The Indiana women’s swim and dive team will be sending three athletes to the NCAA Championships following its meet Wednesday at the Donald B. Canham Natatorium in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Senior Kristen Hayden and sophomore Tarrin Gilliland will compete for the Hoosiers in Atlanta, Georgia, on March 16.
Gilliland, the reigning national champion in the 3-meter platform, finished in first place with a score of 632.25, which was 40 points above the second place finisher. Gilliland saved her best dive for last, finishing her day with an inward 3 ½ somersault tuck from 10 meters which earned an 81.60.
Hayden finished the competition in eighth place with a score of 507.00. She was in 13th place following the preliminary dives, but she came back strong in her final five dives to qualify for the NCAA Championships.
Indiana head diving coach Drew Johansen was pleased with the way the team’s veterans have performed down the stretch.
“This great team culture that we have and all the team spirit we felt at the pool this week,” Johansen said. “That was because of their leadership and what they have done during their time at IU.”
Sophomore Anne Fowler was the third qualifier for Indiana, finishing second place in the 3-meter platform with a score of 664.95. Coach Johansen said he believes the results will carry over in future competitions.
“Qualifying three on the women’s side is a great showing,” Johansen said. “All of them placing in the upper third of the field bodes well for success at the NCAA meets coming up.”
