ATHENS, Ga. – On the final day of competition for the women at the Zone B Championships, the Auburn Tigers did not disappoint inside Grabrielsen Natatorium. Abigail Farrar and Ashlynn Sullivan each delivered standout performances on the tower to qualify for the NCAA Championships.
"I felt peace by trusting God, John [Fox] and my training," said Farrar. "The work I have put in since the beginning of the season gave me confidence. Being surrounded by my teammates and family as they were cheering me on meant the world to me."
Farrar, the junior out of Pompano Beach, Florida, conjured a career-high 289.60 to finish fourth in prelims. With just seven spots on the line in finals, Farrar came up clutch in her final six dives to put together a 258.65 and finish sixth overall with a total of 548.25.
"The moment I realized I had qualified will be something I cherish forever," Farrar explained. "My season is not done yet!"
The trip to Athens will mark the junior's first trip to the NCAA Championships.
Sullivan had already punched her ticket to NCAAs via a top-10 finish in the 1-meter on Sunday. A top-12 effort on the tower on Tuesday would give her a second event to add to her resume.
In prelims, the Lucas, Texas product came up with a 251.15 to slide into 12th place but only three points clear of 13th. Much like Farrar, Sullivan managed to step up her game in finals, piecing together a stellar list for a 256.80 and a 507.95 total. The mark moved the senior up to 11th with more than enough room to hit the qualifying mark.
Kayla Walsh completed her first showing at Zones with a solid 19th at an even 226.00.
Whit Andrus paced the Orange and Blue on the men's side once again on Tuesday. His 344.00 in the 3-meter was good enough for 14th in prelims and earned the Winston-Salem, North Carolina native a second list of dives.
In finals, Andrus put together another solid 340.35 to finish 15th overall.
Talan Blackmon secured 26th (312.85) and Hunter Kebler grabbed 30th (294.65).
UP NEXT
The final day of the Zone B Championships features the men's platform competition. Ten spots are up for grabs when the action begins at 10 a.m. CT. Wednesday will also feature the men's and women's team competition (exhibition).
REMAINING SCHEDULE
Wednesday, March 13
10 a.m. CT – Men's Platform
1:30 p.m. CT – Men's/Women's Team Event (exhibition)
