After three days of competition at the NCAA Zone “D” Diving Regionals in Houston, Texas, junior Sean McKinney and freshman Cassie Weil qualified to represent LSU at the NCAA Championships.

Weil’s total score of 662.70 in the three-meter event on the first night of competition was good for third place and an automatic qualification for the national meet. McKinney scored a 769.65 in the three-meter on the second day to qualify.

“I’m blessed and fortunate to have athletes that are going to be representing Louisiana State University at the elite collegiate level,” said diving coach Doug Shaffer in a news release. “It is an honor and a testament to the hard work and dedication of the divers.”

The team almost sent a third diver to the national championships, but junior Kevin Leong’s third best all-time score on the platform of 675.20 left him in fifth place and barely on the outside looking in.

“Kevin fought hard and did some really good things,” said Shaffer. “I hope it opens his eyes to what his potential is. He really is on the verge of breaking through.”

Because Weil qualified for the national championships on the first day of regionals, Shaffer said she was able to use the remaining days of competition as a chance to warm up for the national championship meet.

“For Cassie, I tried to paint a picture of putting her in a situation where she could use this as a learning experience going into the national championships,” Shaffer said. “Right now we’re looking at the next level.”

The NCAA meet will be held in Indianapolis, Ind., at the Indiana University Natatorium. The women’s competition will take place March 21 – 23 and the men’s will take place from March 28 – 30.