FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. -- The 2016 NCAA Zone E Diving Championships began on Monday up north at the new NAU Aquatic and Tennis Complex, and Arizona State junior diver Mara Aiacoboae started off on the right foot.
On day one, Aiacoboae competed in the women's 1-meter event and finished eighth to clinch a spot to the NCAA Championships in Atlanta from March 16-19.
"Today was a long day of diving, putting a lot of mental and physical effort to try to get that spot for NCAA's," said Aiacoboae. "My goal was to qualify in the top 11, so ending up in eighth was more then enough. I am really excited for these last two weeks of the season being they're the most important."
In the prelims, with just two rounds to go, Aiacoboae found herself just outside of her goal in 12th. While the top 18 advanced to the finals that night, the top nine earned automatic berths into the championships.
Aiacoboae moved into the top-12 by the end of the prelims and would only continue to move up as the meet went on.
In the finals, through two dives she moved up to sixth place with scores of 49.20 for her 403B and 58.50 for her 105B. Only the top nine of the finals event would qualify for the NCAA Championships.
Aiacoboae clinched just inside that top nine with a final score 575.40 for eighth with an average score of 49.68.
The NCAA Championships will be hosted by Georgia Tech in Atlanta from March 16-19.
The sophomore from Bacau, Romania will attempt to qualify in the 3-meter springboard and 10-meter platform over the next two days in Flagstaff.
You can follow the events live here at DiveMeets.com.