Jan. 5, 2012
ATHENS, Ga. - Sophomore John Santeiu and freshman Fraser McKean took the top two spots in the men's platform diving event Thursday to conclude a strong week for Auburn at the Georgia Diving Invitational.
"The meet gave us a good opportunity to see our competition and see what we need to focus on between now and SECs," Auburn diving coach Jeff Shaffer said. "We saw that we need to be more competitive, and it gave us a chance to see what else we need to work on. But I like where we are. It was a good experience for us."
Santeiu earned his second win of the week, scoring a career-best 397.45 on his six-dive list to run away from the field. It was his second win on platform this year with both coming at the Gabrielsen Natatorium as he won the tower event at the Georgia Fall Invitational in December. McKean also posted a personal best on the tower with a score of 356.35 to finish in second place.
Senior Adam Godzinski took a 10th-place finish with a 302.80, and freshman Michael Beran was 12th with a 297.25. Both scores were also career-bests for the Tiger men.
On the women's side, senior Vennie Dantin took runner-up honors on the platform with a five-dive score of 299.70, finishing only behind Tennessee's Tori Lamp. Freshman Shanna Schuelein turned in her second straight strong performance of the week, finishing fourth with a career-best and NCAA Zone qualifying score of 233.85. Freshman Cinzia Calabretta took eighth place with a score of 219.95.
The Tiger divers will rejoin their swimming teammates in dual-meet action next week. On Wednesday, Jan. 11, the women play host to Texas, while the men will welcome the Longhorns on Thursday, Jan. 12. Both meets are set for a 5 p.m. start at the James E. Martin Aquatics Center, and the eight Auburn seniors - four women and four men - will be honored prior to the start of their respective meets.