March 11, 2011
ATHENS, Ga. - Senior Auburn diver Dan Mazzaferro advanced to the 2011 NCAA Championships with a second-place finish off the three-meter springboard Friday at Zone B Diving in Athens, Ga.
The seven-time All-American recorded preliminary and final scores of 393.75 and 397.60 for a 12-dive total, 791.35. Duke's Nick McCrory won the three-meter with an 876.65 while Tennessee's Ryan Helms took third with a 763.70.
Freshman John Santeiu reached finals, placing 15th with a 680.05.
"Dan (Mazzaferro) was real consistent in both of his lists today," said Auburn head diving coach Jeff Shaffer. "John (Santeiu) got into the finals which was some valuable learning experience for a freshman."
Sophomore Thad Ellis placed 22nd with a prelim score of 309.00 followed by junior Adam Godzinski in 34th, recording a 272.50.
On the women's side, Vennie Dantin picked up a fourth-place finish in the one-meter springboard scoring a 12-dive total of 584.85. Dantin earned her way to the NCAA Championships Thursday, placing second in the women's three-meter.
Anna Aguero took a major step Friday toward earning a spot on Auburn's 2011 NCAA Championship roster. The Moultrie, Ga., native placed fifth on the one-meter, scoring a 578.90. The result leaves her as the 10th qualifier, one shy of the nine alloted to the 2011 Zone B Championships.
"It was a good day for us today," said Shaffer. "Vennie (Dantin) placing fourth and Anna (Aguero), fifth. I'm proud of their efforts today. Anna (Aguero) needs to be top three or have one more double qualifier tomorrow. She is on the bubble right now. She's the 10th person in as of now. I'm very confident in her abilities. Either Vennie (Dantin) and Anna (Aguero) in the top-three tomorrow will get her to Austin."
The Zone B Championships, held at the University of Georgia's Gabrielsen Natatorium, is one of five Zone diving meets taking place across the country this week. The events serve as qualifiers for the upcoming men's and women's NCAA Championships.
Zone B will qualify nine divers from each the men's and women's fields. Divers who advance from Zones will compete in all three events at the NCAA Championships.
Diving resumes Saturday at 9:30 a.m. CST with men's and women's platform.