Auburn women finish AU Diving Invite on platform

AUBURN, Ala. – The Auburn Diving Invitational wrapped up Saturday with the women's platform event, and though the Tigers weren't at full strength, freshman Megan Ewoldt set a new personal best to finish third in the contest. 

It was just Ewoldt's second time competing on platform at Auburn, and her team-high 233.50 points was good for an NCAA Zone qualifying score. 

"I'm real happy for Megan and getting her Zone score because platform is her stronger event, and I don't know if we'll have another platform event," Auburn head diving coach Jeff Shaffer said. "It looks like all the girls have made their Zone score, which is positive."

Sophomore Ashlynn Sullivan finished fifth on platform with 222.95 points while freshman Kendall Minter placed ninth with 198.50 points. Minter already has her Zone qualifying score on platform after scoring 227.33 points at the Auburn Fall Invitational. 

Fellow freshman Maia Goldstein didn't compete Saturday, and Gretchen Wensuc, an SEC medalist on platform last year, bowed out after four dives due to a wrist injury. 

Women's platform was the final event of the invitational, and over the span of four days, Auburn placed third or better in five of the six events against a field that also included LSU, North Carolina and South Carolina. 

"It was a really strong competition with quality teams," Shaffer said. "It showed where we are, it showed what we need to work on, and I think it was an outstanding way to end the fall semester. 

"Now we can just take a few days off and recover, regroup and hopefully be able to train without incident when we return back after the holiday break. I think everybody is looking forward to a few days rest, being home with family and getting ready for the championship part of the season."

The Auburn swimming and diving teams will return in January where they open the spring season with a dual meet at Georgia Tech on Saturday, Jan. 8.