AUBURN, Ala. – Freshman Talan Blackmon didn't waste any time making his presence known at the 2024 SEC Championships. His 290.00 on the 1-meter in prelims earned the Plano, Texas native meaningful points to kick off a busy week inside James E. Martin Aquatic Center.
"I was definitely a little nervous at first," said Blackmon. "Being a freshman, there's a lot of pressure on your shoulders. The beginning was a little rough, and I knew I had to step up. I got a little pep talk from Conner (Pruit) and John (Fox). They kept telling me, 'Win the next dive.'
"I lost the first two but I won the next four. So that was a big weight off my shoulders."
Blackmon had been trending in the right direction since the calendar turned over to the new year. The last time he was in action at Alabama, he put together a career-high 314.18. With an even 290.00 in prelims, Blackmon qualified 11th overall to earn a second list.
"He did exactly what we've set out to do this entire year," said head diving coach John Fox. "We planned for this and we knew this is what he was capable of. We weren't sure what was going to happen with the lights turned on but when they did, he rose to it."
In finals, the rookie put together six more dives for 274.40, 16th place and 11 points.
"Today, I really showed what I could do and what I'm capable of," Blackmon explained. "I think I'm in a great spot for the rest of the week."
Whit Andrus scored finishing 18th for seven points as did Hunter Kebler in 24th (1 point).
TEAM STANDINGS
MEN
- Texas A&M – 103
- Tennessee – 53
- Florida – 52
- Georgia – 42
- Missouri - 27
- Kentucky - 23
- Auburn – 19
- Alabama – 18
- LSU - 16
- South Carolina - 9
REMAINING SCHEDULE
Tuesday, Feb. 20 (Women's 3-meter, Men's Team Diving 200 MR, 800 FR)
11 a.m. CT - Prelims (Consolation finals immediately after)
5 p.m. CT - Finals
Wednesday, Feb. 21 (Men's 3-meter, 200 FR, 500 free, 200 IM, 50 free)
9:30 a.m. CT - Prelims
Noon CT - Diving prelims (Consolation finals immediately after)
5:30 p.m. CT - Finals
Thursday, Feb. 22 (Women's 1-meter, 400 IM, 100 fly, 200 free)
9:30 a.m. CT - Prelims
Noon CT - Diving prelims (Consolation finals immediately after)
5:30 p.m. CT - Finals
Friday, Feb. 23 (Men's Platform, 200 fly, 100 back, 100 breast, 400 MR)
9:30 a.m. CT - Prelims
11:30 a.m. CT - Diving prelims (Consolation finals immediately after)
5:30 p.m. CT - Finals
Saturday, Feb. 24 (Women's Platform, 1650 free, 200 back, 100 free, 200 breast, 400 FR)
9:30 a.m. CT - Prelims
11:30 a.m. CT - Diving prelims (Consolation finals immediately after)
2:30 p.m. CT - 1650 heats
5:30 p.m. CT – Finals