Courtesy: Pitt Athletics
PITTSBURGH – The University of Pittsburgh diving team kicked off the season with a strong performance against Duquesne Friday night at Trees Pool. The women’s team swept the Dukes in the 1M and secured the second and third podium spots in the 3M. The men’s 1M and 3M events consisted only of Pitt divers.
“It was pretty good for the first event,” said head diving coach Katie Kasprzak. “I saw good performances and good dives out of everybody. There were a few errors that we need to work on, but that is why we start early. We have a long season and I think the future is going to be good.”
Senior Amy Read set a new personal record with 303.60 points to secure a first-place finish in the women’s 1M.
Freshman Cameron Cash dominated the men’s 3M in his collegiate debut with 359.33 points, leading his fellow Panthers by a margin of over 85 points.
Women’s 1M Final:
1. Amy Read – 303.60* – PR (previously 303.30)
2. Serena Buchwald – 276.83*
3. Claire McDaniels – 267.38*
4. Emma Gravgaard – 266.93*
4. Meredith Gould – 266.93*
6. Jess Vega – 261.38
* = NCAA Qualifying Score (265+)
Men’s 3M Final:
1. Jackson Salisbury – 296.48
2. Wesley Ahart – 280.20
3. Josh Parquet – 227.33
Women’s 3M Final:
2. Serena Buchwald – 286.50*
3. Meredith Gould – 254.78
4. Emma Gravgaard – 248.33
5. Claire McDaniels – 237.90
* = NCAA Qualifying Score (280+)
Men’s 1M Final:
1. Cameron Cash – 359.33*
2. Jackson Salisbury – 274.13
3. Wesley Ahart – 269.18
* = NCAA Qualifying Score (300+)
The Panthers are back in action at Trees Pool tomorrow, Saturday Oct. 2 at 11 a.m. with a relays-only meet against Carnegie Mellon. The meet will be available for streaming on ACCNX.
Courtesy: Duquesne Athletics
PITTSBURGH – Duquesne diver Sidney O’Donnell (Solon, Ohio / Solon) broke her own school record on the 3-meter boards in the Dukes’ season-opener on Friday night against Pitt at Trees Pool. In addition, the junior qualified for the NCAA Zone A Diving Championship with her performance in just the first meet of the season.
O’Donnell posted a score of 289 in the event, shattering her own school record of 287.45, pacing all competitors in the 3-meter. She added a score of 260 on the 1-meter for the Dukes, as well.
Freshmen Julia Doolittle and Morgan Doolittle made their Duquesne debuts on Friday night. Morgan registered scores of 221 (3-meter) and 192 (1-meter) while Julia posted scores of 208 (3-meter) and 188 (1-meter) for the Dukes on the night.
Head diving coach Jeanine Stright: “The Pitt Diving Invitation was an awesome way to begin the season. Our junior diver, Sidney O’Donnell started off the first meet winning 3-meter springboard, as well as qualifying for NCAA Zones and breaking her own school record with a score of 288.60. Her 1 meter scored 259 points, which was only 6 points shy from qualifying for Zones on that board. She is such a hard worker and a beautiful diver. I am so excited to see how she performs the rest of the season.”
The two freshmen, Julia Doolittle and Morgan Doolittle, are a great addition to the team. They are learning new dives fast, and I have no doubt they will be putting up big scores for the Team soon. They handled their first college competition very well, and each day they train, they get better and better. I look forward to working with them and helping them grow as athletes.
I am so proud of these girls and love working with them. I can’t wait to see what the rest of the season will bring.”
NEXT UP
Duquesne hosts James Madison at Towers Pool on Saturday, Oct. 16 at 1 p.m.