higher we go, so the 3-meter tomorrow should be a much better event for Dan and Kelly to try to make the NCAAs before we go to platform Sunday."
Also for the women, freshman Emily Griesemer had a career-best score of 285.90 during the prelims before placing ninth after the finals with a total score of 551.95.
"Overall it was a very good day," said Shaffer. "To walk away after day one with both girls qualified and Steve getting one of the men's spots should help everyone relax. Steve can help the young freshmen step up tomorrow during the 3-meter event."
Competition will continue Saturday at 11 a.m. CT, with the women on the 1-meter board and the men switching to the 3-meter board. The platform competition will wrap up the event Sunday at 9 a.m. CT.
Divers who advance will join the swimmers for the NCAA Championships in Minneapolis. The women's NCAA meet is March 8-10, while the men will compete March 15-17.
Live results are available on Georgia's athletics website: www.georgiadogs.com.