FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The Arizona State diving team finished competition at the NCAA Zone E Diving Championships on a high note with both top finishers on platform representing the Sun Devils.
"We're very excited to have as many qualify as we did and now we look forward to scoring points at the next level, at the national championships," said head diving coach Mark Bradshaw. "We've been known for points diving-wise, especially on the men's side, up until the last couple of years and I think we have the chance to do something really special alongside swimming at NCAA's. I expect Mara to do her thing there – she's a quality diver, up there with some of the best."
Mara Aiacoboae earns a place at next week's NCAA's in the 10-meter platform, finishing first in the finals, while Heikki Makikallio accomplished the same feat in Wednesday's nightcap. For Aiacoboae, it's her third straight trip to NCAA's, while Makikallio will make his second consecutive trip in two weeks. On platform, Makikallio improved upon last year's score by 34 points.
"On the women's side, Mara competed in her best event as I thought it'd be best overall for her to save her energy for the platform. She did great today, she also qualified as well as winning the event. Rebecca was solid in the springboard events."
Earlier in the meet, David Hoffer went 2-for-2, qualifying for NCAA's in both events he competed in – both the 1-meter and 3-meter springboard. Freshman Youssef Selim also qualified for two NCAA championship events in his first NCAA Zone meet – both the 3-meter and platform.
"David Hoffer did a great job, coming back from injury, and somehow gutted it out and got a qualifying spot in both the 1-meter and 3-meter. Youssef incurred a back injury while we were here and had to scratch from the 1-meter, but he came back and was able to qualify for 3-meter and platform. Heikki just dove his specialty event, the platform, and did very, very well, winning the event. So all three men qualified for the national championships."
Both the women's (Mar. 15-18) and men's (Mar. 22-25) NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships will take place in Indianapolis at the Indiana University Natatorium over the next two weeks.
Tickets for the women's championships can be purchased HERE while men's can be purchased HERE.
Results
Monday
Women's 3m Prelim
Rebecca Deacon – 15th – 281.90
Women's 3m Championship
Rebecca Deacon – 17th – 559.80
Men's 1m Prelim
David Hoffer – 5th – 332.70
Men's 1m Championship
David Hoffer – 4th – 666.90
Tuesday
Women's 1m Prelim
Rebecca Deacon – 25th – 248.90
Women's 1m Championship
none
Men's 3m Prelim
Youssef Selim – 2nd – 363.60
David Hoffer – 11th – 321.20
Men's 3m Championship
Youssef Selim – 4th – 714.60
David Hoffer – 5th – 703.30
Wednesday
Women's Platform Prelim
Mara Aiacoboae – 1st – 284.20
Women's Platform Championship
Mara Aiacoboae – 1st – 589.40
Men's Platform Prelim
Heikki Makikallio – 3rd – 353.35
Youssef Selim – 9th – 298.75
Men's Platform Championship
Heikki Makikallio – 1st – 768.55
Youssef Selim – 8th – 616.50
Divers in BOLD advance to NCAA championships.
"We're very excited to have as many qualify as we did and now we look forward to scoring points at the next level, at the national championships," said head diving coach Mark Bradshaw. "We've been known for points diving-wise, especially on the men's side, up until the last couple of years and I think we have the chance to do something really special alongside swimming at NCAA's. I expect Mara to do her thing there – she's a quality diver, up there with some of the best."
Mara Aiacoboae earns a place at next week's NCAA's in the 10-meter platform, finishing first in the finals, while Heikki Makikallio accomplished the same feat in Wednesday's nightcap. For Aiacoboae, it's her third straight trip to NCAA's, while Makikallio will make his second consecutive trip in two weeks. On platform, Makikallio improved upon last year's score by 34 points.
"On the women's side, Mara competed in her best event as I thought it'd be best overall for her to save her energy for the platform. She did great today, she also qualified as well as winning the event. Rebecca was solid in the springboard events."
Earlier in the meet, David Hoffer went 2-for-2, qualifying for NCAA's in both events he competed in – both the 1-meter and 3-meter springboard. Freshman Youssef Selim also qualified for two NCAA championship events in his first NCAA Zone meet – both the 3-meter and platform.
"David Hoffer did a great job, coming back from injury, and somehow gutted it out and got a qualifying spot in both the 1-meter and 3-meter. Youssef incurred a back injury while we were here and had to scratch from the 1-meter, but he came back and was able to qualify for 3-meter and platform. Heikki just dove his specialty event, the platform, and did very, very well, winning the event. So all three men qualified for the national championships."
Both the women's (Mar. 15-18) and men's (Mar. 22-25) NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships will take place in Indianapolis at the Indiana University Natatorium over the next two weeks.
Tickets for the women's championships can be purchased HERE while men's can be purchased HERE.
Results
Monday
Women's 3m Prelim
Rebecca Deacon – 15th – 281.90
Women's 3m Championship
Rebecca Deacon – 17th – 559.80
Men's 1m Prelim
David Hoffer – 5th – 332.70
Men's 1m Championship
David Hoffer – 4th – 666.90
Tuesday
Women's 1m Prelim
Rebecca Deacon – 25th – 248.90
Women's 1m Championship
none
Men's 3m Prelim
Youssef Selim – 2nd – 363.60
David Hoffer – 11th – 321.20
Men's 3m Championship
Youssef Selim – 4th – 714.60
David Hoffer – 5th – 703.30
Wednesday
Women's Platform Prelim
Mara Aiacoboae – 1st – 284.20
Women's Platform Championship
Mara Aiacoboae – 1st – 589.40
Men's Platform Prelim
Heikki Makikallio – 3rd – 353.35
Youssef Selim – 9th – 298.75
Men's Platform Championship
Heikki Makikallio – 1st – 768.55
Youssef Selim – 8th – 616.50
Divers in BOLD advance to NCAA championships.