March 16, 2008

Men's and Women's Platform Final Results

HOUSTON (SMU)-- Audra Egenolf is the lone Mustang diver to qualify for the NCAA meet on the final day of the Zone D Diving Championships. Egenolf finished third in the platform finals with 523.90 points to earn her ticket to the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships to be held March 20-22 on the campus of Ohio State.

Matthew Culbertson finished third on the platform finals for the men, but was just edged out by Missouri's Dante Jones. Culbertson scored 600.60 on the platform, less than 12 points behind second and just over 20 points outside first.

"Matt just missed," said head coach Jim Stillson. "He dove very well and just missed qualifying. But it was a particularly tough day for the girls. If Audra placed in the top three in platform, she would make the meet. If Audra didn't place in the top three, Britney Yancey was the next to get picked up. It was exactly the situation we didn't want to be in. Audra was in the driver's seat today and she dove very well. It's a very emotional situation for everyone. The girls are very supportive of each other, but it's hard on them. And it's difficult as a coach. You obviously want your athletes to do well, but it's wrenching to see one make it and other just miss. It's both a no-lose and a no-win situation and it's very hard for everyone."

Egenolf will join the eight members of the SMU women's swimming team headed for the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships next weekend, March 20-22. For the complete schedule and results, log on to SMUMustangs.com.

2008 NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIERS
Men's
1. Mike Wong Texas
2. Gregory DeStephen Missouri
3. Jonathan Wilcox Texas
4. Matthew Cooper Texas
5. Dante Jones Missouri

2008 NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIERS
Women's
1. Lacey Truelove Houston
2. Ginni van Katwijk Houston
3. Mary Yarrison Texas
4. Courtney Forcucci Houston
5. Kathryn Kelly Texas
6. Kendra Melnychuk Missouri
7. Madison Palmer Arkansas
8. Audra Egenolf SMU