KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – All Walker Creedon needed was a chance at a second list on the Platform.
As it turns out, all Creedon needed was 0.9 points. That was the difference between 18th and 19th place after prelims.
A tough opening dive from the Cary, North Carolina native meant Creedon needed the rally of rallies to make that second list and Walker was more than up to the task. Averaging north of 55 points on each of his last five efforts got Creedon into finals on the number, 0.9 points ahead of 19th and the final spot in finals.
In finals, it was all gas no breaks for the Virginia transfer. Creedon threw down a monstrous second list, scoring a 405.35. Combined with his prelims total, the 709.50 was good enough for sixth place and a spot in the NCAA Championships in Minneapolis in two weeks' time.
It's the fourth time Creedon has qualified for NCAAs.
Fellow Tiger Hunter Kebler was hot on Creedon's heels for most of the afternoon. A 337.30 earned the junior a second list on the tower. Kebler would ultimately finish 11th with a 686.75.
Whit Andrus dialed up a 291.65 to finish 20th.
Ashlynn Sullivan continued her impressive performance following a top-12 finish on the 1-meter on Monday. Sullivan and Gretchen Wensuc easily slid their way into the 3-meter finals with a 305.25 and 294.25.
Sullivan wound up 11th overall, scoring a 613.70, just five points from an NCAA qualifying spot. Should the Lucas, Texas native secure a top six finish on the Platform Wednesday, Sullivan would be eligible to dive in all three disciplines at the NCAA Championships.
Wensuc rounded out her day with a solid 587.15.
QUOTES FROM THE WELL
Head diving coach, Jeff Shaffer
"I couldn't be more proud of my team today. Both the women and men had very strong dives. Walker's ability to rally was outstanding and Hunter really stepped up today. Ashlynn [Sullivan] continues to dive well and just missed an entry or two. Otherwise, we would have had two qualifiers today. Gretchen [Wensuc] and Abigail [Farrar] were also very strong."
"We've got a ton of momentum heading into the final day tomorrow. It'll be a good fight with only six spots open on the women's Platform but I like where the mentality of this team is at the moment."
UP NEXT
Wednesday marks the final day of competition at the NCAA Zone B Championships and with it brings the women's platform event. Prelims are slated for 10 a.m. CT with finals directly following. The event will be streamed live on the SEC Network+.
