Feb. 12, 2011
GAINESVILLE, Fla. - The Auburn diving core advanced three student-athletes to Saturday night's finals at the 2011 SEC Diving Championships at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center on the campus of the University of Florida.
"I was really glad with how we qualified today," head diving coach Jeff Shaffer said. "I couldn't be happier with where we stand going into the finals."
The Auburn men qualified three on the three-meter springboard at the conclusion of the afternoon's preliminaries. Redshirt senior Dan Mazzaferro tallied a field-best 405.30 points to qualify first overall. Mazzaferro, who sat out last season with a knee injury, was the 2009 SEC champion in the event.
Freshman John Santeiu IV continued to have a solid championship meet as the Dearborn Heights, Mich., product qualified fourth with a career-best 368.70 points. Sophomore Thad Ellis reached his first finals of the meet as he held on to the eighth spot with 336.80 points.
"Dan (Mazzaferro) and John (Santeiu) were rock solid today," Shaffer said. "Thad (Ellis) hung on for us and made it in and we're really excited for the finals."
Juniors Vennie Dantin and Anna Aguero reached the finals for the women's one-meter springboard following the day's preliminaries. Vennie qualified third overall with a score of 298.70 points. Aguero was right behind her in fourth with 296.80 points.
"Vennie (Dantin) and Anna (Aguero) were a little off on one dive, but came back strong to qualify," Shaffer said. "They put themselves in a great position to do well tonight and it's going to be a great contest."
The women's one-meter finals kick off at 5 p.m. ET with the men's three-meter at 6 p.m. ET from the Stephen C. O'Connell Center.
Auburn Swimming and Diving
2010 SEC Diving Championships - Day Two Preliminaries
Friday, February 12, 2011
Stephen C. O'Connell Center; Gainesville, Fla.
Auburn Finalists - Women's One-Meter: Championship Finalists - 3. Vennie Dantin (298.70); 4. Anna Aguero (296.80); Men's Three-Meter: Championship Finalists - 1. Dan Mazzaferro (405.30); 4. John Santeiu IV (368.70); 8. Thad Ellis (336.80).