MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Five West Virginia University divers advanced to the finals on platform on the final day of the 2017 NCAA Zone A Diving Championships, in Blacksburg, Virginia, on Wednesday.
West Virginia closed out competition on Wednesday with five Mountaineers qualifying for finals on platform. Junior Alex Obendorf, sophomore Austin Smith and freshman Gerald Hodges led the men in the finals and sophomores Julia Calcut and Averly Hobbs represented the women.
“Today was tower day and for a team with no tower, I think all of the divers did very well,” said WVU diving coach Michael Grapner. “Averly and Julia both qualified for finals and helped them to success after a long hard weekend. Alex, Austin and Gerald all did really well too! They all made improvements on their dives and applied the skills that we have been working on this season.
“All in all, I'm proud of each of the divers who participated this weekend. The ultimate goal would have been to qualify for the NCAA Championships, however I'm happy for each of the divers who achieved other personal goals. We will work hard and train for next season!”
Going three-for-three in final competition at the NCAA Zone Championships, Obendorf concluded the third day with a 12th–place finish on men’s platform, scoring 280.35 and a combined score of 580.15. A Hudson, Ohio, native, Obendorf advanced after placing 11th in the prelims with a score of 299.80.
Smith and Hodges appeared in their first final competition of the three-day event. Smith finished 14th in the finals with a 268.60 and a combined score of 558.40. Smith, a Fishers, Indiana, native, advanced after placing 13th in the prelims with a 289.80.
Hodges placed in 18th in the finals with a score of 220.7, combining for a total score of 440.47. The Springfield, Virginia, native placed 18th in the prelims with a 226.70.
On springboard for the women, Calcut and Hobbs advanced to the finals for the first time on platform. Calcut placed 15th in the finals with a 199.65 and a combined score of 386.35. The Zeeland, Michigan, native advanced after a 16th-place finish in the prelims with a score of 186.70.
After placing 14th in the prelims, with a 192.05, Hobbs finished 17th in the finals with a score of 180.90 and a combined score of 372.95.
On Tuesday, Obendorf and McHenry made an appearance in the 3-meter finals. Obendorf placed 13th in the finals, scoring a 329.65 and earning a combined score of 638.05. McHenry finished 17th overall with a finals score of 276.85 and a combined score of 619.85.
To open competition on Monday, Obendorf placed 15th in the 1-meter finals, scoring 288.75 with a combined score of 581.55.
To qualify to the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships, the top four men’s divers on 1-meter and platform and the top five finishers on 3-meter qualify, while the women will advance the top five divers on 1-meter and the top six on 3-meter and platform to the NCAA meet.
The Mountaineers conclude the 2016-17 campaign as the swimmers and divers fell short of qualifying for the NCAA Championships.
